July 30/01  This is little 'Chester'.  He is a 10-12 yro neutered male Pom/Chi mix.  I received a phone call from a friend asking if I could help - she had been at the HS when Chester was brought in semi-comatose and severely dehydrated - he would probably be euthanized because of his age.

I took him to the vets where he was diagnosed as having congestive heart failure and kidney failure - their prognosis was from 2 days to 2 months.  We put Chester on lasix to help with the fluid build up and a drug to help his heart beat.  What a little character he is!!!  He looks at me and barks then furiously wags his little tail.  The medication appears to be working and he eats like a little piggy and loves to play with the other dogs.

August 25/01  Over the past week, little Chester has been having some difficulty breathing so his medication has been adjusted - we thought it might be because of the high heat and humidity so I have been keeping him in the air condition house.  Last night he refused to eat and again this morning - so I came home early today from a demo I was doing for rescue.  Chester is having a great deal of difficulty breathing, he can't seem to get his balance - appears that he might have suffered a stroke.  He is vomiting water and is very bloated.  I called my friend (and vet) Donna who came right over.  After examining him, Donna says that Chester is dying - his kidneys have completely shutdown (which is causing the bloating) and his heartbeat is very weak.  He has definitely suffered a stroke.  Donna, myself and my friend Diane sit with him and comfort him but it becomes clear that he is in great distress.  Donna advises that we should help him across the bridge as he is now stressed and suffering.  As we all hold him and love him he quietly leaves this world.  We take him and bury him up in the glade with Smiley, Artie and Bailey to watch over him.  What a wonderful little dog he was!!

To his previous owners, I hope that you read this and hang your heads in shame. You dumped him at the HS, sick and alone amongst strangers - Chester was a funny, loving little guy that deserved much better than he got from you.  Know that he was loved and treasured for his last few weeks of life by me - it should have been you!