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by Pam Emge Mid-Atlantic Regional Director
Last August I received a phone call describing an emergency situation regarding two Chesapeakes. The owner/caretaker had just experienced the home being foreclosed on and sold, and he only had 60 days in which to vacate. Prospects for taking either dog with him were dim. The alternative was a likely eviction, which would have put both of these chessies at risk for animal control seizure and shelter placement.
After filling out the surrender applications for the dog's, having a representative evaluating them, time networking and the search began for a home that could foster both together. As often happens, there were no available fosters for this challenge, even out of region, so one foster was found for the male. This left Freeland Chelsea alone with the owner she had been with for eight of her ten years, and their immediate future was not looking very bright.
Freeland Chelsea is a regally bred 10 year old with nothing but Champions and Grand Champions on her AKC pedigree. Her breeder had shown her successfully for several years, but poor health caused her to spay and sell her as a 2 year old, and she has not been able to consider a return for Chelsea.
Subsequently, Chelsea lived in a home where she was fed bacon and eggs for breakfast, leading to an overweight condition. She had not been to a vet since 2017! She had never been off the property, and the intimidating male CBR had hogged the pool, the chew toys, and all the tennis balls. Chelsea created her own private survival shell, and although she is the sweetest, most ladylike of Chesapeakes, she was timid and a blank slate in terms of life experience.
Just in time, new Volunteer/Fosters Erin and Bill applied, and Freeland
Chelsea is now the resident foster-to-adopt princess in their home by the Bay! She has started playing with her respectful, male housemate CBR, and she has developed an enthusiastic love of the handheld hose sprinkler (although she's not fond of the rain-all must be on her own terms in typical CBR style!).
According to Erin, Chelsea has Bill wrapped around her paw, and she has
developed an interest in Erin's favorite "Daisy" perfume by rubbing against her when she's wearing it. Just the other evening, Chelsea found a favorite toy and retired to her personal crate on her own to "bond" with it.
She has really flourished in her new setting, and she's opening up to a new, wonderful life there.
***In spite of this new found happiness and progress for Freeland Chelsea, a
stumbling block has occurred. She has developed some growths on her right
eyelid. This often happens with senior CBRs, but hers are concerning, because they are leaking and causing Chelsea to paw and rub them on the furniture. They are itchy and painful, and their growth can impact her sight. Surgical removal has been advised, and she has the appointment set for Nov. 25th . The cost estimate for that, and for some much needed dental work at the same time, is approximately $2300.
So, once again, we are asking for your help in defraying the cost of these
procedures by donating toward her future for a more normal, happy life. After her past eight years, she sure does deserve that.
I thank you on behalf of Freeland Chelsea and all of our CBRRR dogs for your continuing generosity during this month of Thanksgiving!
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