From Foster to Forever

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.
 

Augie is going to evolve into a genuinely spectacular dog for the right adopter. His previous owner told a rescuer “come get this dog, or I’m going to shoot him.” Needless to say, SWESR stepped up for Augie quickly.
 
We estimate him to be 5-years-old, and Augie is a big boy at 70lbs. He was an outdoor dog and neglected, so it says a lot of good things about Augie that he is doing as well as he is, learning to live indoors with rules he has to follow. He is sweet, affectionate, and very eager to please.

Three-year-old Nelson had an unstable start in life. What is known of his history is that an owner of his moved away and, viewing Nelson as expendable, simply left him as a stray in the neighborhood. A Good Samaritan in the neighborhood took care of Nelson for several months, but was moving and was unable to take Nelson with him. ortunately, he contacted SWESR, who were able to place Nelson in a loving foster home, where he is now.

In late November 2023 Kris came into rescue as one of three English Setters owner surrendered to an Oklahoma municipal shelter. This particular shelter works with SWESR volunteers, and they called an experienced SWESR foster, Deb, to pick up the dogs.
 
All three dogs were in rough shape. They were underweight. Their skin was terrible, and Deb knew they would never be adopted looking as bad as they did. The plan was for the dogs to be boarded, as there were no available foster homes with immediate openings for three pups.