The cutest moments never get photographed.
You might not like hearing that, but it’s true. I don’t break a
moment or interrupt an interaction to go for my camera,
though there are times I wish I had shutters in my eyeballs…
Google’s solving that with their freaky glasses, I guess?
But I remember them.
Charlie with a silk cowboy kerchief draped across the back of his neck,
chasing the trailing ends like a kitten would chase its tail.
Mike coming by after a long day of working outside and sitting
down next to Charlie, and Charlie sticking his entire snout
(and face) into the sleeve of Mike’s t-shirt.
The expression Charlie gets when he gets me really laughing –
like hysterically laughing at his antics – and his eyes lock with mine
and ping “success!” and his grin is huge and bright.
Charlie sleeping. I love to watch him sleep. Sometimes when I wake up
at 3am, I turn on a dim light so I can lie in bed and just watch Charlie sleep for half an hour or so before going back to sleep myself.
one year ago:
Lots Of Yum
two years ago:
Play Day
three years ago:
Spending A Snow Day On A Rainbow
four years ago:
Sentry Over Her Still
five years ago:
Sweetest Pea {from the archive}
July 2nd, 2013 at 9:17 am
Thank you so much for writing today’s post. Pictures are great, but words from the heart are precious and intimate, a personal sharing that …. I can’t find all the right words. Just, thank you.
July 2nd, 2013 at 9:31 am
awwww…those are perfect pictures
July 2nd, 2013 at 9:44 am
This post makes me happy :).
July 2nd, 2013 at 9:53 am
The note about his expression makes me wonder if the ancient Americans who first told stories about trickster Coyote had actual coyote friends like you and Charlie. Too perfect!
July 2nd, 2013 at 9:53 am
I love that canines have a sense of humor and will actually try to make us laugh and enjoy doing it. Proof that they have a soul.
July 2nd, 2013 at 11:56 am
<3
July 2nd, 2013 at 12:51 pm
Thanks for the insight into his infectious personality!
July 2nd, 2013 at 3:57 pm
What a life overflowing with love. How wonderful each moment is.
Thank you for sharing each detail so perfectly.
July 2nd, 2013 at 4:45 pm
Shreve, whether you share pictures from your camera or from your heart, they are beautiful and always tell a heart warming story! Thank you for your artistry:)
July 2nd, 2013 at 6:19 pm
Whether those moments are photographed or not, you’ve still been generous enough to share them. Thank you, Shreve.
July 2nd, 2013 at 9:24 pm
Thank you – delicious!
July 2nd, 2013 at 10:00 pm
Those are the moments that are special to you and Charlie… they are your reward for your selfless care of him all these years. Enjoy them and never feel the need to apologize for not documenting them.. they were meant for you two not all of us.
July 3rd, 2013 at 12:13 am
I can see those pictures in my head from your descriptions.
I love to watch my dog sleep. I don’t turn on the light, but sometimes in the middle of the night I put out my hand just to touch him, sleeping on his side of the bed. He never wakes or changes his breathing. Although sometimes he sighs, a peaceful contented sort of sigh at my touch.
July 3rd, 2013 at 10:33 am
your loving words are just as much of a gift as your perfect pictures. i enjoy both equally.
July 3rd, 2013 at 1:00 pm
The pictures are in my head now, too – thank you!
We really have so much to learn from animals – enjoy life, be curious, sleep soundly.
July 5th, 2013 at 5:29 pm
This is poetry
July 2nd, 2020 at 10:55 am
I don’t think I’d seen this post before, but it’s already one of my favorites. I’m so glad you found each other. <3
February 20th, 2021 at 9:53 pm
I had not read this post before-but it made me smile and cry at the same time!! And so touched my heart-and my love and prayers continue to go out to you, as I know you miss Charlie so much and all of us who read all you wrote about him and looked at each wonderful photo you took and shared and loved him and you from across the country, miss him too. Charlie was more special and amazing than we ever could have imagined way back in the beginning-your love for each other, your amazing life together, was really something to behold-Charlie will live forever in out hearts. Thank you for sharing him with us all these years.