Chester was our first. He was sort of an early wedding present from me to hubby. I picked him out from a group of beagles- it was love at first sight. He was the most playful and had the most personality of all the pups and he had the most expressive, "melt you like a marshmellow" eyes. It felt like he chose me as much as I chose him so I took him home. A few days later, during the Florida v. Tennessee game, I surprised hubby with our newest family member. It was love at first sight for the two of them too. Florida won that game (and we named our newest member after the defensive back who played like a maniac that day: Ed Chester), we had a new pup, we were getting married a couple months. Life was good. :-)
We learned quickly that he had energy and enthusiasm. He loved to run and when he saw an open door, he BOLTED. He was impossible to train (he failed puppy school) and caused so much damage to shoes, books, carpet, even furniture. Still, we couldn't have loved a dog more. And he won over so many hearts, even despite his crazy ways. He went on trips with us, he slept in bed with us. He was our first baby.
When we brought home our first human baby (LOL) Chester was so amazing. He would lay right next to my son, almost as if he were keeping watch over him as he slept. He'd follow me from room to room anytime I moved the baby. And as my son grew, Chester became the best toy he had. The two of them were like peas in a pod and Chester endured so much pulling and tugging and even a couple toddler bites! But never once did he get frustrated with the kids. He loved them dearly and always wanted to be around them. Chester was one of them. I don't think he knew the difference.
Shortly after Chester celebrated his 12th birthday this past June,we found out he had lymphomic cancer. We knew he wasn't feeling well, but we weren't prepared for the diagnosis. The vet gave us a couple options, but none of them saw him living for more than a few months. We chose to give him steroids in hopes of helping him feel better as he finished out his life. They did seem to work for a couple weeks, giving him a renewed appetite and a little more energy, but the cancer continued to overtake him and this weekend it was obvious the medicine couldn't work in his favor anymore. My son, who is an intensely sensitive soul, struggled with his grief. He kept repeating that he has known Chester all his life and that he was like a brother to him (sniff,sniff). It really was so difficult to see my son filled with such hurt and sadness. My daughter is not nearly as emotional, but I could tell she was struggling with her own grief and the flood of emotion in our house. Instead of crying, she sweetly reminded us all that Chester was going to be happier in dog heaven where she is certain there are pepperoni trees and a lot of open doors for him to run through. And adding her own Abby twist, she also reminded us that we "still have one good pup." :-) Tact has never been a gift of hers.
So that was our day. It was a difficult one to say the least. And the house still seems so strange. I think it will just take time for the feeling that something is missing to fade away. It feels like the end of an era in some ways. Chester has been a part of our journey as newlyweds to new parents to established family. So many people equate our family with having the crazy, yet extremely lovable Chester. And it warmed my heart as I sent out the news yesterday to get a response of how Chester touched so many hearts (and ate so many shoes) over the years. He really was a very special dog. He was Chester. And he will be greatly missed.
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