The
call came into the GRRI-NJ emergency
line just two days after Christmas from
a concerned vet tech. A sweet, stray,
middle aged and medically challenged
Golden was due to be euthanized the very
next morning unless a home could be
found for him ... could we help?
Thanks
to our wonderful volunteers,
arrangements were made immediately for
an evaluation, transport, vet exam and
foster care.
Chester greeted our volunteers with a
vigorously wagging tail, but it was his
lopsided smile that caught their
attention most. It was caused by a
horrible tumor that had invaded most of
his upper jaw, most prominently on his
right side, so that it actually tilted
his snout.
This
red boy with a white mask and a
sprinkling of white throughout his coat
looked older than his estimated age of 6
to 8 years. He was severely matted; the
mats behind his ears were over 1" thick
... under his chin was matted... the
underside of his tail was so matted he
wouldn't let you touch his tail ... but
it never stopped him from wagging it.
He'd
been a stray for a while, but someone
must have loved him and taught him well,
because Chester was a happy Golden
who took treats gently, walked well on a
leash, loved tennis balls, and knew
"sit" "come" and "paw" -- especially
when treats were involved!
Unfortunately, his jaw tumor was as
serious and invasive as as it looked.
Visits with general and specialized vets
concluded that even surgery
wasn't a viable option.
Chester had
fibrosarcoma and his
prognosis was only 6 months ...
Luckily for Chester, he was living in a
loving GRRI-NJ foster home, snoozing on
a comfy LL Bean dog bed, and sharing his
life with two resident Goldens, Brigid
and Dylan, all of whom adjusted well.
Chester also got groomed and pampered
so the yucky mats were gone; he ate well
and easily, and by all accounts,
he appeared to be completely pain free.
GRRI-NJ's plan for Chester was to
provide him with all the love and
supportive care he needed to remain
happy and pain free, and then, of
course, to let him go with dignity when
the time comes.
Chet's
zest for life and happy spirit captured
many hearts, both within and outside of
the GRRI-NJ family. He was
quite simply a delightful dog.
We
decided Chet deserved a birthday, and of
course a birthday party ... and that
there was no better time than Valentines
Day. So a few 2-legged and
4-legged friends stopped by his foster
home to help him celebrate!
As the
months passed, we continued to provide
Chester with regular vet visits, and
lots of love, and we reported on him
weekly in our website.
But by
April, his tumor had begun to interfere
with his comfort. We took him to
yet another specialist when his
breathing became difficult. We
wanted to see if there was anything we
could do to buy him more comfort and
more time. Sadly, there was not. The
following photos were taken that
afternoon, a beautiful, sunny, spring
day.
The
next day, the pressure from the tumor
brought more discomfort ... he began to
bleed profusely, and it couldn't be
stopped. Though none of us wanted to
face the inevitable, there it was.
Chet's time had come.
We
said goodbye to Chester on 4/22/04.
Our
heartfelt thanks to the many supporters
who followed Chet's story from the
beginning, who wrote to us seeking
updates, and who donated to the Joann
Smith Memorial Fund in his honor.
Carol Stoopack
The Bossart Family
Michael Rivera, in the name of Colleen Rivera
Erin & Matt Beam, in memory of Katie
Cindy Montroy
Alyssa Tierney, in memory of Shannen
Lorraine Meaney
Roger Braunstein
Lisa & Gary Bulger
Mary Crutchley, in memory of Ashley
Denise Sweeney-Shaw
Cheryl Finan
Merril Weiss
The Tail Waggins Bakery
Naomi Sternberg
Pam Strickland, in
loving memory of Chipper
Accursio Marciante
Matt Olson and "the boys"
Mary Anne Scheffold in memory of Kelly
Kathleen DiTolla
Cami LaBarbara
Olivia & Bill Bergner
Joyce Schurzky
Christine A DaSilva
Katja Felber
Sarah Carter & her Lab, Dublin James
Priscilla Lynch & her Golden, Benjamin
Mike & Colleen Rivera & their Golden Retriever Clan (Rosie,
Bradley & Logan)
Scott Steckler
Liza Strub & Chuck Coxe, in memory of Molson,
owned by Josh, Melanie & Peter Strub
Melissa Massaro
Linda & Rich Walter
Eileen McFadden
In honor of Chester's foster family. Thanks for taking great
care of him. Anonymous
The Price Family: Matt, Ann, Danny, Rambo, Scooby, BooBoo,
Cocoa, & Daphne
Thanks
also to GRRI-NJ volunteers Shayne Murray
and Ruth Osman, who coordinated
Chester's rescue; Linda and Rich Walter,
who evaluated, vetted and transported
him; and to the vet tech who
thought to call us, and helped us spare
Chester's life.
And
most of all, thanks to his GRRI-NJ
foster family, who loved him so well.
Mary Jane and Sig Roethlin, it takes
very special people to do what you did
for Chet.
Chet
was a dog of indelible spirit. He will
always remind us that life is a glorious
thing, and that what matters is stopping
to smell the flowers.
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