We heard some sad news this morning. This cold, rainy day is to be Charlie Hot Wheel's last. Sweet Charlie was no longer feeling comfortable. The dog with the strong will that used to scoot towards his stroller could only lay panting in pain.

Maya and Charlie's other friends at Scrub-a-Pup had made him a promise that they would not ask him to go on in pain just because they would be too incredibly sad to let him go. They had to make that horribly difficult decision for him this week and can only hope that he is now some place else where he can run free in the sunshine he loved, using all his legs like he once used to.

As Maya said before, loving Charlie did come with a price. We have heard that they are devastated that he is gone. We hope that as their hearts heal, they can see the happiness they brought to the last part of Charlie's life and that knowing that fact makes it all worth while. The dog who was abandoned, broken and left to die, was given a second chance to have happy days. We are so thankful that his final day did not come in that empty apartment while we was waiting broken, starving and alone, for his owner who obviously did not love him to return. Instead he was surrounded by people who cared immensely for him when he had to say goodbye.

The following was written by Carla, one of Charlie's foster parents and co-owner of Scrub-a-Pup:

"Charlie's passing went so peaceful. Dr. Z gave him a sedative and he was almost asleep and almost the minute he put the needle in he passed. Maya , Larry and I were with him and Dr. Z was so loving. As heartbreaking as it was we were grateful at how peaceful it was. Before we went up to the Dr. Maya gave Charlie one last stroller ride to his favorite coffee shop for a hot dog and ice cream. The women that run the place gave him a extra scoop.

It was a very tough night for all of us and today. A big hole is left in our hearts. And I am dealing with a huge amount of guilt. Being the one who had to make the decision is so tough. I hope Charlie forgives me and understands. I hate the second guessing.

Thanks for your support and understanding. It means a lot!"

His spirit will always be with us.

We choose to do something to give animals like Charlie a better life. And, without even often realizing it, we make the world a little more beautiful, too. We challenge you to to one kind deed today in Charlie's memory.

Goodbye Sweet Charlie. We are thankful we got to know you. You brightened our days.

Charlie Hot Wheels gets a second chanceby Amber Chenoweth

It was one of those gorgeous fall days that we are first pleasantly surprised by and then quickly cherish here in the Northwest when I met Charlie Hot Wheels. Deep blue sky and the blazing colors of fall were the backdrop as Charlie contently sat in the sunlight, soaking it all in. It was such a beautiful day, in fact, that it had seemed as if someone had been given the task of determining the day by pulling the lever of a giant weather slot machine. Against all odds, the old one armed bandit which usually only spins up clouds and rain, rolled up three sun symbols and out poured the light, making a good day for everyone.

For most of us, just having the sun shine on a November day makes us feel as if we have hit the jackpot. But the sun is just an added bonus on the list of things that Charlie Hot Wheels has to appreciate about his life today. What makes his day is that he has been given a second chance to have the simple comforts - often the things that others take for granted. Now, he has a food, a warm, dry bed, much needed medical attention and people that love and care for him.

“No dogs deserve to be left to die or to have been treated the way that he was,” said caretaker, Maya. And that was exactly what had happened to Charlie when his owner decided to move and left him behind in the abandoned apartment to die alone. If that wasn’t bad enough, Charlie had also received some sort of trauma, and had possibly been hit by a car, and had not received medical treatment for his injuries which included a broken leg. Some neighbors spoke up about an abandoned dog in the apartment and Charlie was taken to a shelter.

Pasado’s Safe Haven was notified of Charlie’s situation and with the help of some wonderful fosters was able to rescue him from euthanasia the night before his scheduled fate. Because of Charlie’s unique medical condition, he is unable to walk and must be wheeled around in a stroller. He is also incontinent. It seemed there was something more to Charlie’s health than having just been hit by a car. A vet visit confirmed the trauma he had suffered and also revealed that he has a large tumor growing through his spine.

The story could have ended here for Charlie if it wasn’t for people who believed that he deserved to live and breathe in days like that beautiful November day. Caring for him was not going to be easy. Carla and Larry, owners of Scub-a-Pup in Edmonds, WA knew that they had a perfect environment for Charlie and volunteered to foster him at their shop. Maya, the manager, quickly became attached to him as she worked with him to “come out of his shell.”

Now most every day is a jackpot day for Charlie, rain or shine. “He loves going for his stroller rides!” said Maya. “He goes for a coffee with me down on the waterfront and gets an ice cream for .50 cents.” Its no wonder how he earned the name Charlie Hot Wheels as he is a man on the town and an inspiration to all customers that visit Scrub-a-Pup.

Did someone mention ice cream?! Visitors at Scrub-a-Pup are welcomed to take Charlie out for a stroll!

The bond they have formed is obvious. When Maya leaves Charlie’s sight, he tries to rock his body to roll his stroller towards her. If he is on the floor, he uses his front legs drag his useless back half to get to her. He seems completely aware of this wonderful opportunity to live a happy life.

Maya says that dealing with his physical needs is the easy part. It is the knowing that the inoperable tumor is over taking his body and the fear that it might cause him pain that is the really hard part. Still, she is not a person that can turn away and not help him. “I just have to take care of him until he gets better, or…” The latter was too painful to speak of.

Charlie is scheduled to visit the vet again and we will have an update on his health later this week.

Righting wrongs in life are not usually easy. But the question is, does it hurt more to get your heart involved than to have your soul urge you to take action and to do nothing?

“No, there is no choice for me,” said Maya. “You know when it’s just in you to do that. You take them in (when they need help). We all love him.”

We also feel the same here at Pasado’s Safe Haven where there are only happy days, even if we know they are numbered, for our animal friends in need. We do our best to make sure that animals like Charlie do get a second chance at a happy life. And to be involved, to step up and lend a helping hand or to use your voice to speak for an animal does not leave you feeling empty. To look in an animal’s eyes that you have helped is a great reward and there is comfort in knowing that you did the right thing for them. You can make a difference in an animal’s life and by example, hopefully evoked a positive change in the world.

You can help today by sponsoring a rescued animal like Charlie Hot Wheels! Click here for more info.