Updated on March 9, 2010:  See below

You can see Charlie's pictures below.

Nov. 25, 2009

Charlie looks like he could be a German Pinscher. He stumbled up to our gate, barely able to walk, sat down, then collapsed in front of our barking Aussies.

We brought him in, and he could hardly lift his head or stand. He looked like he was exhausted. He was skin and bones, had worms and fleas, had little bites and scratches all over his body and a torn ear. After forcing him to drink water and eat a little soft food, he slept on and off between feedings for 2 full days.

We wormed him and gave him a bath, and his fleas are gone. We will give him his vaccinations once he is stronger and healthier, if he has not been adopted. He was a bit scruffy looking, but has already gained weight and his coat is shiny now.

He weighs about 20 pounds now, and looks to be about 6 months old. His teeth look good, and he appears to have normal hearing and eye site. He follows us everywhere and is very responsive to learning.

He has learned not to eat the fingers along with the food, and to take food from the hand gently. We can put our hands around his food bowl and he is fine with it. He has already learned how to go potty on command outside. We take him outside about every 2 to 3 hours, or when he starts to whine.

He is acting more like a playful puppy everyday. He picked up a toy in a playful way today. He is a very loving puppy and willing to learn.

The only negative behavior we see at this time, (and we are working on it) is that he doesn't want to share us with any other dog. He makes a little growl and nips (he doesn't nip hard at all) at the other dog when they come around us.

We brought in Lisa, another puppy about 6 months old, who is a great teacher, to teach him to behave. She takes him down, lays on him, and flattens him out like a pancake until he settles down, then after he gets up, he behaves around her. He is a perfectly behaved puppy with a group of dogs around him. He only acts possessive when another dog is in the house with him. He is already showing improvement.

If you want to adopt Charlie, expect him to be clingy and possessive until he feels at home. He may also howl when he is alone, so you may want a babysitter for him when you leave the house, just until he feels at home. He is also a big dog in a little body. He is not afraid of anyone or anything and may get himself into trouble (similar in personality to a chihuahua). So far, he has not been a barker.

During the day he follows us around the house, lays in the chair next to us, or lays on the floor next to our feet. We have food and water available all day for him. He nibbles at the food all day long.

At night, he sleeps in a pen downstairs. He uses the litter box at night. He also covers up his waste like a cat. He's pretty good at holding himself.

Our overall evaluation of Charlie is that he behaves like a normal puppy his age. So far, we do not see any health issues or mental distress. If he continues as he has been, he should grow up to be a healthy happy adult.

February 18, 2010

Charley has developed mild and constant muscle spasms in his body, probably caused by malnutrition, or it could be hereditary. He does not appear to be in pain, and even though it is not getting any worse, it will likely be something he will have to live with for the rest of his life. Sometimes the spasms are barely noticeable, and other times more noticeable. He is not on any kind of medication.

Otherwise, he is happy, and has the most adorable personality.

Since he has gotten older, he looks more like a German Shepherd mix, and weighs about 60 pounds. He loves running around our acre and playing with his pack/family of Aussies. They treat him like a little brother, even though he is getting to be about as tall as our male Aussies. He is a beautiful boy.

He has been neutered and chipped, and is free to a family that will include him in all family activities. He can be returned if for any reason it doesn't work out.

Thank you for visiting our web site.

Here are some pictures taken of Charlie about a week after we took him in, looking scruffy and thin.

The following pictures were taken Nov. 25, 2009

Charlie has pine litter on his nose from covering his his waste, like a cat, in the litter box.

Pictures taken on March 9,2010 at about 10 months of age.