A feel-good story, if I may be so permitted

[Sunriser13]

Dog lifts woman's spirits after tragedies

EASTOVER, N.C. — For visitors to Betty Register's home on Dunn Road, Charlie may be just a dog.

For Register, 88, he's more of a miracle.

Charlie, a friendly, 9-year-old Labrador-English spaniel mix, came into Register's life at a time when things were at a low point for the Eastover resident. Her husband of 67 years had just died, and Hurricane Matthew had just flooded her house.

Charlie, who appeared in Register's yard a short time later, seemed to fill a void in Register's life — so much so that Charlie's previous owner gave his dog to the woman after he saw the love between the two.

"He's just a comfort," Register said, petting Charlie at her home recently. "You don't feel so alone. It's just a comfort to see him walking around and know that there's somebody here with me."

The first week of October brought double tragedies to Register and her family.

For the rest of the story, click here.

This just brought a different sort of tears to my eyes... I think it must have gotten real dusty in here or something.

[malaise]

1. Good story

except that you should not leave a dog outside during a hurricane. I'm glad for Register

[Sunriser13]

3. And for Charlie, too

Agreed about leaving him out, though, although we don't know if there could have been extenuating circumstances of some sort.

[malaise]

8. Apparently he was a yard dog

Still Charlie is lucky

[polmaven]

2. Gee,

It just got dusty in my house, too!

What a great story! Thank you for posting it.

[MADem]

4. Smart dog. He picked good!

Do I want to live with the lady who lets me sleep and stay in the HOUSE, or those first owners who kept me in a dog house OUTSIDE?

No contest!

I'm pleased the 1st owner did the right thing, though--he knew he wasn't caring for that dog in the right way, and the lady he ended up with was.

[secondwind]

6. I just self-deleted my comments, they were the same as yours... he was kept outside. He's very

happy now!

[brer cat]

9. Feel good stories are always welcome.

Dogs are amazingly sensitive, seeming to know when their warm, safe presence and unconditional love are most needed. I'm sure Charlie also liked being inside and having her companionship.

[niyad]

10. okay, who is cutting onions???? seriously, thank you for this lovely story.

as several other posters have noted, I wonder about charlie being left outside during a hurricane. so glad his first human left him with betty.