Hi!

I would like to introduce myself …my full legal name is Charlie Tide Freeport LeVines. I go by Freeport and sometimes "Port" for short! Hey, that was a rhyme. I will be two years old in March and have already had quite an adventurous life. I was born in Missouri to a beautiful girl and a very handsome male. I moved to St. Petersburg as a young pup and lived with a senior lady. But I was too much for her to handle and she sold me to a young family in Ruskin, Florida. I had two other canine brothers …a mutt and a German Shepherd…not as good looking as me, but they were fun. My family had a human baby and all of a sudden I was taken to a "no-kill" shelter, C.A.R.E. On the way they told me how sad and sorry they were to have to give me away, but that the human baby had allergies so all of us canine kids had to go.

I really didn't understand what a shelter was until I got there and was left there! But, I was very glad to recall being told it was a "no-kill" shelter as I have heard there are other places that are not so nice to us canines.

The people at C.A.R.E. were wonderful and took a liking to me instantly. I heard a lady on the phone call someone she knew and left a nice message about me. She said "Hi Jeff & Lea, this is Linda, I am at the shelter and you wouldn't believe what just came in …a Golden Retriever and he's really cute! Call me." Well, the next thing I know, there is quite a fuss about me and I hear these people, Lea & Jeff, will be driving down to meet me on Tuesday. I couldn't wait for Tuesday! I love meeting new people and while I was very well cared for at the shelter, I wanted to be adopted by a new family that would love me forever …and, that I could love forever.

While I waited for Tuesday, I met several other canines and nice volunteers. I was also inspected by a veterinarian who gave me a top dog report!

Finally Tuesday came and when I met Jeff and Lea I knew right away I wanted to be a part of their family. I put on the charm - played fetch, had my best manners on display and really hammed it up! I even sat on Jeff's foot. He thought that was cute.

When Jeff and Lea stopped playing with me and said they were leaving without me, I was so sad and just looked at them and dropped my toy. Wasn't I good enough? But I saw them give a thumbs-up and heard them say they really liked me and would call the next day.

I expected Wednesday to be a great day, but instead, I had surgery to make sure I would never father puppies. I came through the procedure just fine but really wanted to know what Jeff & Lea had to say when they called but I was just too sleepy to hear. But, the following day, I learned they wanted to adopt me and would pick me up Saturday! I did it!!

That Saturday has proven to be the best day of my life! My new parents picked me up and had a very stylish red and blue lobster collar and leash for me. I rode home with my new Dad in the back seat with me and my new Mom driving. When we got home, I met my new sister, Nutmeg Mae, a fun Maine Coon kitten. I had never lived with a cat before so we had to get used to each other. It took Nutmeg a little longer to get interested in me, but now we are really great buds. She even drinks out of my water bowl! Before you know it, she will want to sleep with me!

I have lots of new toys, get to go on many walks each day, and stay in style with several collars and leashes. In addition to the lobster one, I have a Gasparilla pirate set and bandana, as well as a new one with hearts I wore for Valentines Day! I also get to run with my Dad each morning. We have a wonderful front porch at our home and on the weekends, Mom, Dad and I hang out there quite a bit. I have met so many new friends and neighbors. Most of them have stopped by to say hello and especially to meet me! My grandparents have come from Charlotte, NC to meet me and I have met some of my Aunts and Uncles too. My Uncle Bud & Aunt Diane loved me from the start! While they are not officially my Aunt and Uncle, Mike and Monique are wonderful friends. Monique's Mom and Dad drover all the way from Jacksonville to meet me. I cannot wait for our first official party …I plan to be the life of it!!

Here are a couple photos of me so you can see what I look like now.

Love,

(Pawprint)
Freeport