Charlie

Charlie is a tiny tiny dog that I walk.

Charlie is very skittish! At least she used to be, until…2 days ago.

See, I walk another 2 dogs beside her. And they are both much bigger! And they go crazy, the second I park my car! ….Not Charlie!

Charlie usually prefers to hide.

I usually let myself in, as I have a key to the place. And all I need to do, before Charlie came into the picture, was to just get in, place leads on Lacey & Luna, and off we go for an hour run/walk on the trails.

Not lately, as like I mentioned, Charlie..hides. So I have to take my boots off, and go look for her, underneath furniture..beds..etc. And when I usually find her, she’s shivering.

During our latest walk, something shifted in Charlie!

I had picked her up, and hugged her while walking. The other two were walking along with bushy tails and big doggie smiles on their faces! And I thought, for the first time, I saw Charlie smile too?!!!!!

As I glanced at her, hugging her and warming her up in my arms, she suddenly looked!? Happier!

At first, I thought I was imagining! But then, as we walked and walked, I felt her tiny body relax! And at one point, she even quietly snuggled her tiny head, between my neck and chin! I felt…over the moon!

As we walked some more, she placed one of her paws..on my hand! Now?! I was…about to burst into tears, as I squeezed her tighter to my chest.

I underestimated Charlie’s fearful, always trembling and extremely quiet character!

Charlie, ‘feels’. She is definitely capable of knowing, of learning…I am her guardian on our walks, and that she can feel safe, in my arms! What a feeling that was!

It was a reminder, to never underestimate little tiny dogs again! To not ‘assume’, they are any less, than the bigger ones! To never subconsciously, criticize their fearful nature, doubt their intelligence, or/and their ability to show trust.. with a little stretch of a tiny little paw, or a quiet snuggle underneath a human chin.