Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief & Rescue
April 2023 Newsletter
Relief efforts have not slowed down.

Despite our current insurance situation, we continue to support Chesapeakes in need.

We provide urgent and non-urgent medical care for Chessies both in and out of rescue as well as "pawlitive" care, training, boarding and more.

Caring for Chessies is our mission.
Hi Everyone,

It's been a rough couple months for all of us who love Chessies, and we're grateful you're still here with us supporting the dogs.

I want to take this opportunity to update you on the state of our insurance situation and our efforts to support dogs and their owners both with financial assistance and in the "adoption options" program.

As you know, in January our long-term liability insurer made a business decision to no longer insure us based on a claim that was filed relating to a bite. We found a new broker who applied to eighteen providers on our behalf, all denied our application due to the open claim.

We consulted with a senior broker as well as an attorney and followed their suggestions. We were referred to another broker and had high hopes we would be accepted. The broker provided us with sample documents, which were used to guide us as we painstakingly updated our volunteer manuals, our policies, safe dog handling training, etc. After two months of work, we submitted our application and on April 13, 2023, we were denied.

In January we asked the Regional Directors by emergency declaration to temporarily stop all dog intake until an acceptable general liability policy could be secured and we're still under this declaration.

The regional directors continue to help, bringing Chessies with medical needs to our attention and working to assist families using "Adoption Options", direct adoption. Some of the stories are included below.

This has been extremely difficult for everyone involved including the dogs and their owners, our volunteers, members, fosters and board members. Your continued support means so much to us during this stressful time. We want to assure you we are continuing our quest for insurance, following every avenue for a solution.

We remain hopeful and dedicated to this effort and our mission to improve the lives of Chessies.


Liz Krizenesky
CBRR&R President
CBRR&R Board of Directors
Chesapeake Bay Retriever "Relief" and Rescue
Our continued efforts to improve the lives of Chessie
Moab - South Central Region "Relief" Mission
We were contacted by a Shelter in Texas letting us know there was a Chessie to be euthanized in a few hours. Dianna, our South Central Regional Director, explained we were closed to intake but found a family willing to take Moab as their own.

Because Moab was sick with Kennel Cough, he had to be tagged by a rescue. After a lengthy discussion with the shelter, Dianna was able to secure Moab's release to Hayden and Miranda.

Soon after, Moab took a turn for the worse and was rushed to the Emergency Veterinarian Hospital and was diagnosed with pneumonia. Estimated cost for treatment $2,500 to $8,800. His new family needed help.

The Board unanimously agreed to fundraise and cover costs for Moab under our "Relief" Mission.

Moab’s hospital stay $4,510.06
Miranda, Hayden and Moab, thank you all!
Moab has now been diagnosed as heartworm positive and will
soon begin treatment.


Chewy - Northwest Region - Young "Pawlitive" Care
Chewy is a sweet young Chessie who has struggled with some medical issues. Arriving with uncontrolled diabetes and very underweight, his amazing fosters went to work getting him healthy, going from 52lbs to 77lbs, tracking blood sugar levels with the Libre meter and giving daily insulin injections.

Because of diabetes, Chewy developed an abscess on his leg and has had to undergo several treatments to get wound healed.

A suspected Melanoma on the third eyelid was detected and removed, labs confirmed it was indeed Melanoma. Chewy's doctor was able to fully remove the tumor and he should not be troubled with it any further.

The Board unanimously agreed to cover costs for Chewy under our "Pawlitive" Mission.

Chewy's Forever Fosters say he is the best, sweetest boy ever.
Beau - Southwest Region - Senior "Pawlitive" Care
Beau came from a shelter in Northern California after being found wandering down the highway on a hot summer day. Nobody came forward to claim him. Due to his senior age and an overfull shelter, he was in danger of being euthanized. 

We were advised his tumor could shrink if he is neutered. The concern was whether this senior was healthy enough. The doctor would not advise treatment unless Beau would really benefit.

Beau's fosters noticed a lesion on his tumor which occasionally bled. Fortunately, someone is home with him during the day can provide excellent care including sponging him daily to lessen the risk of infection.

"We wanted to give him the chance and agreed to help. He’s got a medical problem but otherwise is a wonderful and very loving dog".

The board agreed, and Beau underwent surgery.

Beau's foster family says, Beau has really come to life. He fits right into their family and loves exploring his new yard and hanging out with his new siblings. 
Relief Mission over $4,200
Mr. Beau before surgery, then home from Surgery
A message from Beau's Fosters:

Beau is wonderful. At his 30-day after surgery follow up, his medical team says Beau is great. His tumor has pretty much disappeared, you must look closely.

Beau is happy and active. His coat is now glossy. He gets hours of attention each day, at least when not sleeping.  He has a Chessie "smile" and when dinner is being prepared, he often lets out with a fine "Chessie Roo".  

Beau is a wonderful addition here. We all love him. He follows me everywhere.
Jepp - Southwest - Senior "Pawlitive" Care
Sweet Jepp is a nice older fella who requires some expensive dog food.

Because Jepp is with amazing fosters that love him so much, we believe Jepp should be able to stay with the family he knows and loves, and we will buy his food.
Ranger - MidAtlantic - Resuce Assistance
Mid-Atlantic responded to the email from a partner shelter that had done a cruelty confiscation case in Delaware.

Sweet Ranger needed some help.
Hearing our call, an approved home stepped right up and adopted him.
Yogi - Southwest - Puppy with Injury
Remember this sweet little puppy with the dislocated shoulder?

Yogi's right shoulder was stepped on as a puppy. Since then, Yogi has had intermittent right forelimb lameness exacerbated by exercise (running, long walks). Previous X-rays showed concern for a chronic fracture of the articular surface of the scapula.

A bridge between here and the future is his problem. We continue to support the surgical and medical needs of this young boy.
Yogi - North Central - Good boy in pain "Relief"
Mr. Yogi is a super nice boy that needed some assistance.

It was discovered Yogi had a very painful dewclaw resulting from it not being properly removed as a pup.

Having excess and sharp bones in his foot was causing him great pain.

Yogi's veterinarian suggested surgical correction to help him no longer suffer in pain. We wanted to help.

Now, Yogi feels great and is a happy boy.