New York Chesapeake Bay Retriever Rescue

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Taking a Chessie to Heart

    Up on a hillside of Seneca Lake, four Chesapeake Bay Retrievers were trotting with an extra spring in their step. On September 16, 2000, the Saturday morning was cold, the air smelling of fall approaching. And yet, the clouds billowed by like sails of great ships as the wind danced about the beautiful lake country hills. There were sounds of strange voices --- the four dogs sensed something was up!

    Here at Sangary Kennels, just a few miles north of Watkins Glen in upstate New York, people and dogs gathered for the first annual Chessie Rescue Weekend event. Saturday was the Rescued Chessie Fun Day, a gathering of Chesapeake Bay Retriever rescue volunteers, rescued dogs, and their owners. Sunday was an All-Breed Fun Match, a practice dog show open to the public, with conformation and obedience events to help raise funds for Chessie Rescue efforts.

    The hosts, Sandie and Gary Pappa, smile as they talk about the Chesapeakes they have taken in to foster. At Sangary Kennels, there are usually 4 to 7 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers who were found as strays, given up by their owners, or rescued from pounds. These "rescue" dogs are homeless, some from far away, some with sad pasts. For example, beautiful brown Sadie had lived her first year of life tied to a tree in North Carolina with little human contact. She had become riddled with fleas, ticks, and worms and was fed every few days or so, becoming very thin before a volunteer rescued her.

    But here at Sangary, nature and nurture embrace these dogs. To Sadie, Mariah, Chessy, and Sheena, this is a place to rest their minds and bodies from the past. Birds flutter by, wildflowers sway in the wind, and a big pond invites those webbed feet to take a dip. Good food and room to exercise become the daily feast. The same kind man and woman take care of them day after day. And there are new rules to learn and new things to do but these dogs don't mind. Sangary is a breath of spring air compared to the winter grey of their pasts.

    On Saturday's Chessie Rescue Fun Day, workshops on tracking and hunt tests were warmed up by a lunch of homemade chili and other goodies. It was a casual day to talk with other Chesapeake Bay Retriever owners and to meet rescue volunteers from far away. People played with the Chessies in rescue. And they met Billy again, a formerly homeless Chessie, and his new owners. Originally, young Billy was found tied to a post in a New York City dog park. The rescue volunteers could see how their efforts had paid off because Billy seemed happier and calmer now that he had enjoyed a loving home for five months.

    On Sunday, the sun sparkled on the lake and rose up high over the hills to heat up the day for the first annual All-Breed Fun Match. Two Chesapeakes, Billy and Sadie, took a swim in the pond while other dogs of every shape and color began to gather in the shade near the competition rings. As judges entered each ring, a woman groomed her fluffy Pomeranian while a gentle 170-lb. Mastiff walked with his owner.

    Beyond the obedience rings, the distant green ridge above Seneca Lake was tinged with autumn color while the sun burned in the blue sky. Judges carefully watched dogs and handlers then called the winners. Grinning dog owners accepted ribbons and prizes. Camera shutters clicked. Then a fund-raising raffle was held with prizes ranging from a wine and cheese filled picnic basket to an assortment of dog biscuits.

    At the end of Sunday's Fun Match, volunteers paraded all of the homeless Chesapeake Bay Retrievers into the ring while the host, Sandie Pappa, spoke. She explained each dog's history and thanked everyone for coming to help raise money for the New York Chessie Rescue efforts.

    The last dog, Billy, entered the ring with his new owner. As Billy gazed into his owner's eyes, Sandie spoke about his past while trying to hold back tears. She explained that it is a story like Billy's that makes all their efforts in rescue so worthwhile. As the Fun Match ended, there were moist eyes in the sun. Then, while people packed up and said their goodbyes, Sadie, Mariah, Chessy, and Sheena trotted in their pens, enjoying the sunshine with new hope.


    Each year in September, the Chessie Fun Weekend is held at NY CBR Rescue headquarters in Rock Stream, NY near Watkins Glen.  For more information, contact Sandie Pappa at (607) 535-7069 or e-mail: chessy@onlineimage.com.

    ------ There is a Chessie just waiting to meet you! Fill out the adoption application and mail it in. -----