The Inseparable Pair

Droopy sent this lovely poem to me for my birthday in honor of the bond between me and my boy, Zach. Thank you so much Droopy, it is perfect


I miss you so much; my four-legged friend
I ask myself each day; if the pain will ever end
Your loss is so hard; for one person to bear
because we were a team; an inseparable pair

You were by my side; when I got up each day
waiting so patiently; to go out and play
You were there each night; when I got home
waiting to go to the park; where you could roam

You always knew; if I was having a bad day
so you'd snuggle up close; and try to get me to play
If that didn't work; you'd put your head in my lap
then make yourself comfortable; and take a nap

One way or another you; would brighten my day
like only you could; you had a special way
You gave me a lifetime; of memories to hold
through all the years ahead; till I'm gray and old

I promise I'll see you; again one day
when we'll be together again; to go run and play
Your loss is a cross; I will just have to bear
because you and I know; we're an inseparable pair

Happy Birthday Chester

Today is your first birthday away from us since we brought you home from the shelter in 2003. We didn't know when your real birthday was but this was the day we took you home and started our incredible journey together. Today we will try to celebrate the joy and love you spent with us instead of mourning the fact you are no longer here. Happy first Birthday in heaven. We love you Chester

Your family

One month

I can't believe it has been a month since you left us. There isn't a moment that goes by that we don't think about you and I know you can see how much we miss you. I have to believe that you are in a much better place, free from the pain of cancer and free of the anxieties that plagued you your whole life. On this Memorial Day, we don't just remember the brave men and women who served in the military but we also remember the dog who loved his family with every ounce of his heart and who was as faithful as any dog could be.

Missing you today and always. Love you Chessie

Back home

Chester's ashes are now back home. We picked them up earlier today and are very happy to have him back home with the family that loves him so much.

My mother and sisters sent Zach an engraved necklace. It can either hold a small amount of his ashes or fur. We will leave that decision up to him. We have a small clipping of Chester's tail fur so he can choose either.





The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak,

And pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then will you do what must be done,

For this, the last battle, can't be won.


You will be sad I understand,

But don't let grief then stay your hand,

For on this day, more than the rest,

Your love and friendship must stand the test.


We have had so many happy years,

You wouldn't want me to suffer so.

When the time comes, please, let me go.


Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,

Only, stay with me till the end


And hold me firm and speak to me,

Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree,

It is a kindness you do to me.


Although my tail its last has waved,

From pain and suffering I have been saved.


Don't grieve that it must be you,

Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close,we two, these years,

Don't let your heart hold any tears.



Author Unknown

Thank you

Thank you all for the kind words and gifts. I'm so sorry I haven't been on to thank you all personally. We're still hurting so bad, I just haven't had the heart to come back on here.

As a parent, I feel two very distinct pains, the loss of a beloved and treasured family member and the pain from a seeing a son who misses his best friend beyond what any word can sum up. Zach is devastated by Chester's loss. He came home from college to say goodbye and it was way harder for him to handle than I think he thought. We have experienced loss before but for Zach this one was the hardest. This was his dog, his best friend. Watching him suffer is a loss in itself.

The house is so quiet. Chester was like the class clown, always the life of the party. Sometimes it was frustrating but you had to laugh anyway.

I told him what a good boy he was. I think he was ready. I really pray we made the right decision.

We love you Chester. Fly free

Rest in Peace

Rest in peace sweet Chester

Journey is ending

Chester's cancer is spreading and he has become increasingly more uncomfortable. He is still eating but his pain is definitely showing. We had another snow storm last night so he got one more day to snow plow. We hate the snow but he loves it, so we are glad he got one more day of it. This has been a heartbreaking and painful decision but we have decided to set him free of his earthly journey this Saturday. We are expected to have a big warm up and we want to let him enjoy one more day in the sun with beautiful temps arriving on Friday. Please say a little prayer that his passing is peaceful and more importantly that we don't back down and allow him to continue suffering. He has been a treasured member of our family and he deserves to leave this world with dignity.

No change

We increased Chester's medication over the weekend to see if it would help to reduce the swelling in his lymph nodes but unfortunately there was no change. Monday we increased it again to 6 pills (3 in the morning and 3 in the evening) in hopes of keeping it under control. As of now there is still no change but that also means it hasn't increased in size so that is a bit of good news. His boy is coming home for Easter weekend and that will definitely brighten his day. Right now we are monitoring the size of the lymph nodes as well as monitoring his quality of life. One day at a time is his new motto, that and when is my next meal. At least his appetite is still great. :)

Thanks for the constant prayers for Chester, Yuki, and Mia. Yuki goes to the vet on Thursday for a wellness check. Due to his age, he is really having mobility issues but I am hoping that is all. I don't think I can handle any more majorly terrible news at this time. Mia is actually doing pretty good at the moment. She was even happy to spend 10 minutes outside today.

Vet appointment

While hoping for a better outcome, I guess the confirmation was what I had expected. Chester's epitheliotropic lymphoma has spread to the lymph nodes. The vet wants to further increase his prednisone dosage and we can hopefully slow down any further progression. While she wasn't optimistic, she did say you just never know.

She will call Monday to check and see if the extra medication is helping to reduce the swelling of the lymph nodes and if not she wants to increase it even more. She also says we need to keep an eye on his quality of life because it is possible the cancer has spread a lot further than what we can see. So we increase the meds and pray it helps for awhile longer.

BTW - He is still a happy dog and as of now has a great quality of life.

Cancer may be spreading

Having trouble sleeping since noticing the lymph nodes in Chester's neck are enlarged. We've been told to watch for it and they have now definitely shown signs of getting bigger. Will call the vet tomorrow and see if they can get him in to aspirate and find out if it has indeed spread. I'm really worried as I don't know what to expect and what the real consequences are now that it has possibly happened. He has been acting fairly normal just a little hungrier and thirstier than usual.

Praying it is an infection and not metastasizing.