Charles E. Douglas

(Crossed over the Rainbow Bridge 5/20/2008)

Charles E. Douglas "Charlie"

On Tuesday morning, May 20, 2008 we lost our dear friend "Charlie". A.K.A. Charles E. (East) Douglas, professional D.O.G. (as we lovingly referred to him). He was named after my father Charles W. (West) Douglas on December 31, 2002. At that time my father was fighting cancer and happened to have a burst of energy on that particular New Year's Eve day. He got dressed and told my mother that he was going out for a while. He came home with "Charlie" whom he had rescued knowing that he probably would have been put down because we was an older dog. Charlie was by my father's side for the next eight months until my father passed away on August 16, 2003. At the time my mother was in the hospital recovering from a broken hip and Charlie needed a home. The day after my father passed I showed up at their empty house with the exception of Charlie, whom the kind neighbor had been letting out. That night Charlie and I quickly bonded when we both slept in my father's bed holding each other all night long. He quickly adapted to his new home in Pittsburgh.

Five months later my mother joined my father and Charlie once again comforted me in his quiet loving manor. For the next two years Charlie and I enjoyed our living in Pittsburgh with many walks by the river and through the Northside parks and visiting with his very good friends, Muffin and AJ, and of course all the people friends he had too! (Many whom he just saw on Sunday, May 18 at a party at our home. He had fun seeing all of you!)

In February 2006 Charlie and I made way to our new home in Youngstown, Ohio to live with Karla and his new feline friends, Bailey, Biscuit, and Precious. Over the last two years I have gone through two serious injury recoveries and Charlie has always been there each day, helping me to try and be other directed. He has been struggling with his own health issues over the last two years but has been a prime example to me to keep trying. He has bounced back so very many times and has remained gentle, loving and faithfully looking out for my presence and his constant need for our loving him back - he loved to be held. Even though his movements grew slower and sleep was always welcomed he always seemed to tap into what Karla and I have come to call his "wild hair time" every night, where Charlie would do his little hip-hop break dance - even on Monday night, within eight hours of his passing.

Like the first night we came together, he slept with me for the last time. At 5:30 on Tuesday morning I let him out. As we walked to the yard the sounds and smell of spring were strong. The birds were loud and the geese flew above. It was a beautiful morning until moments later when he collapsed walking back to the house. Karla quickly came outside and we held him in that morning air assuring him of our love as he passed from this life to the next unable to bounce back this one last time. At a friends suggestion we took him to Hillcrest-Flynn Pet Funeral Home & Crematory where Roberta Knauf compassionately and respectfully made our unbearable job a bit lighter by helping us in a remarkable way to do what had to be done.
The last two days have been very difficult and we are constantly reminded of our deep and painful loss, but the memorial box we now have in our living room and the necklace we each wear will hopefully make us remember all the unconditional love that Charlie taught us. As we sit outside each spring and summer we will still see his little body lying on his pillow -chin up and head tilted back, eyes closed and sniffing up all the fresh smells - one of his favorite things to do.

Little did my father know that upon his death he gave to me the best gift that I will treasure forever. I am a better person for having loved Charlie and during the difficult times in my life, like now, I hope I can remember his strength to endure and never stop loving. Thank you, Charles E. Douglas for your unconditional love and friendship. You were a great companion and we will hold you close within our hearts everyday until we meet you on the other side of "the rainbow bridge."

I love you and miss you! Mom (Ellen Douglas)

Add online condolences for Charles E. Douglas .