I got involved in English Springer Rescue America (ESRA) in 2013. Gabby was my first foster dog. As we all know, I failed. After Gabby decided she was staying, we were able to help a few more dogs. ESRA helped all three of these dogs live out their senior years with the best care possible. I am so grateful I got to be part of the story.
ESRA's Go Diego Go
February 13, 2002 - July 2014- November 20, 2015
Diego came into rescue at 12 years old after his owner died. An email came through saying that Diego needed a foster home. I said to a friend "how hard can a 12 year old black and white be?" I laugh about that to this day. The answer was Very Hard. He was the dog I needed after Buzz died. I only had him for a year and a half, but the lessons he taught me in that short amount of time will last forever. He was certain that if I dared to go in the bathroom alone he had to be right outside the door the whole time... just in case I fell in the toilet or something! The first time I tried to groom him, he was sure biting me would make it stop. Surprisingly, that was our only battle of wills. I miss Diego more than I ever expected to. He was so much work. But also so much love.
ESRA Mandy
Unknown- March 2016-June 16, 2017
Mandy was found as a fat stray dog in Michigan. She was transported to me for evaluation, only supposed to stay a week. Well, she ended up staying the rest of her life. She was very dumb but very sweet. We later learned she was having seizures. That's probably what made her brain not work so well. She hated the car, which was fine because she loved being at home. She was the easiest dog and yet the hardest. I loved grooming her, we found a really pretty dog with good care. I'll always wonder where she came from, and why she was never claimed. She was so loved.
Unknown- March 2016-June 16, 2017
Mandy was found as a fat stray dog in Michigan. She was transported to me for evaluation, only supposed to stay a week. Well, she ended up staying the rest of her life. She was very dumb but very sweet. We later learned she was having seizures. That's probably what made her brain not work so well. She hated the car, which was fine because she loved being at home. She was the easiest dog and yet the hardest. I loved grooming her, we found a really pretty dog with good care. I'll always wonder where she came from, and why she was never claimed. She was so loved.
ESRA Will
May 15, 2003 - May 2017 -February 9, 2019
Will was actually a field bred English Cocker Spaniel. He ended up at my home because he needed additional medical care. He was urine-stained and very anxious: spinning, eating so fast he would regurgitate, obsessively drinking, not sleeping, and barking excessively. He came at the wrong time to stay (Earl was on the way) so we started helping him then found him an amazing forever foster home where I could still manage his care. Will had so many issues we managed, and tried to fix. He never had a bad day in his life. He loved rolling around in plants in the yard. He loved walks. He loved swimming. He really loved everybody and everything. He celebrated his 15th birthday with Susan, his permanent foster, and they had CAKE and PARTY HATS. The smile on Will's face could have made anyone cry happy tears.
May 15, 2003 - May 2017 -February 9, 2019
Will was actually a field bred English Cocker Spaniel. He ended up at my home because he needed additional medical care. He was urine-stained and very anxious: spinning, eating so fast he would regurgitate, obsessively drinking, not sleeping, and barking excessively. He came at the wrong time to stay (Earl was on the way) so we started helping him then found him an amazing forever foster home where I could still manage his care. Will had so many issues we managed, and tried to fix. He never had a bad day in his life. He loved rolling around in plants in the yard. He loved walks. He loved swimming. He really loved everybody and everything. He celebrated his 15th birthday with Susan, his permanent foster, and they had CAKE and PARTY HATS. The smile on Will's face could have made anyone cry happy tears.