Coping with the loss of a pet can be one of life's most difficult experiences. It's not easy to say goodbye—even when you love and protect animals as a rescuer. That's what we discovered when we had to decide it was time to put to sleep our older gentleman, Charlie.

As director of 'New Leash on Life!', I have seen many homeless animals on my many tours of local animal shelters to identify breeds for rescuers to rescue. But a few months ago, on a trip through the San Antonio Animal Control, a gentle smiling face looked out at me through one of the cages.  He was with other dogs but when I walked in, he immediately homed his gaze on me.  Ignoring all the barking and commotion, he walked over to greet me.  Even in his situation, he even seemed to be happy to see me.  I knew he was older and may not be adoptable but he also had so much love to share...

The San Antonio Animal Control staff had caught the dog from a street corner on a scorching hot day.   And because no one had claimed him within the 3 day limit, the shelter staff planned to euthanize him as he was considered 'unadoptable'. He was said to be a "spitz" only 6 years old but I knew with the knowledge in his eyes, he was much older.  How much older, I couldn't tell as we aren't allowed to examine the dogs but I knew he couldn't stay here.  And he was a specific breed, an American Eskimo Dog.

When I returned home, I couldn't forget the face that stared intently from the cage he was in.  I told my husband about the dog that would be coming to our rescue...knowing that there may be possibility that we may never find him his 'forever' home.  But then, we could love him as our own...just as we do with all of our babies.  The next day, I rescued him and another sickly Eskie.  Both were taken to the vets and checked out.  The other dog needed much more attention. He was fine...but needed to be quarantined. 

After his rescue and he was finally at my home, Charlie began to grow into a wonderful family pet and a companion for the other rescued dogs.  As soon as I would fill up the kiddie swimming pools, he would go in and lay smack dab in the middle...lapping water occasionally.  Then, turn his head to see where I was.  If I moved away, he would follow.  He was great with everyone...wanting only love.  Giving only love.

Two months later, I noticed arthritis attacking Charlie's hind legs, making it very painful for him to walk. He endured...with medications.  He would still follow me around the yard with this great big Eskie smile and loving eyes.  Charlie was a charmer all right!  Then, it got worse, he would stumble...but always get up and smile.  I took him to the vets again, just to make sure there wasn't anything more we could do for him as he got weaker in the legs.   We put him on another medicine to help with the pain.

I didn't realize how much pain he was in, but I soon would find him not able to move his backend.  At first, I would carry him around the house, to the bathroom and he just needed a bit of support for balance.  But then, he couldn't get up.  He was in too much pain and his old back and legs wouldn't work for him anymore. I couldn't carry him without pain...I began to realize that this time I couldn't save him. 

It was one of the saddest days of my life when I took him into the vets for the last time.  Even though I knew he needed me to be strong...I couldn't.  It was then that he kissed me and looked at me with those loving eyes...this time seeming to know that I would do anything to help him.  Now I was not only losing one of my rescued dogs, I was losing my companion.  For the short time that I had him, he made a true impact on my life...I love and miss him dearly!  Charlie, you will always be in my heart...