Seven-month-old Matty was surrendered to SWESR in October 2022 by an older couple who could no longer provide Matty the home she needed due to their developing health difficulties. Bob and Lona had lost one of their English Setters just four weeks earlier. Lona was looking at SWESR’s Facebook page when she saw Matty’s picture and she was immediately hit with the gut feeling of “that’s my dog”. This awareness was difficult, as Bob and Lona had agreed that after 30 years of marriage and a total of 6 English Setters, they would now become a one dog family. But still, the feeling, the knowledge: “that’s my dog.”
Lona was so in love with Matty’s face she went straight to the SWESR website from her phone to complete the adoption application. This was their first experience with breed rescue. Lona felt the pressure. Matty was so special “It was like winning the HGTV Dream Home. Everyone was going to want her.” Lona completed the application so quickly (and on such a small screen) that on one page she put an incorrect phone number. SWESR was able to contact Lona, though, and she was nicely but thoroughly grilled with questions all SWESR adopters are familiar with. Lona appreciated the rigorousness of the questioning, and she wants anyone reading this who may need to surrender their dog to know SWESR is vigilant about ensuring dogs go to a home that is right for both humans and canine.
A home visit was arranged. Lona kept expecting her husband to say “let’s pump the brakes a bit” as they had agreed not to get a second dog, but he never said a word. A young man who’s parents lived just around the corner from Lona and Bob arrived with his English Setter to complete the home visit. His dog was energetic, to say the least, and Pepper, the remaining ES in the household, found this high level of energy difficult. Lona was concerned the home visit didn’t go well because of that, but they were approved and within a week Bob and Lona were driving from Phoenix to the San Francisco Bay Area to pick up Matty.
It was clear Matty had been well loved and well trained. Lona recognized the loving and caring home Matty had left, and she wants Matty’s original owners to know she understands how difficult it must have been for them to give up a healthy, vibrant puppy. She has tremendous respect for the difficult decision they had to make for Matty’s benefit.
Bob and Lona kept her name. All their ES have been named after peppers, and Bob’s research showed there is a Matadora pepper in South America, further proof for Lona that this particular dog was meant for their family. Plus, Matty’s ears look like a matador’s hat, so her name is apt in many ways.
Three and a half years later, Matty is now 4, and she and Pepper play together, although rough housing is done outside to give Pepper the space she may need for a quick getaway. Matty is a vocal dog! She barks, and she barks a lot: at those terrible big birds like ravens, owls, and road runners. She barks at the UPS delivery person. A neighbor called the fire department one day, and Matty barked at them. She barks at cows and deer. And she roo’s, most particularly when waiting for a treat. Matty also loves her toys and she will always welcome her parents home at the door with a toy in her mouth.
Matty is smart and she is funny. When Lona is sitting at her desk Matty has been known to stand on the bed and put her head on Lona’s shoulder, which makes for a great visual on a Zoom call! She is welcome on the bed at night, but she will often chose to sleep on a rug in the bathroom, hopping onto the bed only in the early morning.
In February 2026, Lona was having brunch with friends after a pickleball game when she received a call from Bob. Matty had had a seizure and as Bob went to comfort her during this medical emergency, she unknowingly bit Bob. Lona and all her friends rushed to their house. One, a nurse, took care of Bob, and another helped Lona get Matty to the emergency vet. The concern was for Valley Fever, but she tested negative for that disease. Matty had a second seizure two weeks later, and she is now on anti-epilepsy medications.
Bob and Lona fully trust their vet, but their daughter is a PhD research scientist, and she has organized a group of her neonatologist colleagues who also collectively review Matty’s medications and dosages. Matty literally has PhDs across America looking out for her welfare.
Matty has responded well to these medications and hasn’t had a seizure again. The medication is time-released, and she needs to receive them consistently, at 10am and 10pm, every day for the rest of her life. Lona and Bob made a commitment to SWESR and to Matty upon her adoption to care for her for life. They are living this promise and now plan their lives around her medications. Someone is always home at 10am to give her a pill. Friends have keys to their house in case Bob and Lona can’t be there. This dedication and planning is not a hardship.
Bob and Lona love Matty completely. Whatever Matty will need over the coming years, she will get. The feeling Lona had upon first seeing Matty’s face has long since been confirmed. “This is my dog. I am so lucky to have her.”