|
Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief & Rescue
July 2025 Newsletter
| | | | |
Be sure and click on "view entire message" at the bottom to see the entire newsletter.
💙🐾 Don't miss any of the dog love 🐾💙
We have so much to tell you.
| | |
Hey CBRR&R Friends,
It’s me, Quincy, your furry and fabulous spokesdog for the 2026 CBRR&R Calendar!
Our annual photo contest is open, and we’re calling on all Chesapeake Bay Retrievers to submit their best photos for a chance to be featured in the 2026 calendar—our biggest fundraiser of the year!
Here’s what you need to know:
Submit Your Photos:
- Two photos per dog
- Dogs only – no humans (seriously!)
- Horizontal / landscape format only
- High-resolution files (300 dpi, over 1MB)
- No cropping or editing—send us the original file!
Want to Reserve a Calendar Day? You can do that too—$10 per date. First come, first served!
Win a Feature Month in the Calendar!
- Top vote-getter picks the month and gets a free calendar
- The next 11 vote-getters each get a full-page month too!
Love & Licks,
Quincy
& the 2026 Calendar Committee
| | You only get out what you are willing to put in | | |
On November 14,2024 we drove to Branson, Missouri to adopt Maggie who was almost 2 at the time. Maggie's owner, Barb, gave her a loving home. But with health issues, Barb wasn't able to give Maggie the active life she needed. When we returned home, we were convinced we had the perfect dog. She was incredibly well trained. Perfect house manners. And she doesn't dig or chew. All was perfect until she encountered the first new visitor to our home. She barked, nipped and lunged.
This also happened every time we met someone on our three daily walks. I interpreted this as aggressive behavior; something my previous two chessies had never exhibited.
Finally, in February of this year, we began seeing a trainer who specializes in behavior modification. In our first session the trainer asked what my goal was for Maggie. I said "To have a dog who is friendly with people and other dogs. I can't accept an aggressive dog."
My discovery was that we didn't have an aggressive dog. We had a dog with a high level of anxiety. That was critical for me to understand. I grew to relax when these situations occurred, which let Maggie know that she could relax. We are into our 19th training session. Maggie and I continue to improve. She is also attending doggie day care where she is interacting with other dogs, with no issues.
She still doesn't know how to play. That, too, is a learning process for her. I have changed my goals for Maggie to be a dog who is happy and stress free. She may or may not want to be a social butterfly. That is her choice.
Deciding to adopt a rescue dog is a huge responsibility. It can come with many challenges. I thought I understood the difference between getting a pup versus bringing home a rescue dog, who had a life before me. Clearly, I did not. Lori Hazen and others from CBRR&R were extremely helpful and did all they could to prepare me. But some things you just have to experience to truly understand. I would urge anyone considering adopting a rescue dog, that may experience challenges, to do so only if you can truly commit to doing whatever it takes, to have a happy and well-adjusted dog.
They are not just another disposable item you can just send back if you don't like it. They deserve our love, time and patience. As the breeder of my two previous Chessies told me multiple times, "You only get out what you are willing to put in."
Mike Brown
Clinton Township, MI
| | Spotlight: Chessies looking for forever homes | | In loving memory of Chase | | |
In March of 2019, our Northwest team learned about a 7-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever in Missouri who urgently needed rescue help. Chase had to live outside after his family moved and could no longer keep him indoors. We quickly lined up a foster home in Idaho, but needed local volunteers and a short-term foster while we arranged his transport.
Thanks to the dedication of local volunteers we found both. Chase spent just a few days with his temporary foster family—just long enough for them to completely fall in love with him. They called and asked if they could adopt him, and of course, we said yes. That was the beginning of Chase’s real forever.
Soon after, we discovered Chase was heartworm positive. His new family never hesitated—they committed to his treatment and gave him all the love and care he had always deserved.
Chase spent the rest of his life as a cherished member of their family, safe, warm, and deeply loved. He recently passed, and our hearts go out to those who gave him the life he should’ve had all along.
This is what his loving family said:
“Today has been a hard day! We had to say goodbye to our best friend and we were so not ready! Chase was the absolute best dog and we were lucky to have him in our lives. When we first met Chase, we were only fostering him for a week until his rescue was going to transport him out of state, but after 2 days with him we knew he had to stay. We had never had a Chesapeake Bay Retriever before, only Labs, but he was perfect! He was so smart, well trained, and had a loving personality! We had to keep him. We still don’t understand how someone could have given him up, but that worked out for us. We took care of him and he loved us unconditionally. He filled our home and our hearts with so much love and laughter. He took a piece of us with him when he crossed the rainbow bridge. We are devastated and truly heartbroken. We will see you again, big bubba!”
Run free, sweet Chase. You were truly loved.
| | In Loving Memory of Abbey | | |
A gentle soul, age 10
Abbey came into rescue at age 3 and was adopted by the most amazing family. She loved going to work with Marc and took her role as big sister to her human baby brother seriously. Even after the family suffered the tragic loss of wife and mother Melanie, Abbey continued to watch over them with quiet devotion and constant companionship.
She was happiest by her humans’ side, whether it was work, camping, hiking, hunting, walking trails, swimming, or playing a peaceful game of fetch. A velcro dog in the best way, Abbey simply wanted to be near the people she loved. Gentle, kind, and endlessly patient, she brought love and comfort wherever she went.
Abbey lived each moment with quiet joy and unwavering love. Her heart was full of loyalty and that was more than enough.
Run free, sweet Abbey girl. You were deeply loved and will never be forgotten.
| | |
by Lisa Bernardez Northwest Regional Director
In the summer of 2018, our team was contacted about a Chesapeake Bay Retriever in Texas who desperately needed saving. Quinn tugged at our hearts in a way we couldn't ignore.
With the help of our CBRR&R family in the South Central region, we pulled Quinn from a shelter and assembled an incredible group of volunteers to transport him to Arkansas. There, he would receive heartworm treatment—and find a foster family who would quickly become his forever home.
We received the heartbreaking news that Quinn passed away peacefully during the night, curled up beside his food bowl. His family said it best: “We really miss him already. Thank you for letting us have him.”
Quinn was unique. He liked his solitude but was never far from the ones he loved. He hated thunderstorms and would climb into bed for comfort. He didn’t care for toys or water, but he adored sunshine and car rides. His best friend Indy, the neighbor’s Great Dane, misses him dearly.
We don’t know what Quinn’s life was like before rescue, but we know it changed for the better because of the kind-hearted people who stepped in to help. To everyone who played a part in Quinn’s journey—from the shelter in Texas to his loving home in Arkansas—thank you. You gave him the chance to be loved, safe, and home.
Run free, Mighty Quinn. You were truly one of a kind.
| | In Loving Memory of Sweet Kona | | |
Adopted at age 10 in 2022, Kona came to us as a senior, but he lived every day with the heart of a puppy and the soul of a warrior. Rescued from the Renton Animal Shelter, he faced cancer with quiet strength and found remission in the care of his loving foster home. He adored hose games, fresh snow, and playing fetch with his Gumby toy, but most of all, he loved being by your side.
From snowflakes to sunny yard days, from curled-up naps to carpet rubs, Kona filled every moment with gentle joy and goofy charm. He reminded us that every dog, no matter their age or past, deserves a second chance and a soft place to land.
Rest easy, sweet boy. Your mama said you were so very loved.
| | |
My boy Arlo (aka Moose) turns 8 years old this Sunday, July 6th!
He may be 8, but he’s still a big, clumsy puppy at heart — a total goof who keeps us laughing every day.
To celebrate, he’s getting his favorite homemade chicken and rice dinner tonight, along with plenty of extra treats (because birthdays deserve snacks)!
Happy Birthday, Moose! You bring so much joy, love, and laughter into our lives. Here’s to many more years of silliness and snuggles.
| | Happy, Happy birthday to the bestest boy. We are so happy you came in and turned our world into yours. Rodeo is officially 4 (June 17)! Lots of love and treats to come! | | |
Happy birthday Cali 8 years old today, she's our sweet shy girl, our water demon and the most kind being God has ever put on earth.
Bob & Karin Leonard
| |
Want to see your CBRR&R alumni on the Birthday & Gotcha club, send name, photo, age and any other fun details to birthdayclub | | Help Alibi with his kidney disease testing | | |
💔 Potential Kidney Disease Diagnosis
Meet Alibi, aka CJ. This sweet 1.5-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever came into our care in January from the Fulton County, GA shelter with no known medical history. Since then, he’s been loved and cared for by a dedicated foster family, who have fallen head over heels for him — and are likely to make him a permanent part of their home.
Recently, Alibi began showing signs of excessive urination, raising concern for early-stage kidney disease. His fosters want to ensure he gets the best possible care, starting with an abdominal ultrasound to get a clear diagnosis and understand what his long-term care might look like.
The estimate for this essential diagnostic care is between $1,386.95 and $1,733.69, and that’s before other routine medical costs like his neuter, vaccines, and additional bloodwork.
🙏 Can you pitch in to help us cover Alibi’s medical costs? Every dollar makes a difference.
Thank you for being part of his journey.
| | CBRR&R Chessies are the most talented | | Best Hiking Buddies & Cairn Builders | | Zara sporting her red, white & blue chessie style | | Attention Members: Its Roo-newal month | | | | |
🌟Membership Renewal Reminder🌟
Haven’t renewed your annual dues yet? There’s still time!
If you’ve already renewed for 2025—thank you! You’re all set.
Need to update your contact info or membership details? Just send us a note at membership@cbrrescue.org.
Your continued support means the world to us and to the dogs!
| | June Adoptions - by Linda Mitchell | | |
Support Max and Neo — a company that gives back! For every item purchased, Max and Neo donates a matching product to a dog rescue like ours. They also send us generous donation boxes throughout the year. When you shop with them, you're helping dogs across the nation.
Our coupon code is: cbrrescue10
It is good for 10% off and we will also get 10% credit when it is used.
| | | | |
We’ve partnered with the Estes Paw Co, to help you provide your dogs with high quality treats!
This link will set you up for a 15% off discount, no need to add discount code, and help the organization continue to help in-need dogs across the country.
| | | | |
