Chester has been with us 3 days and has settled into indoor life as if it's all he's ever known. Ches went to the vet and got some good news-bad news. The good news is that he's in awesome shape for a 10 year old! His teeth are pearly white, he's a perfect weight and his ears are clean! The vet was amazed that he was 10! The bad news is that he has active Lyme's disease and some belly worms. The worms went buh-bye with a dose of Heartguard and the Lyme's is going to be taken care of with a heavy round of antibiotics. He's a little stiff legged, and it is likely due to the Lyme's disease.

Chester is an absolute doll. He's loving, friendly, outgoing, gentle and very mellow. He went to a RAGOM fundraising event at Petco in Rochester yesterday and was a hit with everyone who met him. He walks very sweetly on leash and meets other dogs with a sniff and a wag. He sat nicely for treats and knows to lay down when he's not the center of attention.

Ches gives "the paw" and likes to nudge you under the elbow for a pet. He loves to be hugged and groomed. He's definitely a people-dog.

Ches acted like he'd never seen stairs before and really needed to be coaxed to go down in order to go OUT. On his second day, he made it....and was jumping up and down and wagging his tail furiously as we made a big fuss over him. Now he thinks he gets a party every time he goes down stairs!

Ches is quiet. In three days we've not heard a peep out of him. Even the vet, who trimmed his nails, drew blood, poked, prodded and did other things to wound his dignity never got a whimper out of him!

Chester is cool with cats. He lets the kitten climb on him and never bats an eyelash.

This sweet boy would work in any household. He's great with kids, dogs, cats, dust bunnies, men, women, you name it. He doesn't look or act his age and given his size, could live many, many more years.

How would you like to have Chester with you Christmas morning so he can have a stocking for his very own under your tree?

Chester has had a fun week at our house. He continues to blossom into a nice housedog. He now doesn't like to go outside and needs a gentle "oomph" in the fanny to go out into the cold night to do his business! He looks back with the most pathetic expression and hurries up and does his thing and is the first one back to the door! He has discovered the joys of getting puppy love on the couch and has invited himself up onto our bed for snuggle time. He is learning "go lay down" and "off" as it's also nice to have him know when enough is enough.

Ches is a sweetheart. He still has yet to bark, but we have heard him cry. He has glommed onto my husband as his new pocket pal, as in, his nose is always glued to my husband's back pocket! When Scott leaves, Chester pouts. He settles just fine, he's not anxious, but he doesn't like to be alone. He wants to sit and look at you as if you are a movie star. Ches really likes to sleep on my clothes. (Tells you I should maybe pick up and put away my clothes!) He makes a nice nest out of my jeans, socks and slippers and he's a happy boy.

Chester does like to poke his nose in our trash, but it's covered so I think he's easily redirected. He also prefers table scraps to dog food, so we are working with him to like his dog food over people food. (A little ketchup does wonders on dog food!)

Chester needed a different medication for worms. He ended up with tapeworms and we think we finally have those under control. He is a champ about taking pills, one of the benefits of a dog that likes table scraps!

Chester's intake paperwork did say that he is afraid of thunderstorms and loud noises. He's not fond of the vacuum (neither am I, but that's a different story!) but doesn't get anxious. He just moves to another room. His adoptive family will have to be aware and watch for any storm anxiety he may have. He doesn't seem too concerned about snowflakes.

Chester does like to dig. He got a little encouragement from our dog Rosie, who's been known to head to China at least once every summer. Ches was working on a deep tunnel project along our fence, but was easily distracted. His adoptive family will have to monitor this, or plan on planting lots of trees in the holes he excavates.

Chester is a doll. I really like him and our dogs have had no issue with him. Rosie even engaged him in a little wrestling this morning. He would get along with anyone and likes animal companions. Chester is sitting under our Christmas tree hoping to be with his new family by Christmas day! Will you be the lucky family?

Has he made himself at home, or what? Can you say RELAXED??

Chester from Rochester here! My foster mom is busy working on Christmas cards and baking and wrapping and shoo-ing the kitten out of the Christmas tree! So, I figured I'd do my part and type up my update this weekend!

Life here is pretty good. My foster brother Shane decided to show me he was the boss this week. Boy, he sure scared me! He nipped my ear and made me very nervous. But, just between us, I got my licks in! I nipped his lip and let him I was no pushover! Now he's my new best friend! Go figure. Rosie, my foster sister just stood there and barked. I'm not sure who she was rooting on, but she likes me so I'm hoping she was on my side!

My foster Mom was home sick the other day, so I stayed right by her side to make sure she was feeling better. I was a good dog all day! Kept her feet warm on the couch and tried to help her make some toast. She said I was really good company.

I get the last of my tummy worm medications today. Then I only have 7 days of my Lyme's medication to go! I hope they still put cheese on my food, cuz I really like cheese! I think I'm feeling pretty good, I love to jump up and down, and put my paws on my foster Mom and Dad and give them big hugs. They use this word called "down" and I think I understand that means the hug's over. That's cool. There's always more hugs to come!

Keep your paws crossed for me! There is a family that is interested in me and I hope Santa grants my Christmas wish for a new forever family! Oh that would really make my tail wag!!! Thump Thump Thump...can you hear it?

Well, my foster Mom is ready for me to lick her envelopes. Have to go work up a good tongue full of spit. Don't want those envelopes to thtick to my tongue! She even promised to let me taste Christmas cookies! Thump! Thump! Thump! (There goes that tail again!)

Have fun everyone!

Our Mr. Chester (from Rochester) got his Christmas Wish! He was adopted today by the M/J family in Rochester. He joins 3 other doggie sisters, 7 kitty cat siblings, a chinchilla, rabbits and probably a dust bunny or two. Chester's new family also has three kids, including an 8 year old boy who has found his new best friend. He also gets several acres of pretty gardens to play in!

Chessie's new mom promised to let Ches visit the retirement home where I work because he would make an awesome pet visit dog...which is great! Mostly because this sentimental foster mom totally fell in love with this guy and I will still get to see him!!) Good for Chester!!! Good boy!

Have a wonderful life!!

From his adoptive family....

We had a completely glazed driveway yesterday!!! It has been a challenge! Despite that, Chester and I continued our routine of running up and down the street in the morning, and then going and walking the property! He has been doing fantastically, a real "velcro" guy...he hangs out with us and we have let him be off-leash in the yard (yesterday, when we were chipping away, or trying to chip away!, the ice)...he got distracted by a squirrel, but comes bounding happily when called! He is such a wonderful pal...James and the girls have all been lavishing attention on him. Maggie and Mia are buddies, and Mollie (the Eskimo) has settled down...she naps beside Chester during the day, to keep an eye on him, I think!

I am going to go home soon to see how he has done in our absence...I put up a gate to separate off the family room, and have left him the run of that area, with a blanket and toys/treats, and radio on, so hope he won't be too lonely. The other guys are all in their kennels.

He has been on a rotating schedule for his sleep spots...the kids each want him in their rooms/beds at night, so we have worked out an equitable arrangement. He seems to like it!

He truly is a wonderful friend. I get the feeling he can teach me some things about patience, acceptance, etc. He has a very wise demeanor, and has been a wonderful addition to our menagerie!!!

Hi Kathy:

I was out of town for the Petco event, but Julie made outfits (the Magicial Mystical Mutts) for the Fish n Pets Doggie Fashion Show 2 weekends ago...we won 2nd prize and made it into the P-B, and Chester is there, strutting his stuff! Hope you have a great holiday season. It's hard to believe that almost a year has passed so quickly. Chester continues to be a wonderful, faithful delightful friend!

All the best,

Sharon