Thursday, June 24, 2010

The Looks of Charlie

Like many places across the country, we've had record breaking heat! The Goldens seem to take it all in stride and being Goldens they have not complained at all--In fact, Sam as you can see is soaking it all up!

Charlie on the other hand is not so "heat-tolerant." Being a Wheaten Terrier his coat is a very thick and heavy continually growing one that doesn't shed. The last few weeks Charlie has been laying on top of the air-conditioning vents and any other place where "cool" can be found. Even short walks have left him hot and panting. This has all signaled what I already knew, that its been 4 months and it's time for a trip to the groomers for a summer haircut!

I can never decide which of Charlie's looks I like the best. I really love when his coat is all grown out and fluffy and he has hair in his eyes. I do wonder how well he can see though. The other day I tossed him a treat and he couldn't see it coming towards him.
However, when Charlie returns from the groomers like he did today, he is totally transformed into a whole other dog with a totally different appearance. It's so easy to see that he's happy to be rid of his heavy coat. I like this look because I can see his eyes, especially his very bright blue one. When we first got Charlie, I used to think it was a bit "spooky" looking because I was so used to the brown eyes of the Goldens. Below is another one of Charlie's looks that I'd forgotten about. I was looking through some papers for the dogs today and I came across the paperwork with this picture that I received from the shelter where Charlie came from nearly 4 years ago. He came to us via Old English Sheepdog Rescue, and we "thought" that he was a sheepdog mix. Very soon I'll tell you Charlie's story of rescue and his lost chance at stardom--But as you can see, 4 years has made a difference for him. And in return, he's made a difference for me too--I love my "little man" no matter how he looks!

28 comments:

  1. OMG! That picture is pitiful, But isn't Charlie just the loveliest cuddly pup now! Long or short hair...he is just the best. xxx

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  2. What a great post about Charlie. He sure has come a long way from that sad looking, skinny little boy in that picture from 4 years ago. I like his eyes too. Looks like Golden Pines agrees with him. Lucky boy, Lucky all.

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  3. Hey there Kim
    You certainly have done wonders for Charlie...he's gorgeous!
    I was looking through my breed encyclopedia last evening (contemplating breeds) and yes, I did stop at the Wheaten Terrier (as well as the Norfolk Terrier). Its good to know about their battle with heat...probably wouldn't do well here. Thanks for sharing your life with us and that of your beautiful rescues. We love you....Doggie Angel!

    Lotsaluv
    MAXMOM IN SA

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  4. You looked cute before your hair cut, now you look cool Charlie!

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  5. Charlie is so happy with his new "do" one of my goldens, after she was old i would shave her in the summer...i thought she looked darling and she LOVED it!

    looking forward to Charlies story! how are the golden boys adapting?
    xoxo

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  6. OMG what a difference, I mean what a huge difference. How could anyone do that to a dog?

    We are having a cooler day today by the look of it. Rain though for all the weekend, which sucks.

    Take care,

    Gill in Canada

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  7. Good Morning!
    Charlie is a beautiful boy, cut or uncut! Bet his body temp went down after the cut!
    Now, that rescue poster of him - is like one of the children from Bangladesh! Tear your heart out!
    You have done wonders for him, Kim!

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  8. Isn't it amazing that you are having some record breaking heat and we are having some record breaking coolness ~ let's switch some air and even it out a bit! :)

    Charlie is so adorable ~ with or with out lots of hair ~ ha!

    I look forward to reading his story!

    Have a wonderful weekend Kim!
    xo Catherine

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  9. Kim, that last picture is pitiful - I'm so glad you rescued him and gave him a wonderful life. He is a beautiful confident dog now with either look - summer or winter. I applaud you and the work you do.

    ((HUGS))
    Lynn

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  10. Oh Charlie! What a lucky boy you are. Kim, look at what you have done for him! That is an amazing transformation!

    As is the transformation from winter dog to summer dog. And, you're right, Charlie is adorable both ways.

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  11. Poor little sweetie Charlie! He needs a good cut and a huge cuddle, you are so lucky Kim to have those sweet guys to love on! Have a great weekend and I hope the weather cools a little for you and the pups!
    Tina xo

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  12. oh Kim he HAS come a long way! I love his summer look with the shaved body and fluffy ears.
    My Dalmatian Dixie was severely abused and left for dead. Had no hair, couldn't walk or stand, had kidney trouble, no muscle mass, no hearing, mites, heartworms-you name it.
    4 years later she looks like a show dog, outruns my car, and the only thing we couldn't fix was her hearing. She has minimal hearing, but I have been teaching her sign language so she gets along really well. I know what you mean about your boy. She is my girl.

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  13. Woof! Woof! Oh Charlie ... Golden Pines surely did wonders to you. You are very lucky. And SAM ... such a Golden Thing. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  14. That last picture is terrible, but I'm glad to hear that Charlie now his summer coat!

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  15. OMG, THAT was Charlie? Wow, have you taken good care of him! He looks so much happier now!

    I'm so glad you rescued him!!

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  16. I just came across your blog -- I do not have a blog myself (my mum is too lazy to do it!!) but I LUV reading about other blogs and the pups that are rescued. Yes, Charlie is adorable and so are your other dogs!!! I am not "breed specific" (in other words, I have so many breeds in me that even the vet cannot say what breed I am) but my mum and my kitty sisters and brother still luv me. I sometimes see JackDaddy and TG and the dog park (which is how I come by all the blogs). Anyway -- keep up the good foster work.

    LUV from Tucson AZ (105 today)

    Cody

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  17. I am Max's groomer. It's a lot cheaper that way. I did Pierre, too, before he passed away. Pierre was awful. He hated it, and I nicked him a few times...which I felt awful for. Max, our poodle, on the other hand, falls asleep when I cut his hair. When I first started it would take me hours to do them, and it looked pathetic. Now, I think I do pretty good with Max, and it only takes 30-45 minutes depending on how shaggy he's gotten.
    ~Randy

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  18. Transformations in more ways than one. The shelter picture is so sad and now he is such a happy boy.

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  19. Charlie looks like a puppy! So cute! You definitely have some happy dogs. I never would have guessed that Charlie had such a traumatic experience.

    And I agree about blue eyes. I also find them a bit spooky, especially in herding dogs!

    Stay cool!

    -C

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  20. Charlie looks much happier without all that fur!!

    Lots of slobber,
    Droopy and Callie

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  21. It's hard to believe that happy healthy boy is the same dog as the skinny pitiful one. Thank you for all you do for these wonderful animals!

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  22. What an amazing transition, Charlie in the Animal shot photo does not look like the same dog. What a wonderful life you have given him and he obviously appreciates it.



    Sheila & Bob

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  23. I think he looks good in both his summer and winter wear!

    Sam

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  24. hot here too kim...
    the dogs hate this weather and look bored and listless!!

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  25. Little curly locks Charlie was very cute- all fluffy for sure.
    But now he is looking super cool. I think I would like looking at his eyes too and seeing the contented happy look on his face.
    He looked so sad when you got him.
    Charlie- you are prince charming.
    love
    tweedles

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  26. I can't believe the last picture!
    Charlie, thank god you found Kim and Carl. I'm looking forward to the rest of the story.
    I really think you are a wonderful person with a big heart.

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  27. Charlie looks good before your hair cut and now!

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!