January 2009 November 28, 2022
Our beloved Charlie crossed the rainbow bridge on Monday, November 28, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.
Charlie was born in the Kansas City area in January 2009. After Charlie’s first family’s house went into foreclosure, he was surrendered to the wonderful people at Wayside Waifs. It was there that his furever family found him, less than 24 hours after his arrival. It was love at first sight! Charlie’s ‘gotcha day’ was February 11, 2010.
True to his adoption posting, Charlie was “all Golden”! He was a very smart boy who loved to run free at the airfield on Ft. Leavenworth with his dad. When his dad would put on his hat, Charlie knew it was time for a nice long walk. Riding in the “C-A-R” with his mom was one of his favorite activities, especially when they went through a drive-thru for a pup cup. Charlie spent lots of time with his brother chasing the football in the backyard and hanging out with his sister and her friends at sleepovers. He was terribly afraid of thunderstorms and fireworks. If his mom didn’t give him is anxiety medicine in time, Charlie could be found under a bed.
Charlie never met a stranger and he had lots of dog friends. Hank the Airedale, Sophie Belle the Golden Retriever, Jazzy the Bluetick Coonhound and Hershey the Mutt. Since his parents didn’t like to board him when they had to take trips, Charlie had an open invitation to go on local weekend get-aways and he was always excited to stay with his friends and their humans. As Charlie got older, he slowed down a bit and was very content to lie in front of his mom’s footstool in the evening, occasionally thumping his tail on the floor to get more head scratches. He loved his backyard and would spend hours sleeping on the porch in the shade, getting up occasionally to chase a random squirrel (that he never caught). In September 2021 after his mom noticed a slight limp, the doctors confirmed that Charlie had osteosarcoma in his left shoulder. His family was told he would only have four to six months, but they were determined to fight. Charlie underwent one round of chemotherapy and intensive physical therapy to strengthen his good legs. In March 2022 another blow came with the news that the cancer had spread to his lungs. Thanks to a host of amazing doctors, good pain management, weekly physical therapy and a supplemental diet of cheeseburgers, stew meat and his mom’s Italian meatballs Charlie defied all the odds and outlived his prognosis by many months. He was able to see his brother and sister one last time over Thanksgiving before saying his final good-bye.
Charlie is survived by his dad, Jim “Alpha” Redwine and mom, Gina “Mama” Redwine of Lansing; brother, Nick “Jr. Alpha” Redwine of Sackets Harbor, NY; and sister Elyse “Tiny Mama” Redwine of Savannah, GA.
The Redwine family would like to thank all the doctors and care-givers who ensured Charlie had a wonderful quality of life: Lansing Veterinary Hospital, Pawgressive Steps Physical Therapy, Cedar Creek Veterinary Hospital and Mission Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Clinic. They would also like to thank everyone at Wayside Waifs who made this wonderful life possible in 2010.
In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family requests that you donate generously to the shelter or rescue of your choice in memory of Charlie. Give every pet a chance to find a loving furever family of its own.