Golden Retriever · 2012 – 2026 · Oakville, Ontario
Charlie
Also known as Chuckles, Sir Charles
“Equal parts gentleman, food thief and everyone’s best friend.”
1,284 visitors · 48 memories · 212 photos
His story
Charlie came home on a snowy February afternoon in 2012, a ten-week-old ball of fluff who fell asleep in Sarah’s boot before anyone could take his coat off. He spent the next fourteen years making sure no one in the Hartley house ever felt alone.
He greeted every guest like a long-lost friend, carried a single sock as a welcome gift, and had an uncanny habit of lying down beside whoever was having the hardest day. When Emma was born in 2016 he appointed himself her unofficial babysitter, and he never once resigned.
Charlie loved the cottage on Lake Muskoka more than anywhere on earth — though he refused to swim unless someone went in first. He discovered cheese in 2019 and never recovered. He was, to the very end, still refusing to return the ball.
Written by Sarah Hartley with help from NearMe Pets's story builder.
A few of his favourite things
- Favorite food
- Aged cheddar. Also, your toast.
- Favorite toy
- A deflated orange ball named Ball
- Favorite walk
- Bronte Creek, the long way
- Favorite sleeping spot
- Across the front door, so no one could leave
- Best friend
- Murphy the beagle, two doors down
- Favorite human
- Emma, from day one
- Most questionable habit
- Collecting left socks
- Greatest talent
- Knowing who needed him
- Strongest opinion
- Baths are a human invention
A life, in chapters
- 2012BornArrived in the world in Guelph, one of seven.
- 2012Came homeFell asleep in Sarah’s boot on the first night.
- 2013First cottage summerSpent the whole of July watching the lake suspiciously.
- 2016Became Emma’s unofficial babysitterSlept under her crib every night for a year.
- 2019Discovered cheeseA turning point. Life was never the same.
- 2024Still refusing to return the ballTwelve years of fetch, zero balls returned.
- 2026Forever lovedPassed peacefully at home in March, surrounded by his family.
Places he loved
Memories from friends
Share your memory of Charlie“Charlie always brought me a tennis ball when I visited, even when I was wearing my good shoes.”
Test Neighbour · Neighbour · Oct 3
Memory“Every morning at 7:15 Charlie would wait at the end of our driveway for Murphy. If Murphy was late, Charlie would bark exactly once. Murphy still goes to that spot.”
Murphy’s mom (Jen L.) · Neighbour · 2 days ago
Friendship“In eleven years of check-ups Charlie never once let me finish an exam without leaning his whole body into me. He made every nervous puppy in the waiting room feel braver.”
Dr. Priya Raman · Veterinarian · 4 days ago
Lessons“He let me dress him up as a pirate four Halloweens in a row. He hated the hat but he never took it off until I did.”
Emma Hartley · Family · 1 week ago
Family“He once stole an entire rotisserie chicken off our picnic table and then brought us the bag, very proudly, as if he had done us a favour.”
Marco (cottage neighbour) · Friend · 1 week ago
Humor
Memorial to impact
In Charlie's memory, support senior Golden Retriever rescue.
The Hartleys connected Charlie's memorial to Golden Rescue Ontario. 100% of direct donations pass through to the charity.
With thanks to Lakeshore Animal Hospital, Oakville Pet Cremation Services, Paws & Reflect grief circle.
Memorial owner? Keep Charlie's page forever