The Rainbow Bridge

My Momma is writing this message in honor of me since I am now at the Rainbow Bridge with my family and friends. I haven't been well lately, and began having fainting spells during walks or when I tried to climb the stairs. They lasted about three weeks, and then my last day with Momma and Sophia had two that caused me to be unable to stand. Since it was Sunday, Momma made me comfortable in my bed and said we would go to the doctor the next morning. Well, I was having a hard time breathing, and think there was another one that during the night while Momma and Sophia were sleeping next to me. Momma woke up at 4:30, and knew I had crossed the bridge. She got a warm washcloth and cleaned me up; wrapped me in a fresh blanket (my favorite yellow & brown - the one in my pictures). She was hoping that I was just sleeping, but now there was no more pain and now I am running with friends in heaven. Early in the morning (February 13, 2012), she took me to the doctor who said I had already crossed the bridge. Momma thinks my heart was too tired to keep beating. Momma cried and kissed me on the mouth before the nurse took me away to be cremated. My ashes will be returned to Momma and Sophia in three weeks with my paw print. Then, I will sit next to Sophia on the desk. She is in a little urn.

Thank you to everyone who was kind to me, petted me, told me I was a wonderful boy and gentleman. A special thank you to my skin-sister A. for loving me. You know, I will miss snuggling with Sophia and feeling Momma's hand on my back as I slept. I think Momma and Sophia will miss me greatly, and we had a good life in the last five years.

With love,
Charlie Barley

We are Moving and I Celebrate my 12th Birthday

We are moving to a new place that has a big dog and two animals that look like mountain lions. Hmp! I think they are called cats and we should have lots of fun chasing them away from our front door. I think they are relatives though and live with my skin sister and her husband, so Sofia and I should be on our best behavior.

Momma and my skin sister, Sofia and I are driving from Seattle to California. It should be so much fun because both of us love long car rides. We get so excited when Momma says "Go bye-bye?"

Also, my 12th birthday is in April, and I will celebrate with Sophia. We will be living in California in May. I hope everyone in the neighborhood likes us because we are good pups. Plus we look snazzy when we go for walks.

I will write again when we are settled in our new home and tell you all about our trip.

My Birthday Is Almost Here

Momma says we are going to celebrate my 11th birthday on April 14 (the day we became a family). She has lots of surprises for me and I think there will be a birthday party just for my doggie pals. Let's see, I will send invitations to: Jak, Bisa, Hank, and Jasmine to come over to eat treats. Can't wait!!!

November Update

Wow, it has been a while since Momma has written about me. Let's see what I can tell you since August. I really liked the sunshine this summer, and have met three new friends. Bisa, Hank and Jasmine live close to my house, and we play near the playfield. Bisa is a big dog, and I love to run after her while she fetches the ball. Hank and Jasmine (Yorkies) fight over the ball, so I just watch them, and bark to hurry up so we can run again.

On December 22, I am going to California to celebrate my first Christmas with Momma. She bought me a special stocking, and told me there will be surprises hidden inside. Yippee...I like surprises. Also, I am having my picture taken with Santa in a few weeks.

It may snow today, and you know that I am not crazy about getting my paws wet especially when it rains really hard. Momma thinks I will be okay and tells me "Charlie, you can make yellow snow". Yellow, smellow - I wonder if I could wear snow booties and be able to run?

Well, thanks for reading about me, and hope Santa leaves lots of presents under the tree for you. To my special friends in Minnesota, Beth, Joe, Sophia, Aspen, Skye, Elizabeth and Oakley "Merry Christmas". A big hug to my foster Mom Juanita, who made it possible for me to live with Momma.

Love, Charlie Barley and his Momma

**Support Your Local Rescue Shelter**

Ouch - My Mouth Hurts

Well, I have a sore mouth. Momma took me to the vet for surgery on July 12 and had several toofies removed plus a non-cancerous tumor from my side. Also, Momma had the vet put a microchip inside me (can't feel it) in case I am lost. Anyway, my mouth was very sore but I could still eat. On August 6, I went to a special dental doctor (Dr. Dupont) to have my lower canine teeth removed. The other vet was worried she would break my jaw if she removed them. He took such good care of me, and gave me pills to help me relieve the pain. Momma makes sure all of my food is soft. Boy, I think I will tell Momma that is enough surgery for a while.

Guess what? I discovered how to jump up on Momma's bed and it is soft plus smells sweet. In my house, I have two beds, plus now Momma's bed belongs to me, too.

I sure like my new home with Momma. When we go for walks, people will stop to pet me and say what a nice doggie I am. Momma just smiles and as we walk away she says "Charlie, did you hear that? You are such a good doggie and handsome". Of course, I am busy sniffing and covering up the other doggies scent marks. Secret: I know Momma really loves me and is proud of me. Sometimes she will whisper that she is sorry that I had a tough life before I came to live with her. There will be tears in her eyes, so I lick her hand.

In a few weeks, I am going to see Bonnie, my groomer for a haircut. Momma says I look like a wooly mammoth.

Well, thanks for reading my diary and I still haven't had my official birthday yet. Momma said very soon because I can't stay 10 forever.

Woofers to all of my friends, Charlie Barley

My First Vacation with Momma

Well, I went for my first vacation with Momma to California. Guess what? I didn't know how much fun it was to scare cats! My human sister has a big dog, and two cats who are really very nice. But, I decided they shouldn't be in the house with me or Lucy. I think I am in trouble for the next visit at Christmas time, and will have to be trained to leave them alone. Momma says "this is their home, Charlie" and "barking at them is bad manners." What is a dog to do? Guess I will be quiet when I see them again especially since Harley is just a kid, and Mr. Spike is an elderly gentleman like me.

When, I came back from our fun vacation, Momma took me to the vet and had a bunch of teeth removed (ouch, it hurts) and surgery on my side. I haven't been feeling too well the last few days, and need to see a doggie dentist for another evaluation. Crumb! Pretty soon they will call me "gummer".

A really nice lady in Minnesota who has five Yorkie sent me the best presents. A pretty blue pumpkin bed, new harness and toys. Wow! I must be pretty special, I feel special.

Well, I think I need to take another nap and will write again. Charlie Barley

Saturday Yorkie Meetup

Mom is taking me to another Yorkie Meetup today so I can play with other four leggers. I love my walks in the morning and evening because there are lots of pups (little and great big ones) to visit. I get so excited, and even stand on my back legs so I can reach them. Perhaps I am too old because when I meet the little puppies, I kind of ignore them (they are just kids).

Last week, Momma bought a new harness, collar and leash for me. She said it makes me look so handsome - what does that mean?

In July, we are going on a big bird and Momma says it is called an airplane. I don't know if I have ever been on a plane. We are going to practice having me stay in the Sherpa bag a few minutes every day because I will be riding in the plane with Momma under the seat. The trip only takes 2 hrs, and then we will drive to a town called Petaluma, California to finally meet my sister. She has a big dog and two cats; oh, a nice husband, too.

I will write again about my trip and take a picture to show everyone. Love, Charlie

Welcome Home

As I open the door following a day at work, an excited yipping is welcoming me home. I place my bags down, pick up this wiggling, bundle of joy who wants me to hold him close before we go outside for a long walk. So very social, talks to all of the other doggies on their walks and pees over other pup's scents. So funny to watch him and he finishes with a tremendous look of pride. As if to say "my spot now"! OR until the next walk tomorrow morning.