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.
Given the approaching holiday season, the male was named Kris, the adult female was named Noel, and their daughter was called Merry.
Unfortunately, when Deb arrived to get the dogs, she realized they were all sneezing and coughing, ill with respiratory infections. Boarding facilities won’t take sick dogs, for obvious reasons. Deb called the boarder and explained the situation. A seasonal miracle occurred, and the boarder said she had no other dogs in her home at that time and could accept all three, even though they were sick.
Deb’s next call was to a veterinarian, and another miracle occurred. The vet office agreed to a “sidewalk clinic”, and with the help of three vet techs and the veterinarian, all three dogs were vaccinated and received blood work and full examinations outside, where they wouldn’t be able to infect any other animals.
This is the reality of the first hours after rescue. Those of us who adopt healthy and well-adjusted English Setters would do well to remember the debt of gratitude we owe people who initially make sometimes frantic and heroic efforts to get our dogs to that state of being.
Deb was able to take Kris, who was estimated to be six years old, to her house for fostering, while Noel and Merry were boarded and began their separate journey to adoption. (Both girls have since been adopted). Kris’ bloodwork came back positive for Chagas disease. The only bit of good news was that he was not heartworm positive. Kris tolerated the strong medications to cure him of his Chagas and he is now a healthy boy.
Here is where Kris’ story will differ from others SWESR has shared with you. Kris’ story began in November 2023. As of June 2025, he is now 8, and he is still in his foster home with Deb, waiting like a good boy to be adopted.
Kris needs a third miracle: he needs to find his forever home.
He gets along well with other dogs. He would appreciate furniture privileges, as he has gotten used to snuggling next to Deb in the early evening hours. He’d much rather be next to you than on a dog bed.
Kris once cleared a 6-foot fence, fortunately landing in the next-door neighbor’s yard. But this athleticism means Kris cannot be left alone outside until he is proven trustworthy. He is also not a candidate for an electric fence. He did go to an adoptive home once with an e-fence and was under observation while learning about the fence. Kris saw cows in a nearby field, ran right through the e-fence system, and 40,000 Fi collar steps later (that’s 20 miles to us humans) was finally caught, without any harm to the cows, and fortunately none to him (as the farmer would have had the right to shoot him).
He would not be a good hunting dog, as he’s a bit anxious with storms, and so is most likely gun shy. But if he can lay next to you on the sofa as thunder is rumbling through, he’ll be calm.
For an 8-year-old, he has more energy than you might expect. He’s very good in the house and is fully house trained. Kris is used to a crate, and he’d accept being crated for a few hours if his new parents were unable to watch him. He lies in his crate, with his paws tucked underneath him, like a cat. And like a cat, he is a good mouser, and he is terribly proud of himself when he catches one.
We could go on for a while longer listing Kris’ good qualities, of which there are many, but we’d prefer to hear from you. Could you be Kris’ much needed third and final miracle and provide the home he needs? Do you know anyone with whom you could share his story to see if they know anyone who would be interested in adopting this handsome boy?
Because here is another harsh truth of rescue: until Kris is adopted, Deb does not have room in her home to foster another dog. And SWESR has dogs, right now, in boarding, who are waiting for fosters so they can learn to be house trained, learn not to be afraid of humans, and learn to be a pet, so that they, too, can be adopted.
We all need miracles in our lives. Could you be one for Kris?
