We wrote about Chester last week — he was the little dog Nicole Elliott adopted after seeing a “hospice needed” post on Facebook. Chester had cancer, and he just needed a confortable home to die in. Elliot offered that and more — she made a bucket list for Chester, to “take the time he has left (which is undetermined, but not guessed to be very long) and make it as happy as I can,” she wrote on Facebook.
And now, Chester has died.
On Friday, Elliot posted this photo and message on Instagram:
Her post has been filling up with comments — more than 1,000 on Instagram, and more than 8,000 on Facebook, according to CNN.
When she started her bucket list, she just wanted to give Chester some love for his remaining days. “I never compiled a list. I’ve just gotten some ideas of things I can take him to do,” Elliot told ABC News last week.
“We bought new toys, a bed, bandanas, and treats. I also want to take him on a boat ride, to the beach, and to have professional photographer take pictures of him. I want to have them [the photos] after he’s gone.”
But as her story swept across social media, she realzied she had a larger purpose as well.
“I was so nervous, but happy to help spread awareness about dogs like Chester,” she told BuzzFeed News. “I hope through all of this attention that it shines a positive light on shelter animals with terminal illnesses or [who are] up in age.”
Here’s another picture she posted after losing Chester:
Remember Chester with some classic photos from his final happy days:
Trip to Flatrock park! Triple selfie, with silly Paisley blowing giant kisses ?#awareness #shelteranimals #chestersfinaljourney #bucketlist #rescuepup #animallovers #finalride #cancersucks #love #olddogs #sickbaby #welovehim #hospicefoster #newfamily #adopt A photo posted by Nicole Elliott (@chestersfinaljourney) on
A photo posted by Nicole Elliott (@chestersfinaljourney) on
Nathan’s hot dog ?#checkoffofbucketlist #chestersfinaljourney #bucketlist #rescuepup #animallovers #finalride #cancersucks #love #olddogs #sickbaby #welovehim #hospicefoster #newfamily #adopt A photo posted by Nicole Elliott (@chestersfinaljourney) on
A photo posted by Nicole Elliott (@chestersfinaljourney) on
Chester’s shopping spree! #chestersfinaljourney A photo posted by Nicole Elliott (@chestersfinaljourney) on
A photo posted by Nicole Elliott (@chestersfinaljourney) on
Visit Chester’s Facebook and Instagram page for more on Chester.
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