Dear friends and family:

Upon the passing of my mom, Carolyn,  in December of 2006 I decided to do something to honor her memory perpetually....as she was perpetually caring for me due to my accidents!!

Given my love for animals I started Carolyn Labradors, a  hobby kennel where we breed Labrador retrievers that possess the worlds most recognized bloodlines. I donate those pups considered worthy of therapy work to the NorthStar organization (www.Northstardogs.com) an organization I partnered with after they read my story in the Charlotte newspaper. 

 Northstar places the pups with children who have disabilities or children who have suffered an emotional tragedy like getting burned, just as I did. 

I know what it  is like to feel different. Although I was always able to put up a good facade, there were many things I would not do because of the fact that I looked different. Thankfully, I had the  support of a great family and many friends.  

Research tells us that there are many ways that dogs help humans. For someone who is "different" the benefit of their unconditional love is invaluable. Just the other day a family with two young boys,  ages 4 and 5 came to our home to see the puppy that would eventually become apart of their family as a therapy dog for their sons Daniel and Thomas, both who have autism. As they arrived both boys spotted the pups and took off toward them. I thought I saw a tear run down the mother's face as she placed both hands over her lips. She told my wife Sandy that she never regretted having a child with autism but it did hurt her that they never interacted with each other.  As they both excitedly reached out for the puppies, that all changed. That's just a very simple example of how these dogs will improve the lives of these children and their whole family.   

I donate my pups in the name and memory of my mom who so perfectly exemplified love to me.  However, there are many other costs that NorthStar incurs. My goal in raising these funds is to help Northstar place as many of these puppies with deserving families as possible. The average placement costs nearly $10,000.

 I wish you could have seen that mother's face! It sent shivers down my spine and made me ask myself what else I could do to help?

If you would like a copy of my recent article Master-Servant "why dog spells God in reverse"  simply email me at ak9nose@earthlink.net and I will forward you a copy.

God Bless you all, Charlie