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It was a year ago that Charlie came into our lives. Five weeks earlier, Zeus left us, his body unable to survive the cancer.

Charlie was not a replacement dog; he was an eight-week old puppy, who would bring his big personality into our lives. Not a day, or even a moment goes by without thinking of Zeusy, his presence is strong and vibrant.

Did Zeus send Charlie to us? Charlie is a different breed of dog than Zeus, but the two share many personality characteristics. “Charlie, that’s what your brother used to do,” we often say when he does something quirky.

For me, adopting Charlie so soon after Zeus passing, was not easy. Subconsciously, I think that I held back emotionally, feeling that I had to let go of Zeus. I went along with the adoption, but I was not fully onboard at the time. My grief was still processing and I couldn’t put out the “welcome mat” quite yet.

We picked out Charlie online, like shopping for a pair of shoes. I’ve never successfully purchased shoes without trying them on first, walking around in them, breathing in the smell of new shoes. My feet are difficult to buy for, too many surgeries and sensitivities. My heart still ached for Zeus, and not any new dog would do. Little did I know that Charlie was sent by an angel.

We were on a trip to Colorado when we adopted the puppy that would become Charlie. A friend picked up Charlie and delivered him to the vet, that’s where we first met Charlie. He was tiny, 11 pounds of energy and cuteness.

Charlie was quite a change from his 13 year old brother. Puppies are like that. Boundless energy, jagged little teeth and chaos. “Don’t worry, the teething will pass.” Thank god, it did! I had scratches, nibbles and bandaids covering my arms. All the while, he kept growing.

From 11 pounds to over 80 in less than a year, Charlie is a big boy, but still a puppy. He’s smart and learns quickly, but he’s very stubborn with his own big personality. Beyond everything, he’s sweet and a loving dog, who wants to hug everyone and generously dispenses kisses. Charlie is big and strong, he doesn’t realize his size or strength when he gets up on his hind legs to hug someone or stand on your lap.

His favorite activity, aside from eating, is running in the backyard doing zoomies, usually with a ball in his mouth. He’s fast and runs hard as he circles the yard in a gallop. He has several different styles when he’s in motion: gallop, prance, hop.

Zeus was a senior dog, he was slow, with a low energy level. Charlie has been an adjustment for me; his needs are immediate and a lot. It sounds like I’m comparing them, but I know they are different dogs that each need something different from me, the parent.

Zeus taught me a lot about being a dog parent. He taught me even more about myself. My grief was intense when we had to put him down, and my heart aches every day since. Charlie was never supposed to be a replacement for Zeus, despite the gap between them being so short, but the needed a dog. A special dog.

Whatever way he ended up in our lives, I’m happy. Even when he keeps wanting to go outside (he prefers to have company), drools like Niagara Falls, and has a way of claiming most of the bed at night. Charlie could teach a class in sad looks, and getting what he wants from me.

If I hadn’t been with Zeus first, I don’t know I’d been ready for puppy Charlie. I keep asking my partner, do you think Charlie is happy? I’m worried about the dog’s happiness. Zeus slowly turned me into a dog parent, and I am eternally grateful.