My story began when my now FOREVER Mommy decided she wanted to love another dog. The the venture began on the hunt to rescue a sweet male Cocker Spaniel, that’s me!

Along the journey I had great helpers; my Auntie Julie and Lissy (my Cocker cousin.) We ran into a lot of obstacles reaching out to Cocker Spaniel rescue groups in Washington, California, Victoria BC, Petfinder, Adopt-a-Pet and others.  After a lot of attempts, Auntie Julie got in touch with Elizabeth Mazzetti with Second Chance Cocker Rescue. Elizabeth sent a volunteer over to check out my potential new people and home. Everything checked out good.  On Monday September 8th, at 2:00 pm, believe me I was saying my doggie prays, time was limited for me. The shelter called Elizabeth to see if SCCR could rescue me. Then the phone rang at Auntie Julie’s, telling her they had a dog that they thought was a good match.  As handsome as I am, my hair wasn’t done, my nails weren’t trimmed, I hadn’t been bathed, snap my picture was taken but it was YES, YES, YES when she saw me. The group started their process and sent someone to get me; WOW that was close! During the next two weeks, I had a check-up, got neutered, and was nicely groomed.

My journey started in Southern California and I went all the way up to Oregon.   On September 22nd I arrived at my forever home with my forever mommy.

• Love, Chance

Julie wanted to take a moment to thank Elizabeth Mazzetti:

My heart could never express how very blessed I am for God making such a wonderful woman, as she’s so kind and caring. Not just to God’s creatures, but to me for trusting me and making this happen for my mother.  Thank you kindly Elizabeth.

We have special request of our friends, to help us thank SCCR; if you could and when you want to donate to a very worth while cause this organization is it and I mean that with all my heart. This journey for me has been emotional hard, but to make someone else smile in the end
it’s all worth it.  So please help me thank them today and in the future and donate to save another and give a second chance just like our “Chance”.   Secondchancecockerrescue.org     Thank you!

-Julie

In October of this year, we received a call from an animal advocate from the Los Angeles area, asking Second Chance Cocker Rescue to please consider taking in a young cocker girl named Mimi. Mimi‘s family situation had changed and the not quite one-year-old baby girl was not doing well at all. Mimi came to my home in Bakersfield to foster while she was getting her medical care, before being adopted. New mom Lin, saw Mimi‘s picture and instantly fell in love! Within a week of her arrival into our organization, Miss Mimi was on her way home to Oregon with her adoring adoptive family!

Letter from new mom Lin;
Debra, we went on our first family vacation during Thanksgiving! Our family had been planning to visit Vancouver Island, BC, for a year. A bit apprehensive about so much so soon for Mimi, but John, Teddy and I were there for her. It rained a lot. We were on the Pacific coast in a little town called Tofino. We read books in our room and watched the storms out over the ocean!  We really feel like a family. I will never be able to thank you enough for bringing Mimi into our lives. 🐾

On our way to the Dog Hotel on Tofino. They allow dogs in the dining room, and they provide galoshes and raincoats for their canine guests!
Mimi and her new brother Teddy, here at the best dog beach ever, in Tofino, picking out the perfect stick to play fetch!

Mimi was a very sweet girl and she has blossomed under the adoring care of her new family. Mimi adores everyone she meets, but especially her new brother Teddy, who she follows wherever he goes! They bonded at their first meeting and are inseparable!

Thanks to donations, large and small, we are able to keep doing what we do: rescue, rehabilitate and rehome, so dogs like Mimi can keep having excellent adventures.

A letter from Lily and Luna’s former family:

In late July, we were forced to make a very difficult decision for our two Cocker Spaniels, Lili and Luna, who are 6 year old litter mates. A devastating financial situation occurred, and the loss of our jobs resulted in the loss of our home. Lili and Luna were living in an apartment with us and another family, and were being forced to spend a portion of the day kenneled. It was devastating to realize that we needed to do the right thing, and begin to search for a new home for our girls.

We were desperate, but we were really blesssed to have found Second Chance Cocker Rescue! We were really worried about their future because we had looked into a couple of shelters but they weren’t able to help us find the homes they needed, and made no promises that they would ever leave that place. We never thought we were going to be in this type of situation. We were warned not to put them on Craigslist, but we were running out of options and out of time. We had to move again and couldn’t take them with us. Then we saw the light at the end of tunnel, when we found your rescue. When you said that you were going to be able to take them into your own home, and that you would make sure they went to a good family, we were literally jumping up and down for joy! You were very kind and informative and let us know everything that needed to be done in order for them to get adopted as quickly as possible. I mean, we could literally see and feel all the love and effort that you and everyone involved in this process were doing to ensure the safety and happiness of Lili and Luna. It hurt to see them go, and it was especially difficult for my husband, since he was the closest to them. We can’t tell you how much seeing their new family with them meant to us! They looked so beautiful and it just makes us really happy. It brought tears to my husband’s eyes, but they were of happiness and relief. We are very thankful and have no words to express our gratitude! You never asked us for anything in return, and that is what still amazes me. We could see your true love for these little ones. We appreciate all the care you gave Luna during her surgery to remove a tumor. We thank God for you all. We will never be able to thank your rescue enough for the peace of mind you gave to our family.

A letter from Lily and Luna’s new family:

Hi Debbie, the grandkids and I just got back from a walk in my neighborhood with Luna and Lili, and they did great! Here is a picture of Lili and Luna and their best friends, which are my grandkids! They are continuing  to settle in, and we all adore them! They are perfect in every way! Please share this picture with their old family. Please tell them we are so grateful for the priceless gift of Lili and Luna. We are so in love with these two girls! Will continue sending updates of our adventures! Hugs to you all!

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The story of Lili and Luna’s rescue and adoption is one that we thought was important to share. Sometimes people are not very understanding when a family asks for help in finding a new forever family for their dog. I watch families come to my home and spend hours at times, tearfully saying goodbye to a beloved family member. It is heartbreaking to watch. From the first moment of contact with the surrendering family, we try to prepare them for the process and we give them every opportunity to find other options for their situations. A few times, I have held on to the pup and returned the dog to the original owner when they found a solution to their problem. Rescue is more than taking dogs and finding adopters. It’s about loving someone’s dog enough to find the perfect home and sharing that miracle with both families. At the end of the day, that is why we really rescue, foster, and search for the perfect new forever home for a beloved family member.

We couldn’t do this without the help of all of you. All donations, large and small are so appreciated!

Meet Jimmy! It has been raining senior Cockers here at Second Chance Cocker Rescue. As long as we have openings in the Bed & Biscuit, and you will help us with their medical costs, we will take them in.

Jimmy is about 12 years young and and super sweet! But he has many senior problems like dry eye, he is not neutered, he needs major dental work, and also has a cyst near his rear end that needs to be removed.  His vet bills will run $800 to $900.

Jimmy is still fighting off kennel cough, so it will be another week or so before he can have surgery. Jimmy really needs our help so that he can be pain free and live out the rest of his life in a safe home! Please help us rescue Jimmy and consider a donation for his vet bills! 

Jimmy will also be available for our Sanctuary Program, where you give him food and love and we take care of all of his medical expenses. A win-win for everyone! Paws crossed Jimmy will be in someone’s loving home this Christmas.

Second Chance Cocker Rescue was contacted a few months ago, and asked for help in finding a safe place for 11 year old June.  June is new to our Bed & Biscuit program! We welcomed sweet little June, and what a wonderful addition she is. June is 11 years young, and healthy for her age. As some Cockers do, she has ear issues. She was just re-evaluated and our vet has recommended a lateral ear resection on both ears, which will cost about $2,000. She will need this procedure in order to give her proper care, and to make her more comfortable and happy. Won’t you consider helping to give sweet June this gift for the holiday season?  She is also hoping for a forever home. While the Bed & Biscuit is a wonderful place for our seniors, nothing beats a sofa, a bed and a family to call her own. We appreciate your helping this sweet little lady!

Lucy was adopted 5 years ago through SCCR by her previous owner.  He passed away this past summer leaving her sad and confused.  His dying wish was for her to get a “Third Chance.” SCCR always takes our dogs back, and eagerly began to look for Lucy’s new home.  Within a week she found a foster family who decided to make her a permanent part of their family. Lucky Lucy! Her new Cocker siblings were a bit skeptical at first, but now they share everything.

Lucy was well loved and taken care of by her previous owner, but she did come with some medical issues.  It was learned she had an unknown allergy and had developed a skin infection.  She had surgery for bladder stones in the past, and has a propensity to redevelop them requiring special care.  She also has had surgery for a torn ACL on one hind leg, and has ACL damage to the other leg requiring treatment.

It was decided we would try an alternative path to treat her ailments.  She visited a Holistic Vet to determine what we could do for her.  Her family started her off with a wholesome diet, supplements and Chinese herbs.  She also required weekly medicated baths for a month to deal with the skin infection.  To help stabilize her knee, she began wearing a special brace.  At her last checkup, she showed great improvement and the vet decided Lucy was ready to start Prolotherapy for her arthritis and ACL.  Unfortunately, it is going to be costly, and require several visits over approximately 4 months.

Lucy loves to be around people.  Her new siblings told her about this great gig as a Therapy Dog.  They have children read to them.  They get to de-stress College students during finals and get lots of attention.  They cheer up veterans and help patients in nursing homes.  Her family found an organization which certifies in this field, and she just completed the Therapy Dog program.  She recently interviewed to be a volunteer employee with VITAS Paw Pals to help hospice patients like her dad and siblings.  Lucy is looking forward to feeling better and giving back.

Lucy is part of the SCCR Sanctuary Program, where we pay all her medical needs while her family provides for her other needs and plenty of love.  Her total expenses are expected to exceed $1,500 with ongoing monthly prescription expenses of about $100. Any amount you can donate to help with Lucy’s expenses, helps us to take care of Lucy and all of our other medical and senior dogs. We can’t do it without our “pack.” Thank you!

This boy was named Shakie Butt. Yes, that’s what his loving owner named him, most likely because that’s what he did. That’s what all Cocker cuties do.  His owner had to go to the hospital and begged her neighbor to take care of her dogs until she got out, which she was supposed to do!  Then she had a stroke, and died.  The neighbor continued to take care of Shakie Butt since his owner died at the beginning of October, but Shakie Butt was still living at his owner’s house, and the neighbor couldn’t take him herself.  The lady that died had a nephew (the only living relative) that the neighbor contacted and he told her, “open the gate and let him out.” She wouldn’t think of doing that, so she contacted Second Chance Cocker Rescue.  We agreed to get him!

When we first got him, his coat was a mess. We just groomed him and wow, he is really a looker!  Underneath all that black fur, he is flecked with gray like a blue merle. He is a dapper and handsome boy.  He may have some English Cocker in him due to his coloring and his size and muzzle. He is a larger size boy. The neighbor who helped him after his owner died thought he was probably 5-6 years old, but his teeth look good, so he may be younger.  We will have a better idea when he sees our vet.

We changed his name to something more fitting for such a handsome fella, Wyatt. He does great with other dogs, not necessarily playing with them, but he is fine peacefully cohabitating with them.  He is good with people too.

Although Wyatt is not as desperate as some of our dogs, we need help getting him vetted and ready to be adopted. Any donation, large or small is so appreciated. Wyatt is doing a happy dance shaking his butt in thanks!