From Heartbreak To Hope- A Photo Essay-Photo Essay Contest

Photo Essay Contest. 

 On January 4th 2004, my dog had a puppy and then about 10 minutes later, my dad passed away. I named that dog Charlie after my dad. He had a white spot on his chest that resembled a cross. I considered him a gift from my father. Charlie was very special to me. He followed me everywhere and protected me from everything. He was a very beautiful dog.

Then on October 13th 2006, he got loose from the house. I looked for him for almost a week. Then I got the dreaded call. Charlie had been hit and killed by a car. I was crushed. I could not believe that my best friend had been taken away from me. My heart was broke. My arms ached to hold him again.

We brought Charlie home and buried him out in the dog pen so he could be close to the other dogs and so I could go out and talk to him whenever I needed to. This is his final resting place. I decorate it for all the holidays and I talk to him everyday.

Before Charlie got killed, he managed to get my other dog pregnant. On November 26th, two puppies were born but only one survived, a little girl who I named Charlotte. Charlotte looked just like her dad and even had a small white spot on her chest.

She was beautiful and I so needed something to fill the empty place in my heart. But there was a problem with her. She could not walk. She had a condition called Swimmer Puppy. Her back legs worked but her front legs only "swam". It broke my heart watching her because I thought my only piece of Charlie wasn't going to live.

After consulting with a vet, we started trying to teach her to walk. One thing that really helped was to put a blanket on the floor. It made the house look messy and it was inconvienent at times, but I didn't care. I would do anything to help my Charlotte.

My wonderful boyfriend built a special device to help keep Charlotte's legs together. This device and daily exercises was a real big help to her. We gave her lots of encouragement.

Very slowly, she learned to walk using this device.

Most times she found a small reward at the end of her tunnel.

It wasn't too long before she started trying to stand up on her front legs. She was real wobbly at first but after awhile it became easier for her.

She still wobbles a little when she walks but her legs are now closer together at all times. The muscles are getting stronger. We continue to do exercises with her.

Charlotte is so much like Charlie in many different ways. She follows me everywhere and protects me from everything. Charlotte showed me that you can overcome what life throws at you. Charlotte has helped my heartbreak turn into hope. 

To see Charlotte in action, click here.