Chesapeake Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin A 501(c)(3) Corporation- Non Profit Rescue
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Chesapeake Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin A 501(c)(3) Corporation- Non Profit Rescue
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Mail Bag Here are
some success stories from our adopted people.
Submitted by Maribeth and Bill Knutson
Gus
It has been 2 years since Gus came in our lives.
My how time flies! We cannot imagine what life would be without having him.
Gus is so loving to us and we love him back dearly. Gus keeps me company,
as my husband works the night shift. He cuddles in bed with me until Bill
comes home from work and then it is hard to get him off the bed as he wants
to cuddle with the both of us. Gus loves to go on walks and do some
"investigating" usually finding something to chase after and then receiving
that special treat when we return.
We offer our thanks and gratitude to the Sue and
Merl /CRRoW for bringing Gus into our lives!
Bill and Maribeth Knutson
Neenah, WI
Submitted by Bret and Grace
Grace
Who
We Are:
My name is Bret Simpson, and this is Grace, my 5yr old female, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, that I adopted 5mths ago. We live in the small community of Prairie du Sac, which is situated along the banks of the Wisconsin River. Our "pack" consists of my wife Betty, and our three daughters, Hannah (11) Cameron (9) and Abigail (6). Finding Grace: I can honestly say, that at the time I first learned of Grace, our family was not considering adopting an older dog. We had recently lost our female Labrador, and as a family, had decided on purchasing a CBR puppy. But then I received a phone call from a friend, who had seen Grace and her information, listed at the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief and Rescue website http://www.cbrrescue.org and suggested that I give the foster home a call. When I called Steve and Karen Olson, we were told that our family was 4th on the list of adoptive hopefuls, we discussed Grace and her story, and I was told that they would give me a call if she became available. Two weeks later I called again, and was asked if wed like to meet her. The rest, as they say, is history. From our initial meeting with Steve, Karen, and Grace, we knew she was the dog for us. She was great with my kids, she had a gentle temperament, and she listened well to commands given her by Steve. Training: I'm an avid hunter of upland birds and waterfowl. As we integrated Grace into our home, lifestyle and routines, I was assessing Grace and her trainability and her retrieving desire. Grace and I would work together most everyday on small retrieving drills. During this time, I also had her enrolled in Obedience Classes, and we would work on the homework material from class as well. Chesapeakes are quick learners, and within a matter of weeks, not only was she performing the obedience commands, but I had also taught her how to "hold", and retrieve her bumpers to heel/hand. With the success we were having with her other training, I moved Grace into field training. We worked over live birds, both Pheasants, and Chukars. She proved herself again, with a great nose, and a no quit attitude when finding birds to flush, or birds to retrieve after they had been shot. I was continually amazed at her ability to learn the concepts of upland hunting, and her desire to please, when we were in the field. Why Rescue? There are many good reasons to adopt a rescue dog. The general false understanding that rescue dogs can be problematic, is a misnomer. Most problems associated with rescue dogs are that of their human handlers, and their lack of understanding canine behavior. Rescue dogs offer a multitude of advantages. They are always spayed or neutered, they are current on all their shots, they are housebroken, and most have had some type of formalized training. Given the expenses associated with bringing a new pup home, housebreaking him, his first year of shots, and the boundless energy that puppies have for causing trouble, a rescue dog, may be the answer for your household. Volunteers/Foster Homes Needed: I became active in CBR Rescue of WI. 6 weeks after we had brought Grace home. I was asked to foster a 2 yr old female that was being rescued from a back yard breeder. Fostering a dog is a wonderful experience, by opening your home to a rescued dog, you are providing the foundation for the dogs return to a balanced life. Fostering consists of evaluating the dog, re-socializing the dog in a positive home atmosphere, determining the dogs character, working ability, and its likes/dislikes. It can be challenging, but it is also very rewarding to know that you are the first step in placing the dog in its new forever home. If you have any questions regarding rescue opportunities, fostering, or adopting a dog, please contact me at 608/643/0437. Id be happy to take the time to answer any questions or concerns that you may have regarding the entire rescue process. Thanks for reading about us. Bret and Grace.
Submitted by Gayle
We received Hunter "Jake" in May of 2001. When he came to us he was such a wreck. He only weighed 75 pounds and his hair was very mangy. We immediately got him on a good food and supplemented his diet with vitamins, especially "E". He had been neutered right before we got him so I didn't take him to a vet for about 2-3 weeks. During which time we tried to get him to adjust to living inside of a house, since I think he spent his whole life in a kennel. He was afraid of everything, and I do mean everything. He wouldn't leave the living room even if you dragged him. He would run right back in to the living room sit patiently on the edge of the carpet until you returned He wouldn't move an inch and would look so happy when you returned it almost made you laugh. He wouldn't walk through doors, wouldn't go near beds or stairs or anything for a long time. We used to have to put him in his kennel to settle down because he was so stressed out. We felt bad for him and didn't know what we had gotten ourselves into. We were worried that he was completely wrecked. But he was so absolutely sweet and gentle we just couldn't give up on him. And actually, he came around rather quickly. He tries so hard to do what you ask him to do. So now it's almost May which means we have had him almost a year. It doesn't even seem like the same dog that we started with. He is a true testament to the bravery and unwavering spirit of a Chessie. No matter what they've been through, they never seem to give up the hope of being loved. Good old Hunter, We have had our share of laughs over the year. We had him trained to hunt. That was really hard on him. But, he did a great job when he was at the kennel club. However.....................The first time my husband took him duck hunting, when everyone shot for the first time, Hunter took off in the opposite direction. He ran across the entire island, jumped in the river and swan across to get to another island, where my brother found him sitting 1/2 hr later like he was expecting to be picked up and it was no big deal. they took him back to their island and tied him to a tree while they finished their hunt . He proceeded to dig a hole and play with rick the rest of the afternoon. Never flinching at the gunfire. That's Hunter. Who knows what he is going to do. Bryon took him pheasant hunting a few months later. Hunter stood by the truck the whole time. He wanted nothing to do with it. We decided not to give up on him. He loved to be outside and when we had him trained, he did a great job of hunting and retrieving. The next pheasant hunt he stood by Bryon instead of the car. We felt like that was a major improvement. The third time was a charm. He stood by my husband most of the time until about halfway through the hunt. Something clicked in his head and he started hunting. Running like a dear with his nose right up in the air. Not down on the ground like the other dogs. Straight up and prancing. We laughed at how happy he looked.
It turns out he is a great hunter. He
has a great nose too. Who would have thought.
But, I do give us some credit. When
other people would have probably given up on him, we just kept coaxing him
on. He's just not good at new situations. It takes a while to be o.k. I think
that he thinks he getting taken to a new home (because he's had so many). He's
afraid of being left somewhere. Now, he is my shadow. He follows me
everywhere. When I blow dry my hair he has to stand there with his head down
to be petted. His big furry lips flopping forward. He is a big baby, I hope
that people read our story and learn that dogs can do a lot of rehab if you
love them . Don't listen to other people, you know your dogs heart. and I do
believe that Chessies have an unbreakable spirit. They are such a beautiful
dog and they get so unbelievably attached to you. You become their world,
that is for sure.
Gayle
Submitted by George & Kathy
Carlie
Carlie's story begins, for us, with our
first Chessie, Kori. Kori was a wonderful Chesapeake who lived with us for
12-1/2 years and left us in November 1998. It was a huge loss for my husband,
George, and me as she wasn't only our friend and companion, but also our dog-ter.
After Kori died, I found our house to be way too quiet and lonely. I would look at the CBR Rescue site just about every day and long for another beautiful brown dog. And although I saw many dogs for adoption and would hold out hope that one of them would be ours, I never felt compelled to call or fill out an adoption application. Until I saw Carlie's picture! As soon as I saw that face, I knew she would be living in our house. Something about her just reached right through the picture and grabbed my heart. So, after a lengthy conversation with Carlie's foster parents, we set a date for us to meet. Sue and Merl brought Carlie to meet us on August 5, 1999.
It was with much anticipation that we awaited her
arrival. When the doorbell rang, George rushed to the front door. There was
Carlie, sitting so pretty and looking up at him when he opened the door. She
brought tears to his eyes, because he knew, too, after one look that we would be
hers. When Carlie entered our house I think she knew instantly that it would be
hers forever! While I spent time talking to Sue and Merl, Carlie spent her time
getting George to take her outside to get to know the grounds. There was just an
immediate bond between Carlie and us. She's about 7 or 8 years old now and although she is getting gray in the face, Carlie is still a puppy when it comes to the water. She cant live without it! She is an absolute sweetheart and loves everybody, but is most content when she's lying between George and me. Were absolutely crazy, head over heels in love with her! The day she walked into our lives is one of the best days of our lives. Every day starts with a snuggle session and the love never stops.
Submitted By Cheryl It all began innocently enough. I was reading my e-mail one evening, and found a note from an online friend who is involved in various breed rescue groups. She knew that my husband and I owned several Golden Retrievers and that we were also involved in rescue. She also knew where we lived - that's when it all started! Her request was simple enough - could we provide overnight accommodations for two Chessies (a mother and daughter, ages 10 and 8) who were traveling from Wisconsin to their "Forever Home" in New Mexico? Of course, we said yes. On the appointed Friday evening, the two "brown dogs", Katie and Misty arrived and, after exchanging ritual sniffs with our Golden "pack", settled in as if they'd been part of the family all their lives. Their house manners were impeccable and their genteel method of seeking attention was never bothersome. They were tired from their day of travel, but had enough energy to captivate Dave and me completely. When it came time to send them on their way the following morning the feeling was bittersweet. We were missing them after only an hour or two. The following week, I received a call from our Chessie Rescue contact. I expected to hear that the girls were settled happily in their new home. I was completely taken aback when I was told instead that the person who was to have adopted them had been in an automobile accident and was thus forced to back out on the adoption. The girls were being boarded with an Albuquerque vet while their futures could be worked out. Somewhere in my heart I knew that Katie and Misty were meant to be with us, so without hesitation I asked if it would be possible for my husband and me to be considered as an adoptive home. (Actually, I think I might have begged - I just don't remember because I was so excited at the possibility of making these girls part of our canine family.) When the approval came, Dave and I were ecstatic, and a week later, "The Girlz" were back with us in Illinois.
Now, six months later it's hard to remember when
the Chessie Girls weren't part of our lives. Their personalities have emerged
and they're definitely individuals!
Misty, at age nine, is still quite playful
despite being mildly dysphasic and arthritic. Finding toys that could
withstand her energetic chewing proved to be a challenge! After the first couple
of months, she emerged as the "referee" of the pack, and is quick to intervene
if she feels our Goldens are becoming too rowdy in their wrestling matches. She
simply steps between them and issues a soft "woof!" to restore order. This
behavior has earned her the nickname The Enforcer". Her only fault is her
insatiable appetite combined with her cleverness. After years of owning dogs, we
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