Charlie’s Corner is the domain of Charlie, the furry four-legged lady’s man of Market Common. Each month, he’ll share information to help all new, visiting, and existing doggie community members get the most out of life alongside their human companions. Here, we’ll feature his reflections on what it’s like to be a dashing downtown doggie, as he reminds all of us how to play well together.
Oh boy, September is finally here. That makes me excited for several reasons. First, it means I won’t be so cold. Yes, you read that right— cold.
When it’s hot outside, the air conditioning at the Insider office reaches arctic temperatures. Now that we are having cooler days, it shouldn’t be turned on so high.
But the main reason that I’m glad is because now I’m allowed on the beach. The canine population of Myrtle Beach must look forward to the Labor Day Weekend celebrations more so than humans, because right after that holiday, we’re all allowed to frolic and swim on the public beaches to our heart’s content once more.
Just watch out for those jellyfish. They migrate to our shores this time of year, and will let you know that you’re in their way with a little sting.
As I lay in my doggie bed daydreaming about my return to the beach, I contemplate what I’ll do first when I arrive. So many choices.
I know that I want to share this experience with all of my canine friends, so that part is easy. As soon as we get out of the car, we’ll break loose and run as fast as we can in wild circles, barking, before changing the formation to chase seagulls, barking louder.
I just know that one day I will catch one.
Next, we’ll dig a hole. I can’t wait to feel the soft sand between my toes flying behind me as I dig further down, down, down, until I hit water. Then I’ll splash around in the sand mud puddle until it gets all over my fur.
Then it’s time to make sand castles. I’ll make mine in the shape of a dog bone, and decorate it with shells. Or maybe I should imprint it with paw prints instead.
Maybe I’ll build the biggest and the best castle that I can. I’ll make an actual dog house-castle that I can hide inside of. And create a moat around it so that as the waves come, they will fill it up and it will look very pretty, like a house on the water.
Or I’ll dig a very deep moat, so it will be like digging many holes, and I’ll bet be just as fun.
But eventually, no matter how deep the moat, the waves will come and wash away what I built, making space for new things and experiences to come.
It’s more about the joy of the journey than about holding on anyhow. Either way, what I value the most is being present in nature, sharing experiences with my friends, and trying new things.
By the end of the day, I’ll have tub time to wash all the sand out of my fur. Then I’ll snuggle up in my dog bed, lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves echoing in my ears, and the faint aroma of the unassuming mollusk I found and engaged in prolonged battle with, trying to get it to crawl out of its shell so I could investigate more closely.
This all sounds like a great September plan. What’s yours?
Until next time,
