Charlie and I took a walk in the park this afternoon. On our way back I saw a woman, who was sitting with a friend, interrupt their conversation so she could call Charlie over for a visit. Oddly enough Charlie approached her reluctantly. That's rare. But once he was in reach the woman cuddled and fondled Charlie as though he was her long lost pet. She then told us that she had lost a dog much like Charlie a few years ago.

For the next half hour I stood back and watched her play with, and be healed a bit by, Charlie. When it was time to leave she held Charlie close to her one more time, wished him a long, healthy life and blessed him with her tears.

Today Charlie helped me learn that blessings surround us, but remain a mystery and at bay if we are not open to them.

Obituary  ::  Heinrich Wilhelm Wehrmann

April 11, 1921 - December 28, 2008

My father Heinrich Wilhelm Wehrmann passed away peacefully at the Runnymede Healthcare Centre.

Heinrich was trained as Master Cabinet Maker in his family's business in Barntrup, Germany.

He married Julia Bendzko on December 28, 1944, and they had six children together. Five in Germany; Petra, Henry, August, Martin, Barbara and one in Canada; Frank. The family emigrated from Bremerhaven, Germany on November 28, 1954 and immigrated to Quebec City, Qc. Canada on December 10, 1954.

Their first home in Canada was an apartment at 221 Agusta Ave., in Toronto’s Kensington Market District.

From there the family moved to 18 Garden Ave. in 1956, and then to 66 Pine Crest Rd. in the High Park District in 1963.

In Canada he worked his way up from the role of construction carpenter to trim carpenter to (building) Construction Manager.

His first love was God. His second love and loyalty was to his family, and his third consuming passion . . . sailing. 

Heinrich is survived by Julia Benzko, his beloved wife of 64 years, and by his children, their spouses, grandchildren, and all the great- grandchildren.

Predeceased by son Heinrich Maximilian.

Memorial Service will be held at First Lutheran Church, 116 Bond St. on Sat. Jan. 3, 2009, at 11 a.m. Pastor C. Schweter officiating.

Obituary  ::  Heinrich Wilhelm Wehrmann

Today Charlie and I were invited to his friend's house for Thanksgiving dinner.
It was a quiet affair with a nicely balanced guest list made up of four people and three poodles: Mozart, Zeus and Charlie.

The people didn't know that Charlie had recently undergone Auricular Testing which led to a some very strict dietary rules. For instance, one of the few proteins Charlie can have right now is Turkey. So his meals are typically made up of turkey, sweet potatoes and a bunch of vitamins. You could say that Charlie enjoys a Thanksgiving Dinner every day of the year and you'd be right!

While I prepare his meals he sits in the kitchen, watching me, full of anticipation.

Each meal is consumed as though it is his first - and his last.

And when it's all gone he rolls around the floor in a state of pure ecstasy.

Charlie hopes you enjoy your dinner as much as he does and are thankful for all that comes your way.

This is me with Charlie, my mentor, constant companion + creative muse from Jan. 2001 - Jun. 24, 2017.  

Photography by Piotr Organa

Janet told me years ago that she believed that each of us has at least one book inside of us. Hmm. I thought she was nuts. Then a little dog came into my life and changed a lot of my beliefs + priorities. Now I agree. But I'm not a writer. Besides, in the intervening years I've read a number of books and short stories about people and their special relationship with their dogs. When I saw the movie "My dog skip" I almost cried because I now have a better understanding of what it's like for a dog to lose a master or mistress. In the last four years I've learned a lot about dogs but I still know very little. I now understand the expression "dogs leave footprints on your heart". I'm just not sure how they get in there, or why their very lives are so much shorter than ours. My dog and those I've met are wonderful sentient beings that have opened my heart and mind in ways that people never have. Anne told me that our relations with dogs are more genuine because people and dogs have very open relationship anchored in this moment, free of the politics and all the other stuff that encumbers human relationships.

I remember when we were told Charlie had skeletal necrosis I was speechless. It took weeks to put the news into context: realizing that his already short life would be cut shorter.

And that’s when I started listening – and not worrying about Charlie because Charlie began teaching me about life. He began with one of the most basic lessons - one that most of us understand philosophically but struggle to apply.

• To live in the moment.
• To not worry about what might be.
• To enjoy and appreciate what we have.

Charlie doesn't know how long he has and neither do I.

So that’s the ‘beginning’.

My goal is to write a ‘lesson’ a week and then put them all into a book, or this blog, one week at a time.

Henry and Barbara Wehrmann in 1956, Garden Avenue, Toronto. 

Obituary  ::  Henry Maxamilian Wehrmann

March 15, 1947 - February 26, 2001

My brother Henry passed away in Toronto on Monday, February 26, 2001, at the age of 53.

He was the beloved husband of Susan (nee Rider), loving father of Adam and David, and the much loved son of Heinrich and Julia Wehrmann.

Henry will be sadly missed by his brothers and sisters, extended family and friends.

The family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home;  A.W. Miles Chapel, 1403 Bayview Ave. 7-9 p.m. on Tues., Feb. 27. 

A Celebration of Life will follow on Wed. Feb. 28, 3:30 P.M. St. George's United Church, 35 Lytton Boulevard.

If desired, donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada or to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Obituary  ::  Henry Maxamilian Wehrmann