Charlie, the faithful temple watchdog, died today. He was run over by a car while trying to cross the highway up the road. I was just talking about Charlie in the morning class yesterday, comparing him favorably to Mirabhai because of his service connection to the temple.
Charlie had a good, long life. He was fifteen years old (that's 105 in dog years). He served the temple faithfully, and had the affection and blessings of all the Vaishnavas. He got lots of prasadam, lots of sukriti, so his next life can only be auspicious.
Charlie was Vijay Raman Prabhu, the temple president's pet. Vijay Raman Prabhu went to India three weeks ago to attend Srila Gurudeva's Vyasa Puja, so he does not know yet.
Charlie's death is a grim reminder of our own mortality:
"Day after day, at every moment, we see that all kinds of living entities are rushing blindly into the jaws of death yet, even though we see this, we think that we shall not die. What could be more amazing, or more wonderful than this?"
I'm going to miss Charlie on my morning japa walks.
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