19/06/2021
On Monday May 3rd 2021 I got a phone call at 1:23 AM. My beautiful baby girl Charlotte was staying with my ex’s friend unfortunately due to me having to get situated from the Domestic Violence case that just finally was closed. I heard the three worst words I could have heard come through the other side of the phone, “ Charlotte is dead.” They told me she had been hit by a car and that they had called the vet and taken her there, and that they would call me in the morning from the vet with cremation details. At 8:30 AM I got a call asking if I could drive down to where she was hit and meet them at the vet. I urgently said yes and immediately asked for the address when I realized she hadn't finished her sentence. I was then informed that not only were they wanting me to meet them at the vet, but they were wanting me to meet them to “ get the dog's body out of the trunk,” they said. I suddenly felt extremely nauseous, sick, disgusted, hot and my knees immediately buckled and I fell to the floor. My baby, Charlotte's beautiful love filled body was thrown in the back of the trunk of their car as they “ didn't know what to do with it” I demanded that they drive her to my vet where she had been seen and knew her. When they pulled up in the car at the vet, they popped the trunk and my heart immediately sank. Charlotte's body was wrapped in a bloody sheet on top of McDonald's wrappers, broken bottles, trash and jump cables. I took a deep breath, uncovered her body and lifted her cold, blood covered 85 pound hard body out of the trunk of the car to my vets doors. They greeted me immediately and lovingly placed her upon pillows and plush blankets in a private room where I laid with her. I couldn't let her go. The longer I laid there, the harder I cried, the tighter I held her. I didn't even notice how covered I was in her blood. There was a soft knock on the door and I looked up and saw my vet who had also just held me two months to the day prior when I lost my other 11 year old yorkie Little Bear. She looked at me, tears welled up in her eyes and she sat beside me, put her arm around me and sat there as I uncontrollably cried. As time went on we ultimately realized that the hole in her skull wasn't from her being hit by a car. Yes, there was evidence that she was hit- but someone then decided to shoot Charlotte in the head which was the ultimate reason and cause of her death. Someone thought it was okay to shoot my beautiful, fearless, love filled dog in the head and not take her to the vet- not inform me of the situation. After about 20 minutes of just sounds of tears, heart breaking and sniffling, she looked at me in my eyes and said, “ As a vet, unfortunately part of the job is having to deal with losing our beloved family members. But there are times like these, with such tragedy and neglect it breaks my heart. She was done wrong here. She deserved better.” She did deserve better. When I finally could compose myself to the best ability that I could I gave her a big kiss, the biggest hug that I could and whispered in her ear how much I love her, miss her, how sorry I am that I wasn't there, say hello to her best friend Little Bear and that I will see her on the other side.
Charlotte was a former prized fight dog that at the time my wife and I rescued from a large adoption event in Los Angeles, CA in May of 2018. She was that dog that people walked past because she was 85 pounds of pure muscle, had battle crop ears and a brand on her side. What I saw behind the gate of her kennel was an 85 pound smile. We went up to the nearest volunteer and asked that they open her kennel so that I could meet her. They gave me her background of her fight history, how she was found with a severe re**al prolapse due to her having a bottle broken in her a**s. We didn't care about her history, all I saw was a sweet girl who needed love, compassion, patience, consistency and a home. They opened her kennel and I sat down next to her giving her the opportunity to come to me and test me out. I already loved her, and I think she knew that because she popped up, came up to me, gave me a big ol kiss all across my face and sat down in my lap. I knew this girl was going to come home with us. I asked the volunteer how much her adoption fee was, she looked at me and replied $10.00. I almost laughed because that was unheard of. I handed her a ten dollar bill, signed the adoption paperwork and this chunk of love was mine forever.
Charlotte was a true ambassador for the Pitbull Breed. She loved all children, dogs, cats, men, women, tall, short- it didn't matter who you were or what you looked like, she loved you. We all need to be more like her. She never judged, she never fought, she had NO aggressive bone in her body. She was always present with you, she listened, she spooned you all through the night. Charlotte touched people in a way that changed their opinion about the breed, about rescue dogs and about the beauty of owning a pet.
Itty Bitty Pitty Committee is an Organization that has been created in honor of Charlotte. A true family member that taught me the importance of second, third, fourth and fifth chances, patience, compassion and beauty in life. Here we believe that ALL dogs are beautiful in their own way. And ALL dogs deserve these chances to live fear free and have a wonder filled life. Not only are we rescue and advocate for the Pitbull Breed and all Breeds but we also believe in helping our community. We work with local shelter groups, civilians and anyone who needs help or sees a dog that is in need. We are a safe place for you without judgment to surrender your dog whether that be due to medical, financial, behavior issues etc. Secondly, due to personal experience IBPC is a sanctuary for your pets if you are experiencing violence or Domestic Violence in your home, and you need a safe and loving place for your dogs to be temporarily or permanently rehomed, we are here for you.
