It is well known that all dogs go to heaven, so Charlie who was diagnosed with cancer in January of this year, and died on the morning of June 19 will be in good company when he gets there — as the community adjusts to not seeing the sunglasses wearing Sheltie cruising through the community in style.
"He actually outlived the vet's prediction," said his owner Lauren Wunderlich. "He had lymphoma, and his lymph nodes had gotten really swollen again, the cancer has worked its way around the medications he has been on, and once that happens, it is pretty much the end."
Wunderlich had never had a dog before Charlie. The eight-year-old was re-homed to her three and a half years ago by his original pet parents the McQueens who own Urban Forest Bistro in downtown Duncan. Wunderlich said Charlie belonged to the father of the family who encountered a huge medical crisis, which brought him to a new living situation that unfortunately did not allow dogs. She had gotten to bond with Charlie as both a family friend and one of his dedicated walkers over the span of a year prior, and was more than happy to be his new fur-ever home.
Donning doggie goggles, this cool canine was always seen riding in fine fashion either by backpack, or in his bike trailer for the past three years. In the first four months of having him, Wunderlich purchased the special backpack, and a pair of pet specific sun glasses for her top dog.
"Whenever we would go fast down a hill, Charlie would hide his head and eyes from the wind," said Wunderlich. "From the moment I put them on him, he was content to wear them, and it was same with the backpack, I plopped in there one day, and he did not put up a fuss with any of it."
When it came to the humans of the community, Charlie would steal hearts where ever he went. She said she was always being approached by people, and was told by one woman that her daughters would watch out their living room window in hopes that they might see Wunderlich and Charlie ride by.
"He was my best friend," said Wunderlich. "Now, that I've experienced life with a dog, I can't picture life without one. Charlie has shown me how great it is to have a dog best friend."
Charlie not only left a lasting impression on her, but also on the entire community as the sight of him always brought a slew of sincere smiles.
"Charlie would say thank you so much for all the attention and the treats," said Wunderlich. "There was never a shortage of people giving him attention, and he loved it. I would urge people to give a rescue or re-homing a chance, because Charlie was absolutely fantastic. How many dogs can you plop into a backpack and they couldn't be happier about it? He was just the best little guy."
