A Labrador Who Was Hired for a Job but Earned a Retirement Plan
By the time most dogs are seven, their résumés consist of chew toys destroyed and mailmen barked at. Charlie Brewer’s career began with a job offer.
In 2018, Adam Brewer adopted Charlie—a chocolate Labrador Retriever—from friends who had no idea she would one day have a formal role in wildlife management. That Saturday, she was hired to chase geese off the greens at The Cardinal, a golf course in Greensboro. By Sunday morning, she was in the passenger seat of Adam’s cart, patrolling the fairways like she owned them.
Canine Capital of Marvin
Charlie now lives with Adam in Marvin, NC, and she’s semi-retired. Her work ethic hasn’t slowed, though—only her job description has changed. These days, Charlie’s primary duties include accompanying Adam in golf carts, greeting strangers like old friends, and finding water in places most humans wouldn’t.
“Pools, lakes, puddles,” Brewer says. “If it’s wet, she’s in it.”
Whether it’s a backyard kiddie pool or the Atlantic Ocean, Charlie enters every body of water like it’s a board meeting and she’s the CEO.
Mobility, Loyalty, and a Mid-Cart Nap
Like any seasoned professional, Charlie knows when to stay sharp and when to rest. She’s mastered the art of the mid-cart nap—a quick recharge while riding shotgun that ensures she’s ready to greet the next tee box visitor. And if the situation calls for it? She spins.
“She spins in circles when she gets excited,” Brewer says, laughing. “She’s done it since she was a pup.”
This move—equal parts enthusiasm and interpretive dance—has been known to win over strangers and club members alike.
A Friend with a Wet Nose and Tenure
To Adam, Charlie isn’t just a good girl. She’s family. A ride-or-die with paws and a penchant for aquatic detours. A work buddy who never called in sick and always showed up with a wag.
“She’s my best friend,” he says plainly. “She goes everywhere with me.”
At seven years old, Charlie may no longer be actively clearing geese off the back nine. But she’s earned her quiet rides, her lake plunges, her spins of joy.
If you see a blur of brown fur doing donuts near the golf path, don’t worry. That’s just Charlie, spinning her joy into another perfect day.
About the Author
Nell Thomas is a senior writer for The Charlotte Mercury and contributor to Strolling Ballantyne, where she documents the things that make Charlotte lovable, livable, and occasionally ridiculous. You can usually find her at Einstein Bros. Bagels Ballantyne (13736 Conlan Cir, open daily 6–2), where she recommends the turkey sausage egg white sandwich, an iced vanilla hazelnut latte, and four hours of loitering. They have WiFi. Bring a laptop. Stay till closing.
Strolling Ballantyne is a proud part of The Mercury, home of real stories from real people doing real things—in Ballantyne, across Charlotte, and occasionally even in state politics.
We’re also profiling people like you. Send us your stories, dog pics, or puddle-jumping evidence: ballantyne@strollmag.com
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This article, “Meet Charlie: Marvin’s Goose-Chasing, Circle-Spinning Lab,” by Nell Thomas is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
“Meet Charlie: Marvin’s Goose-Chasing, Circle-Spinning Lab”
by Nell Thomas, Strolling Ballantyne (CC BY-ND 4.0)
