A Program of the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance
	Charlie ADOPTED!!! Week 1 ║  Week 2  ║  Week 3  ║  Week 4  ║  Week 5  ║  Week 6  ║  Week 7 Week 8  ║  Week 9  ║  Week 10  ║  Week 11  ║  Week 12   Week 9 Well, Charlie is on his way and getting settled into his new home with his wonderful new family.  But, not before leaving a few gifts behind at the jail.  Before he left, he finished his agility work with Cole.  He and Cole work together on this...Cole is the hurdle and works on his "down-stay" while Charlie works on his "come" command jumping over Cole and running over to his handler.  It's quite a sight to see.   In addition, he offered his very first, genuine dog-kiss to his handler on his last day.  Sadly for his handler, it was immediately followed by nervous, projectile vomit...YUCK!!  But, the most notable gift was to Anna Mae.  Charlie has sort of taken his big friend under his little wing and given her some sage advice.  In fact, Charlie is solely responsible for Anna Mae's very first tail-wag.  Way to go, Charlie!  We'll miss you!!        Blue      Kizzie      Charlotte     India      Luke      Cole       Steven       Akira       Anna Mae   Week 8 Charlie is just about ready to head out into the big world for the first time.  He's had a home waiting for him since he started the program and we've had so much fun watching him learn, grow and thrive at the prison.  It's hard to believe that he is the same dog who started just two months ago.  He's far from being the confident dog that he'll end up being, but he's well on his way and his new family will be more than happy to pick up where his handler is leaving off.  We're so excited for this boy to get the home he deserves and he will be truly missed!             Blue      Kizzie      Charlotte     India      Luke      Cole       Steven       Akira       Anna Mae   Week 7 Charlie and Cole had a slumber party exchange this week.  Since Charlie will be heading to his new home soon, his handler thought it might be wise to begin the separation process early and give Charlie the best chance possible for success.  So, Cole and Charlie switched handlers a few times over the last week for a sleepover.  Charlie did great!  He was a little nervous at first, but settled right into his new surroundings.  Before he knew it, it was morning and he was on to the adventures of a new day.  Way to go, Charlie!!            Blue      Kizzie      Charlotte     India      Luke      Cole       Steven       Akira   Week 6 Charlie had another very positive week.  He is beginning to learn basic commands which was an impossible feat just a few short weeks ago.  Now, Charlie is calm enough to focus on a skill even while people are passing by.  He is engaging in play more and more and is getting increasingly comfortable being petted and picked up by the other handlers in the program.  He got his second bath this week and enjoyed it much more than the first.  His circle of safety is growing week by week and it's just absolutely heartwarming to see him blossom under the care and patience of the inmate handlers.          Blue      Kizzie      Charlotte     India      Luke      Cole       Steven       Akira   Week 5 Charlie is such a dear, little creature.  It's hard to express in words how far this little guy has come in the last few weeks.  When he first arrived, it was impossible to touch him and he wanted absolutely no parts of human interaction.  The Charlie we see to today is gaining confidence daily, accepting petting from lots of different people, learning basic commands, facing his fears and reaching new milestones every day.  This week, he all but mastered his fear of the main doorway and overcame his apprehension toward the floor buffer.  He enjoyed time in the yard with his other doggie pals.  The barrage of holiday fireworks were a little more than he would have liked, but even that was lived through and then let go of.  He continues to amaze everyone in the program, as well as the staff and inmates who have gotten to know him.  We are so proud of him!!          Blue      Domino      Elroy     India      Luke      Cole       Steven       Akira   Week 4 Charlie is an amazing little creature.  He is just walking right up to his fears and saying "you're not the boss of me!"  This week, Charlie was given his first bath.  He was so frightened that his handler hopped in the tub with him to help him through it.  Afterward, the peanut butter and cheese helped him forget the trauma and it was on to bigger and better things.  He also faced two more fears this week...doorways and the groomer!  On our way out to the Dirty Dog Mobile Makeover van, Charlie had to pass through several doorways.  This is particularly scary for him, but with a little encouragement, he rose to the challenge.  Annett, our master groomer, said he was wonderful for her.  Very frightened, but willing to give it a try.  He came out looking as handsome as ever, and once back in the safety of the prison yard proceeded to flop down in the grass and have a good romp.  He was covered in sticks and grass in no time and he looked extremely pleased with himself!!         Blue      Domino      Elroy     India      Luke      Cole       Steven       Akira   Week 3 Charlie is really making a run at this whole idea of being "normal."  In the past three weeks, we've seen him face at least a million of his fears, learned that peanut butter will get you just about everywhere with him and seen a frightened little dog start to trust again.  His handler reports that Charlie is now accepting belly rubs!!  He's also approaching all of the other handlers in the program and accepting treats and the occasional ear scratch.  He's doing very well on the leash and loves to play in the dog yard.  He is such a sweet, little dog and it's just wonderful to see him coming along so quickly.  Way to go, Charlie!      Blue      Domino      Elroy     India      Luke      Cole       Steven       Akira   Week 2 What a difference a week makes!  Charlie is still afraid of absolutely everything.  BUT...he's facing all of his fears every day and trying his very best to work through them.  This week alone, Charlie has begun to take treats from strangers, he has learned to walk on a leash with ease and he has found a comfort zone with eating two regular meals each day...out of his own bowl!!  These are all huge milestones for Charlie who was unaccustomed to just about anything that we consider part of a normal day.  One thing that Charlie doesn't have to learn is how to play.  Charlie is completely at peace when he's out with the other dogs.  He loves each of them and is always up for a good game of...whatever!  His handler says that Charlie is always giving the other dogs invitations to play.  He has a tiny, little bark that is almost like a chirp that signals to everyone that the game is on!  Charlie still has a long way to go, but thanks to the calm attitude and patience of his handler he's progressing more quickly than anyone of us had thought he would.  We have high hopes for this little one!!      Blue      Domino      Elroy     India      Luke      Cole       Steven       Bella   Week 1 Charlie has spunk.  He's afraid of absolutely everything...except the idea of hope.  There's no  explanation for his desire to try to face the world, except the hope that through those efforts he can find his way to a better life.  In just one week, Charlie has learned to walk on a leash...not great, but it's coming along.  He has learned that the presence of his inmate handler always equals cheese or some other yummy treat for him.  Plus, he has learned that licking peanut butter from his handler's outstretched finger will result in nothing more than a peanut butter treat.  The only goal this week was to show Charlie that he is safe.  His handler does not often approach Charlie with demands of any sort.  Instead, he encourages Charlie to choose to come to him through the use of cheese and peanut butter.  So far, the results have been promising.  Charlie has taken cheese treats from his handlers foot, leg and arm.  Plus, he ventured all the way to his hand for some peanut butter.  As if that wasn't enough, he even took chicken right out of his hand.  These are huge steps for such a frightened little creature.  Charlie is a gentle soul who just needs time to learn the ways of the world.   He has enough fears to fill the entire prison, but with time, patience, compassion and a lot of love we're certain he will find his way and blossom into the wonderful dog we know he can be.      Blue      Domino      Elroy     India      Luke      Cole       Steven       Bella UPDATE - May 21 This little boy is going to be quite a heartbreaker!  Charlie will head to the big house on June 8th and we can't wait to start teaching him that life gets better starting now!  He is very sweet, but needs a confidence boost.  Check back often to see how he is progressing during his stay at the prison.  Charlie is a handsome, 1-year old American Eskimo Dog who is available for adoption through Eskie Rescuers United.  Blue      Domino      Elroy     India      Luke      Cole       Steven       Bella
	Hounds of Prison Education A Program of the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance