Charlie the Interview

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview a special needs Westie who is currently waiting for his forever home. His name is Charlie, 11 month old West Highland White Terrier who is up for adoption from Westie Rescue Southeast.

PRESTON: Hi Charlie great to meet you!
CHARLIE: Hi Preston! Do you want to play?
PRESTON: Charlie not now after the interview……Charlie please come back ..don’t get in the toy bin, I promise I’ll play with you..lets get the interview done first…Charlie, Charlie! Ok yes you can bring back a chew stick to chew on while we talk.
CHARLIE: Sorry Preston — you know how us puppies are full of energy and I love to run around and play at a moments notice. So whats up?

PRESTON: From my pre-interviews with your foster moms I heard that you came from a breeder and that you were a breeder release. Please tell us about your puppy months.
CHARLIE: Yes, I did come from a breeder. You know the type..puts ads in the papers, has us doggies in cages out back and whoever had the money gets us, even if they don’t have a good home. All the doggies from my litter was growing up and I was on the small size. Then they all got adopted but me! The breeder labeled me as a failure to thrive dog and knew she couldn’t sell me. So when Westie Rescue Southeast came along and my breeder agreed to give them of some of the old breeder dogs who were of no use to her she threw me into the lot as well.

PRESTON: Oh gosh Charlie sounds like you had a rough start with no one to love you! Your Petfinder bio lists you as a special needs Wesite. Can you explain to our readers why your forever home needs to give you some extra loving care?
CHARLIE: Sure thing Double P! When I got to my first foster home I was hungry all the time. I would eat and eat and eat. When you eat that much it all comes back out if you know what I mean. Hehehe! But I wasn’t gaining weight, I was losing it. So the best-est foster mommy in the whole wide world Teresa knew something was wrong and rushed me to the vet. After alot of tests and a couple of false leads they finally figured out I had EPI. They determined the cause just in the nick of time! I was down to 8 pounds..Yikes!

PRESTON: So what does EPI mean?
CHARLIE: Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, means my pancreas fails to normally secrete digestive enzymes. The vets don’t know how a dog gets EPI other than unlucky I guess! EPI never goes away and I will need medicine (Enzyme replacements) every day for the rest of my life. The powder is mixed in my food so I can get the nutrition I need out of my kibble. I will also need special food that is low fat, low fiber, and highly digestible.

PRESTON: I don’t want to be a downer, but will EPI affect how long you will be with your forever family?
CHARLIE: No way! I’m a normal very active puppy who loves to play, chase things, and of course get in puppy trouble. As long as I have my medication mixed in my food, and I have regular vet visits just to monitor I’ll live until my fur is white..well wait..my fur is already white..you know what I mean hehehe.

PRESTON: So how do you like staying in a foster home?
CHARLIE: I LOVE IT! First i lived up in Indiana (Ii was a Hoosier) with my mom who took such good care of me and got me all well and put my weight back on. I had a foster brother name Cooper who I liked to play with and an older sister named Lexi who tolerated me around. I have to thank Teresa for saving my life and figuring out what was going on with me. Then as the holidays got nearer I crossed over the Ohio River and now live in Kentucky with Elvis and you Preston. Having younger dog friends like you around have been great..so I can play more! And I have to mention you take me to the best doggie socials at OHS too each month!

Preston (left) and Charlie (right)

PRESTON: So tell me what do you like to do for fun?
CHARLIE: I love belly rubs and to play! I can play by myself, I love playing with another dog, and of course with my family. I sometimes get so excited about playing that I get a little snappy and need a puppy time out. But I am sure as I get older I will control my excitement better. Since I can’t eat regular treats (I am so sad about that..they smell so good) I eat carrots instead, and I LOVE them. Still being a puppy I do admit I get in trouble sometimes. Last week I found an extra roll of toilet paper and made the living room look like it snowed. My foster family wasn’t to happy but man I had a blast! And don’t worry Preston, I took the fall for it! I didn’t tell your mom and dad that you helped.

PRESTON: Shhh Charlie!! On the record I would like to officially state I had no part what so ever in the toilet paper incident! Charlie remind me to teach you about how not to rat out your big brother again! Finally, if you could describe the perfect forever home what would it be?
CHARLIE: Well it would have to be just like my foster homes. A family who loves me and is committed to giving me my medicine. I guess they would have to be able to afford the medication as well. I don’t think I would do good with young kids either since I do nip and love to play rough. But most of all I just want a mommy or daddy or even both that really, really, really loves me!

PRESTON: Well Charlie you have been a great pal and we love having you hang out with us. I just know the perfect home will show up for you! My fans if you’re interested in Charlie please e-mail me at Preston (at) prestonspeaks (dot) com. This is Preston signing off!

CHARLIE: Preston, can we play now…please…..