Travels with Charlie: Our Unexpected Wonderful Day

The dock at Log Boom Park on Lake Washington
Photo by Gordon Snyder

With all the Horrible News bombarding us constantly, here’s a few moments I’d like to share…

Many of you have followed Travels with Charlie: stories over the last few years.

 
This Travel is a remarkable Bonus for me. I’ve wrestled with trying to write with words what happened;

Everyday, it is Special to be walking with my Buddy Charlie. But, this is our Unexpected Wonderful Day. We were sniffing our way around Log Boom Park. Already had a couple of Dog greetings and nice People conversations. All good as we continued walking…

THEN… along the sidewalk, I noticed a young lady using a White Cane walking holding onto a man. She was walking slowly, short steps, holding his arm, tapping her white cane with a thunk.

I didn’t want Charlie and I to be a distraction to them so we continued around another way to the beach path…

Our Unexpected Wonderful Day

Circling back, we caught up to them as they walked on the wide concrete by the playground. I brought Charlie to a close heel as we walked slowly alongside of a young Woman and Dad (maybe). Her right hand holding a white cane and her left hand on her Dad’s…

As we walked by, I caught his eye and said Hello. Then we stopped, Charlie sat with manners, giving me a chance to introduce him. This is kinda a normal routine for him meeting new people.

Today was different. This young Person was blind. (see my comment below *). So I carefully said “this is Charlie, would you like to say Hi?” Then, I noticed she had her hand on her Dad’s and he was Signing her my question… "Yes!" he said… She reached down and touched the top of his furry head. She let out a Joyous Squeal and Charlie jumped and ran one of his Happy Circles.

I can't imagine how much courage that took to reach down and pet? No Sight! No Sound! and still pet a dog named Charlie...

Next, Charlie back to sitting, I said "want to pet his ears?” Signed. "Yes!"

This time she actually fluffed his ear for a long moment and Charlie did not move until she was thrilled and giggled.

Afterwards, her Dad said "Thanks for Sharing." I patted him on the shoulder and said "Oh, Thank You for Sharing."

As we left, I asked him to tell her "Enjoy the Sunshine” because I know she felt it.

I’ve been thinking about these moments since.

Cheers Everyone,
Gordon Snyder

Charlie was perfect. 
Photo by Gordon Snyder

* At that instant, I flashed back to the end of Covid Summer 5 years ago when a 4 year old dog moved in. 

He spent his first four years in a small wire kennel. He only knew how to sit for food. He had no idea about being a dog. He is a very smart guy, but just missed his first 4 years. 

We named him Charlie for starting his new life. No Muscles or coordination skills, Didn’t know how to play or even be petted, didn’t know how to sniff or air scent when outside… He wouldn’t get within 30 feet of another person or child or dog. 

Scared and defensive; he even bit me may times, but my family said Gordon you are a Dog Guy, so fix him… Over the next year, he became a happy dog and learned to keep his past forgotten. He learned to greet people, kids and dogs. And then we started Travels with Charlie stories and many of you know him from then on. 

Look at him now… He’s a confident Park Greeter Dog.