Hurricane Charlie
Dear Sponsor Pet Parent,
Over the years, North Shore Animal League America has been fortunate enough to rescue and care for many wonderful animals. Our Sponsor Program pets with special-needs are no exception. Because we care for them their entire lives, we build special bonds. We share in their joys and in their sorrows. And when one of them passes on, it affects us all.
It is with a broken heart that we write to you today to inform you that on June 24, 2009, our treasured Hurricane Charlie passed away. As his name suggests, Charlie came to us as part of the Hurricane Katrina rescue. Charlie had heartworms and an upper respiratory infection; but even worse, Charlie was in the late stages of kidney disease which required daily medication and special food. He also had some behavioral hurdles to overcome. Charlie seemed fearful of men and possessive of his food. The Animal League suspected possible physical abuse in Charlie’s past, as fear and worry are often common indicators. Charlie had a difficult beginning. Charlie was in the Animal League’s care for more than a year before a family inquired about him. They fell in love with his poignant story, and they fell in love with him. Hurricane Charlie started a new journey – rescued from Louisiana, nurtured in New York and then off to California with his adoptive family.
Lovingly known as Charlie Bear, he spent his days strolling on the beach and in the orchards, playing in the sand or searching for golf balls and being adored by his new family. Thanks to the patience and loving determination of his family, Charlie Bear was a changed dog. From love, his behavioral issues subsided and he learned to trust again.
Though Charlie’s early years were trying, his latter years were filled with love and adoration. Hurricane Charlie’s illness took him from our lives, but he forever lives in our hearts and his story will always grace the pages of North Shore Animal League America. We were blessed to have known him.
The Animal League would like to extend our deepest sympathy to his adoptive family, his Sponsors and to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
The Sponsor Team
