About Chester

Chester is a wonderfully calm, gentle, and people loving beagle mix. He is lovingly referred to as 'the street's dog' in our community and has been the companion and friend to not only our own children but several families in our community. He is older (13; we've had him for nine of those) but in great physical health, and enjoys long walks when the weather is nice. He doesn't play much any more but will enjoy laying with you on a couch or blanket and accepting pets. Unfortunately, he also has crippling separation anxiety. We've tried everything--behavioral therapy, conditioning, medication, more frequent midday walks, you name it--when left alone, he will not only eliminate in the house (which is what pee pads are for, so we can live with that) but also chew door frames to a point where he hurts his own mouth. Despite lots of work with our vet to find a combination therapy, we just can't find a way to help him be calm without drugging him to a point that seems inhumane. BUT - when he has a companion, he is WONDERFUL. He is amazing with kids of all ages, energetic enough to go on long hikes/walks, and gentle enough he's been allowed into hospitals as a therapy visitor. We've been able to cobble together some solutions with neighbors taking him for parts of days, taking him with us in the car whenever we can, etc. But we're at the point where we are out of options and looking for a hail mary. We realize we are trying to thread the needle here--finding a home where he could have a constant companion (maybe someone who can bring their dog to work? or is consistently home or has a yard in which he could stay when they are not?). But he has been a good family dog for years, and we want to try to find one last way we can help him (and--being the sweet companion he is--he can help someone as well.)

Alexandria (City)
Alexandria, Virginia 22305