by Dianna Haley

Goose is a six month old, adorable, loving typical chessie boy. Full of life!

He was found by a lady out on her evening walk. He followed her home. She took in this sweet boy but quickly realized he wasn't healthy. He was having uncontrolled bladder and bowel issues. She contacted the rescue, asking for help.

We offered to take Goose in to rescue and get him the help he needed.

At his first vet visit, it was determined he had a possible genetic illness. The vet felt no treatment or support could be provided to Goose. She deemed him unadoptable and wanted permission to euthanize him. 

We wanted to give him every opportunity for a good life before making a rushed decision. We chose to seek additional opinions. After a few days with a good diet, his bowel issues were corrected. 

Since Goose was in an area with minimal veterinarian resources, we moved him to a place where we could seek specialized care. 

His new foster family quickly fell in love and was dedicated to getting him all the care he needed and an answer to his incontinence.

After further investigation, it was determined Goose didn't have a bladder issue. He was born with only one functioning kidney. The new vet felt by removing the nonfunctioning kidney, he would no longer have his incontinence problems. 

Goose's kidney removal surgery was a great success, his doctor says he is healthy as a little horse... and is a giant handful.

by Dianna Haley

Gunner (name listed on his chip) is approximately 7 or 8 years old. He was found shot and lying in a dump site.  

The police department contacted a local rescue, Gracies Project, in Amarillo, Texas, letting them know they had a dog still alive but in serious condition as he had been shot and dumped in a known dumping site. The small rescue had few resources and no one to foster, but they couldn't let him die. They rushed him to a vet hospital and then put out a call for action, asking for help from the local citizens. 

I saw the post and the picture. I immediately knew this could be a chessie or, at the least, a chessie mix. I called the rescue and told them we would take him into rescue and we would do everything we could to save his life. 

Gunner spent several days in emergency hospital care. He was fortunate the bullet was a through and through, missing all major organs. Even after all he has been through, he is loving and kind with a heart of gold. How anyone could hurt this sweet boy is unimaginable.

SIT is working great if there is something in it for him i.e. a treat in my hand. Sounds like every chessie ever, right?

Skittish at first with the cars racing by, he now ignores them and small dogs we encounter with just a quiet 'leave it' they are now beneath him to stop and stare.

He does not care much for our leaving the house and feels he should come along but then sits by the front door window panel. It is such a joy for us to come back and see him waiting for our return.

Bartly is very good about the daily ear cleaning but drew a halt to teeth brushing that was a bridge too far. Poor thing barely has any teeth.

Bartly is quite a character and we get a lot of smiles watching his antics. He gets annoyed at the balls, despite heavy-duty barking at them they just will not roll themselves for a good chase. He takes one of my shoes in the morning and puts it by the door, hint hint...

Finally I want to share that he is very affectionate, I get lots of kisses and having a 75 lbs lap dog is nothing to sneer about. He is planning to type the next letter to you himself now that he makes himself comfortable on my lap.

Bartly has enriched our life and we are so glad he came to live with us.

Chessie Alumni Reunion in PNW 2023

Northwest Regional Director Lisa Bernardez meet up with CBRR&R alumni Lizzy, Cassidy & Otis during her summer travels through Washington State.

So happy to see CBRR&R dogs and families!!