Twelve-year-old Almondine and her 6-year-old son Edgar lived in a backyard with an elderly couple who became unable to care for them. Almondine was a hunting dog when she was younger, but she was also used as a backyard breeder. Edgar never hunted, and both dogs spent the last 6 years with increasing time alone due to the failing health of their owner. Family intervened and their owner finally realized he was unable to care for them. When they were rescued in the spring of 2025, the date for their euthanasia had already been booked by the family. They were that close to death.
 
Almondine and Edgar spent their first several months of rescue at a reputable boarding facility, so they were safe and secure, but no dog learns how to be an indoor pet while being boarded. Edgar found a foster home first, which was initially difficult for him as he had looked to Almondine to guide him with all interactions. However, Edgar soon made friends with the resident English Setter and has become much more independent, eager to play in his foster’s secure back yard. After months in boarding a foster home was finally found and Almondine joined Edgar in the same foster home in October.
 
Although these two came in to rescue together, SWESR is looking for separate adoptive homes for each of them.
 
Almondine is a gentle, senior lady. She has some arthritis, which is managed with pain medications. All she wants out of her days are regular meals, some time outside in the sunshine, a comfortable place to sleep, and lots of love and attention from her person. She is very trustworthy in the house and has no destructive habits, so there is no need to crate her, which can cause her anxiety if she is left alone in one for too long. Almondine would be fine as an only dog, but if there are other dogs in the household, slow and controlled introductions would be best as she can be protective of her personal space. She is exceptionally gentle and has a low-prey drive. Given her age and achy joints, we are not recommending a home with children under 10, just to be sure that as a senior she is handled with care. Almondine has been fully vetted, and although she is 12, her only physical ailment is arthritis. English Setters can live well into their teens, so please don’t let Almondine’s age deter you from considering her as a family member. Humans and canines alike deserve and benefit from love and companionship as we age, and she would make a wonderful pet for someone wanting a loving, but low-energy, dog. Almondine would be a very easy first English Setter for someone as long as there are no current dogs in the home that wouldn’t do well with an old girl that can be growly and protective of her space.
 
Edgar is a big boy at 57-pounds, but he is smart and is learning how to be an indoor pet. He bonds hard with his person and will look to you for guidance on how to behave. Despite his size, Edgar is shy and timid. Over the last several months Edgar has received lots of patient, consistent training, reinforced with many Pup-eroni treats, and he is well on his way to becoming a fabulous family member. He can be unsure when meeting new dogs, but a slow introduction by his human with plenty of physical space is all he needs to become comfortable. Edgar has a lot of energy and would do well with a family with older children who would want to play with him, but who are also able to respect his reserved nature. He has a high prey drive, so a house without cats is a must for him. He also absolutely needs a secure yard where he can burn off some energy every day. Edgar benefits from having his person outside with him, where he can return to them for a comforting scratching on his rear end before he runs off again.
 
We are in a time of year when gifts are given and received. These two deserving dogs would love nothing more than the gift of a forever home with their forever people, and they promise unreservedly the gift of giving love back to you.
 
SWESR rescues dogs in the Southwestern U.S.. We adopt dogs to homes throughout the U.S.. We have volunteer transport along major driving routes in the Southwest. Outside of the Southwest, adopters usually fly or drive to the foster home and then drive home.
 
As always with FFtF posts, we thank you for sharing this post on your social media to cast as wide a net as possible for potential families for these two dogs.