Charlie was no ordinary little Yorkie. He was a tiny dog with an enormous personality, a fiercely protective heart, and an unwavering devotion to the person he loved most.

He was affectionate, loyal, opinionated, and wonderfully bossy. He loved his mama with everything he had, but anyone who dared get a little too close quickly discovered that Charlie had very firm opinions about sharing her attention.

And Charlie knew exactly what he wanted. Sometimes that meant waking his mama in the middle of the night with a very specific request: freshly peeled raw potatoes. Not dog treats. Not biscuits. Potatoes. And naturally, Charlie expected room service.

He also had a remarkable way of making his feelings known.

Every year, before his mama and daddy traveled to Antigua, Charlie received a little explanation about where they were going and when they would return. One year, he seemed unusually accepting of the news. That is, until his mama returned from gathering clothes and discovered that Charlie had expressed his disapproval by relieving himself all over her suitcase.

Message received, Charlie.

But perhaps his most unforgettable gift was his smile. Whenever his mama came home and called, “Where’s Charlie?” there he would be, waiting on the stair landing, snorting, grinning, and welcoming her home in a way only Charlie could.