Happy Tails: Chester Goes Home!

When I took in our latest rescue Chester, some of you told me he would never find a home due to his advanced age. I am proud to say that today’s “Happy Tails” post is Chester’s story. Chester will be going HOME on Sunday!

Chester found himself ousted from his home at the age of 13.

Cold and alone, the little dog huddled in the bottom of the box. He was too old and weak to claw his way out. He laid down and waited to die. But God did not want Chester that day. So He sent an angel in the form of a close friend of mine, who in the nick of time found the box containing the little freezing senior dog and discovered what it held. After taking the little dog to the vet to make sure his ordeal had left no lasting effects, my good friend called me.

“I don’t know where he came from, but the vet says he is between 11 and 13 years old!” my good friend exclaimed so loudly I had to hold the phone away from my ear. “What are we going to do? I can not take him, and he will never survive the shelter! No one is going to want to adopt such an old dog.”

“Calm down,” I told her. “We will take him, don’t worry!” Still my friend worried that no one would want the little dog because of his age. I had been through this before, and had my own misgivings, but the little dog needed my help, and I was not going to turn my back on him. I took him in, knowing full well that he might be with me for the remainder of his years, and fully prepared to take that responsibility.

Chester lounges on the bed with a few other pack members.

Chester was in bad shape. It was clear he had not been properly groomed in quite some time. His nails had grown so long they were curling and walking was painful. The fur on his legs was matted and pulled painfully at his skin. A bath, a nail clipping, and a good grooming fixed all that. The grateful look in the little dog’s eyes brought a tear to my own. Chester was starting to learn that humans could be loving towards him.

About a week after Chester came to us, our college age daughter came home for a visit.  Chester and she were destined to become a pair. You could see the connection the second they met! Chester’s ears perked up, his head tilted and he looked at the new visitor with obvious interest. “Hmmmm, who’s this?” said the little dog’s sparkling eyes. “I quite like you!” Chester followed her everywhere she went for the remainder of her visit, curling up in her lap or right beside her wherever she sat.

Before leaving my daughter came to me, “Mom tell me his story?” she asked. I sat and told her of the phone call about the little dog in the box, and how someone had left him to die. Through her tears she said “Mom, if my room mate agrees, I would like to adopt him.” She had fallen in love with the little dog who had been left for dead, and even though she knew he might not have many years left, she wanted to love him for the time he had.

This week she called me. “Mom,” she said “the next time you come down to Toronto can you bring my dog with you?” She had spoken to her room mate and he had agreed, Chester had a new home! (N.B. I never had any doubt, I knew that my daughter’s room mate had adopted a senior cat the previous summer. He is an animal lover who knows the value of a senior pet, and understands a displaced animal needs a home with a loving, caring owner. He’s a real man!)

So as you all know I was already headed to Toronto this weekend for the Million Mutt March. Chester will travel with us attend the march to show his support for his pit bull buddies, and then he will go HOME!

We raise our kids thinking they never listen to us, that nothing we say to them or try to teach them gets through. I learned this week, that if you teach them the right way they will follow. I am proud of my daughter. Her decision to adopt this senior dog tells me she has grown to be a compassionate and caring person. I had one job given to me the day she was born, and that was to raise a socially conscious, morally responsible person. I think I have managed to do my job!

What’s more? This one simple act of kindness by a nineteen year old girl, has given me hope for the future! You see, my daughter was offered a puppy the same week she met Chester. She chose the senior dog who needed her, and for that Chester and I are grateful!

If you would like to see your rescued pet’s story here in our weekly “Happy Tails” blog, write it in 800 words or less and send it with pictures, to:

jhamilton_LA_Canada@bell.net

Don’t forget to hug your pet!

Janette