April 22, 2006:
Dear Friends,

This Tuesday I had to put my sweet little Francesca/Chessie to sleep. As all of you know Chessie's life had been full of abuse, leading to eventual abandonment, yet she never gave up, her will to live was amazing. Well, on tuesday morning, when Chessie was critically ill, both my vet and I saw that she wanted her suffering to be over. She had had enough.

Though my time with Chessie was brief, her beautiful spirit, love of life and everyone in it was inspiring. She in no way deserved the life that was given her, but at least I am comforted in knowing I had the priviledge to give her joy in the last months of her life. I would like to think that now she is running through the warm spring grass without any pain, playing with all that she meets and basking in the sunshine.

Chessie will always be with me, she will never be forgotten ...

Sue

October 22, 2005:
Chessie has been adopted by Susan Lucht of Alden, NY. We would like to thank all of Chessie's Guardian Angels for everything they did for this sweet girl. Chessie's spirit and determination have remained strong throughout her rehabilitation. Her strength and will to live has amazed us all. If it wouldn't have been for all of her Guardian Angels, Chessie wouldn't have known what it was like to live nearly pain free. We are very grateful to all of you. We are also very grateful to Art and Judy Delusky for taking this malnourished, sick, weak, and hurting dog and turning her into a healthy, beautiful, amazing dog who was ready to go to her forever home. I know Chessie took a piece of all of our hearts with her as she went on to enjoy her new life in her new home.

September 22 Update:
Chessie is home from the hospital (MSU) and is doing really well. The doctors at MSU were pleased with how the surgery turned out. Chessie is standing on her legs already and is a very happy girl. Chessie will be availalbe for adoption in a few weeks, so if you'd like to consider adopting her, please fill out an adoption application. Thanks again to all of the wonderful people who have generously helped Chessie!

September 20 Update:
Chessie had her surgery today and is doing well. She was supposed to have her surgery yesterday, but MSU had an emergency and Dr. DeKamp was tied up all day helping a dog who had been hit by a car. SPS very grateful to all of the generous people who helped make Chessie's surgery possible. We have two more "special needs" Shar Pei right now. You can read about them here. Thanks again to all of Chessie's Guardian Angels!

September 10 Update:
WE'RE THERE! Our prayers have been answered! We have raised 100% of the money needed to operate on both of Chessie's knees on Monday, September 19. Thank you so much to all of the generous people out there who have become Chessie's Guardian Angels. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Each and every one of you are already a part of making Chessie's future so much better!

September 10 Update 1:
We're $150 away from the $2600 needed for Chessie's vet care, so we're getting very close. Thank you to all of Chessie's Guardian Angels! If you can spare a few dollars, we would be very grateful for your help!

August 29 Update:
Chessie went to Michigan State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital today for her evaluation. Judy was there for over 4.5 hours while a team of four orthopedic specialists evaluated Chessie. The verdict: CHESSIE'S KNEES CAN BE FIXED! We are so happy that MSU can help Chessie. It is going to cost $2000 total to fix both knees, so Shar Pei Savers needs to raise an additional $1100 to pay for Chessie's care. Can you help? Please, please, please?

August 25 Update:
Chessie went to see Dr. Tim again yesterday and he took some x-rays. He said Chessie's knees are beyond luxating and have luxated to the point of being fused incorrectly outside of the joint. She has an appointment to go to MSU on Monday to see if what kind of surgery can be done on both her knees to help her. Shar Pei Savers has already spent over $600 on my care and will need lots more for my surgeries. Please, won't you become my Guardian Angel to help SPS pay for my surgeries? Even $5 or $10 would be a big help!

August 16 Update:
I went to visit Chessie and her foster mom, Judy Delusky, and Zeus, Hannah, and Roscoe, Chessie’s foster brothers and sister. You can't see how thin Chessie is from the pictures ... in person, you can see every bone in her body ... ribs, hip bone, back bone. It just broke my heart to see her like this. Judy said that Chessie has even put on weight in the past five days. I know firsthand that Judy will work her magic on Chessie … Zeus was in worse shape when he came into rescue and look at him now (below, right)! Chessie has decided that Zeus is her hero and she tries to follow him everywhere, but she just can’t keep up. We can't wait until Chessie is all better so she can chase Zeusey! Maybe she'll even be able to catch him someday. -Stephanie

August 14 Update:
Chessie had a very nice visit with the orthopedic vet last Thursday. Dr. Tim thinks she might have a hip problem along with the knee issues. This poor girl just can't seem to catch a break. Chessie won't be able to have x-rays for two weeks, since she was just spayed & had entropion surgery and the vet does not want her to have anesthesia again so soon. She is also too emaciated to even get her vaccinations done right now. Art & Judy are trying to put some weight on her for the next two weeks and will also try to cure the fungal ear infection that she's fighting ... hopefully then we'll know more about her surgeries. Dr. Tim says she is well socialized and has a beautiful temperament.

Meet Francesca, "Chessie" for short. After the hard life she's had, she certainly deserved to be saved from the high-kill shelter she ended up in. Her family, the ones who should have been protecting her, dumped her and she ended up as a stray down by the river in Portsmouth, OH with extensive injuries to her back legs. We don't know if her injuries occurred from being thrown out of a moving vehicle, if she has older injuries, or if she was injured after she was abandoned. Chessie will be getting x-rays as soon as she is heathly enough to go under anesthesia. Chessie deserves a second chance to live a happy and comfortable life, and we're hoping you can help.

Francesca was transported from Southern Ohio to Detroit to live with her new foster mom and dad, Art & Judy, who have experience with canine orthopedic rehabilitation. Judy said Chessie is painfully thin and is having a very hard time walking even a few steps. Judy suspects
something might be wrong with one of Chessie's front legs in addition to her dislocated knees, and that is why she suspects Chessie may have been tossed out of a moving car. The orthopedic vet also thinks she may have a hip injury. Dr. Tim will do whatever it takes to make her better. We desperately need donations to help pay for her care. We anticipate her vet costs will be in excess of $1500. If you could
spare a few extra dollars, please click HERE to help Chessie.

Even $5 or $10 would go a long way in helping Chessie. Shar Pei Savers (and Chessie, too) would be so grateful for your help!

Please pray hard for Chessie that she can be comfortable soon.