MANY GOOD THINGS HAPPEN -
(YES, chessies can be rehomed and bond with love to another)

All of us with the Graduate.

This is Kobe meeting new folks at the Graduation earlier this month. Such a big scary boy!

Kobe's newest friend reacts after getting a big Chessie kiss.

Rainbow Bridge
by Carol Vose

In the Chesapeake Bay Retriever world, when a dog comes to the end of days, it is said that they go to the “Rainbow Bridge”. It is also said that dogs, unlike many humans, are unafraid of dying- that they innately understand when it is their time, and go forward into the unknown with an open heart.

Folkloric as they may be, these bits of wisdom have comforted me during the recent loss of our dear Chessie girl, Holly, who passed away on Tuesday, July 20, 2010. She was 11, and had been part of our family for almost 2 years.

Holly came to us from the Safe Harbor Rescue, an organization that saves Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, established and operated by Ron and Jane Peabody, located in Bremen, Maine. She was the second Chessie I’ve had the pleasure of rehoming. The first was dear Sammy, who came to us unsocialized at age 8, and blossomed into a grand old gentleman who went to the Rainbow Bridge at 16.

Holly arrived at Safe Harbor from another rescue group who believed she would never find a home, and was expected to live out her days at the shelter. Jane Peabody had other ideas, and when I called, newly diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, she said she thought she had the perfect companion for me. …And she did.
Holly had spent all of her life in a “puppy mill” producing pups for the trade, living in a kennel, with no family of her own, not even her babies. When we met, she had a sweet, extremely quiet and sedate personality, but showed signs of knowing her own mind. She looked at me, sauntered over and put her head in my lap, then settled at my feet with her head on my toes.

Our bond grew over the months we had together; she blended beautifully into our family, and made many friends. As I am unable to walk any distance, my sweet father, age 79, came faithfully at least three days each week to give her what we called, “the long walk” down the hill and into the village. Our kind neighbor, Paul, would babysit her whenever we had a long day away from home, and my dad would stay nights with her when I went for treatment each month.

Holly learned new tricks- she loved going up and down stairs, she learned to wait patiently at meals under our young son’s chair for bits of tasty food, she pranced and danced and loved to bark at the world- at one neighborhood kitty, in particular! She expressed herself succinctly, in spite of being deaf. She loved a good soup bone, doggie treats, ice cream and all sorts of healthy people food. She loved rides in the car, games of catch, entertaining visitors and rolling on the ground!

About 6 months ago she began having seizures, which were small at first, and she recovered quickly. We took her to our vet, Dr. Barbara Jenson , to find out what was causing the episodes; her blood work indicated low blood sugar and a probable tumor on her pancreas. Due to her advanced age, Barbara suggested we feed her small meals every couple of hours- which staved off the seizures for almost two months (they had been frequent).
This past Friday, however, she had a massive attack, from which she did not recover. She could not rouse to take water until 5 hours later. Afterwards, “Whirly Girl”, as I had nicknamed her because her tail seemed to make a complete circle when wagging, just couldn’t bounce back. She remained weak and in pain, it was agonizingly clear after several days that our valiant friend needed our help to end her suffering.

It is, as all animal lovers know, so very painful to see our beloved companions suffer, and so difficult at times to decide what to do. I called Jane at Safe Harbor, who reassured me that we had done all we could for Holly; our vet, Barbara, agreed. Holly was calm in the doctor’s examining room, I could see she was not fearful. My father and I were present for her passing, I held her face in my hands for one last kiss; she slipped away effortlessly.
Holly brought us many gifts. She was an intelligent, intuitive being who enjoyed her life. She was always very present, in the moment, consistently loving and appreciative for what she had. In spite of her hard life, she was very social, gracious, greeting all our guests, offering paw, and joining in our conversations. I loved her Chessie language, with its resonant lowing sounds and famous “Aroo-roo” bark. Her care brought my father and I even closer together, and we owe many morning coffee talks to her presence.

We knew when we adopted a senior dog that her time was limited; we agreed to enfold her in our family, to do all we could for her, and in return, we received so much love- love beyond the containment of years, a forever love, a forever friend.

Special treats and supplies" for our Chesapeake Safe Harbor residents compliments of Miss Cindy S. of a town near us here in Maine. For her 5th birthday this week, she asked her guests to bring something for the Chessies at Safe Harbor instead of gifts for her. What a wonderful, thoughtful thing to do!!

3 Peakes in western MA (photo by Roger Booth)

3 Ugly Brown Dogs enjoying the good life (photo by Roger Booth)

Ginger & Peanut doing what they like best - being beach bums!!! (photo by Roger Booth)

Memories - Simon and Evan

Muscie came to Safe Harbor from the deep south; after spending a short time here, Muscie found the perfect home in NY, and quickly went on to pass her Good Citizen Test at the ACC national specialty in MA and then earn her Therapy Dog certification. Now she can share her love and happy personality with many new friends at hospitals and nursing homes. Nice job, Kelly Case and family!

Peanut, our ultra shy girl, loves her bumpers AND the water.

Peanut keeping her bumpers close.

Such a happy girl, our Peanut!

Couldn't let this bumper get away!

Our Family

ADOPTED SINCE JANUARY 1, 2003
Sara Ed Holly Scout Champ Brady Scooter Cassi Salty Dog Tally Buddy Sydney Chelsea Bear Jake Bandit Norman Bryce Jetta Winston Dutch Amber Tug Chelsea LeRoy Shadow Smiley Bruiser Cassie Woody Bay Ginger Shadow Tucker Molly Chelsea Brandy Ira Coco Hudson Baylie Mille Chelsea aka Angel Plunkett Shilo Toby BaBa Jetta Molly (2) Homer Beau Smoke Murphy Brownie Flynner Kizzee Big Man aka Hank Sadie Shawnee Hudson Bernie Cindy Shadow Cydney Duke Drake Tailar Bear Scrappy Grady Bear Cassi Boomer Griffi Cody Luke Elsa Molly Oak Bruwen Leah Chester Simon Hank Shadow Max Chessy aka Ginger Flynner Chuckie aka Sam Homer Maddie aka Amelia Jesse (2) Leah Cody Jazz Brandy (1)	Jessie Bailey Nauticus Brandy Casey Brodie Cocoa aka Cabo Montana Dutchess Angel Gus Mocha Hooch Bogart Belle Indie Choco Shadow Stoli Fritz Rory Phoenix(2) Marlee aka Sadie Oscar Cooper Bear Brownie Penny Mocha Joey Jack Phoenix Henry Bandit Misha Gordo Briar Maddie Sergeant Reese T.J. aka Rainy Brandy Sunny Nauticus Sage Jake Daisy aka Sadie Noell Bernie Sage Dan Nauticus Buzz Brandy Jake Daisy Amber Goober aka Gordan Alf Plunkett Penny Beau Jessie Dante Phoenix (again) Sergeant (again) Ginger aka Molly Woody Morgan Dozer Mia Dutch Max Abby Bailey Josie Kama aka Coco Maggie Bear William Abby Bailey Josie Buck Trident Lager Toby Cody Buddy Rita aka Ruby Tobias Tonka Fudge Angel Charlotte	Sammy Reese Sadie Brownie Bella Remy Bruiser Woody Savannah Eisele Teal Quincy Betsy Buddy(2) Java Asa aka Angel Savannah Delta Gus Waylon Shilo Lady Mel George Brady Chester Buddy-3 Dante Beau Max Phoenix Chessie William Bruiser Danny Sadie Titan Belle Hobie Curly Mason-2 Pluto Ginger Sadie Libby Henry Chester Reba & Trisha Ginger Cassie Lucky Trisha Reba Snoop Kisses Chesea Baya Chessie Bay Girl aka Gracie Libby Maggie Loofah Emma 2 Trixie Chester Willow aka Holly Percy Brutus Lorelie Mason Hailey Myles Sam Clancy Billie Petey Starr Jesse Fudge Hailey Suzie Amber Jack Joe Miles Lady & 4 pups Sunny June Bear Chloe Jesse Hunter Leah Griffy Hershey Dora	Chewy Holly Baby Rusty Hershey Chewy Dexter Dora Holly Peanut Hammie O'Henry JD Goose Buster Brown Rusty Diamond Shelby Rugby Fred Katie Guinness Kayah Buddy-IV Ellie Libby Freedom Massey Teal Guiness Jessie (3) Gunner Gus Jesse Nellie Ellie General Major Quila Harley Hershey Jessie Rugby Charity Lady Kezar Finne Mossy Moe Jessie Emmy Ginger Gumbo Hank Walter Finne Quila Buddy 1V Suma Buddy Reeko Jaeger Bomber Caesar Blaster Red Maggie Ginger Red Stella Fonze

- Return to top -