Remembering our Chester

[Carrie king]

So I have been putting off doing this a little.  Mostly because I felt like I might go to pieces as soon as I started it.  This is something I didnt expect to be doing so soon. Never has 2 years flown by so fast but been filled with so much.  This is the story of Chester, our mini goldendoodle, who suddenly passed away a couple of weeks ago now. 

We decided to go doodle probably around 3 years ago now when we realized we werent going to have children and we wanted to expand our dog family.  We have 2 toy poodles that we absolutely adore and wanted something a little different.  I remember finding a breeder in utah that had a gorgeous dark red mini poodle and an insanely cute mini goldendoodle.  Before I knew it I was on a list to shell out a ton for a puppy that hadnt been born and I would not meet until they shipped him.  SHIPPED?! this was a nutty new world.  Everyone thought we were crazy.  

When we picked him up he had been in his kennel for at least 12 hours.  I thought for sure we were going to have a pretty distressed puppy, but our Chester was not easily distressed.  He popped right out like the world was his oyster and that attitude never changed.  He took to his kennel at night right away. He didnt whine or cry.  He was really easy to potty train.  It was probably so easy because he LOVED going outside. On the outside he appeared to be the perfect puppy.  A model citizen.  But the truth about Chester is that he was the worlds most insane puppy.  He bit, he scratched, he chewed, he dug, he picked on our other dogs, he ATE WALLS.  We learned very quickly that he needed many more activities in his life and much, much more exercise than our poodles.  He was so curious, just wanted to figure everything out.  The challenges were plentiful and daily.  There were many times we questioned whether we had made the right choice. But we just listened to our doodlekisses brethren and hung in there. IMG_2092.JPG 

Chester had a habit of melting your heart with his huge brown eyes, super curly cue tail and muppet face!  I feel like as he was growing we were growing. In understanding and patience.  We really invested in him and built very strong bonds.  We gave him many nicknames.  I liked to call him "big baby" to remind me that even though he was bigger, he was still a little guy inside with so much to learn. IMG_2776.JPG

Some of the things Chester loved... He loved chewing on cows ears..even though they did give him the wicked farts! He was also just gassy by nature and would toot almost every time he jumped up on our bed. :)) Never got old. He loved chasing bunnies.  We have tons of them in and out of our yard all day and the moment he got it in his mind to chase them he was obsessed.  Every time we opened the door he would launch outside at full speed to chase them. He knew all of their hiding spots and rooted them out at all cost!  We have a sliding screen door, and in pursuit of one of these rabbits,  he burst through the bottom of the screen and from then on out it was like our own little poor mans doggy door :) He loved water and swimming.  He also loved to drink out of the toilet! (something we could never break him of fully).  When he layed in my office while I worked, he loved to lay against the wall and put his little feet up. Sometimes I still feel like I can hear his little nails scratch the walls.IMG_2604.JPG

He loved the car.  We would take him often and he wanted to hang his whole body out to feel the wind, so we installed a little harness to make sure he was safe.  He loved to fetch.  He would beg nightly for at least a 30 min fetch.  His leaps were legendary.  He did this little sideways flips...it was a sight to see.  image1-3.jpg All of these things became such a joy in our lives.  That crazy energy and wildness we didnt understand as a pup, turned into moments of pure joy and happiness.  Most of all he loved his people.  He never stopped showing that love.  He loved laying on my husbands chest and hugging our hands with his paws.  image1-4.jpg He would walk over to me many times a day and just rest his big face on my lap. IMG_4413.JPG  It was the best part of my day. I never knew we would have such little time together, but I am glad for every moment.

I was so happy and proud to have him.  People instantly fell in love with him because of his extreme handsomeness and just overall charm.  But noone could know how beautiful he was as a companion.  That what made him so special wasnt his soft red fur, but his warm, tender heart.  I felt like he was my baby, which I understand doesnt seem totally rational the typical person.  But I invested so much of myself in him, I spent almost every waking second with him.  My heart is utterly shattered without him.  Bye for now big baby, thank you for the best 2 years ever!

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[Carrie king]

I hope I did him some justice! He was seriously amazing. I know we will never stop missing him.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

What a lovely remembrance for Chester. I am so sorry for your loss.

[F, Calla & Luca]

So sad but a lovely tribute to Chester.

[Leslie and Halas]

You lost him way too soon.  I'm so sorry.

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Sad all over again, but such a lovely tribute to your baby. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

So sorry to read this--I love the way you described him and wish this blog had a happy ending--but I feel your pain--I love my little red mini-doodle, who will be 9 this winter and can't imagine how awful it must have been to lose yours so suddenly. I am so sad for you both.

[Julie, Eloise & Beasley]

What a lovely tribute to Chester, and I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine how hard this must be, he was too, too young...but he'll be with you in your heart forever. I love the pictures you shared throughout - his face just melts my heart.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so sorry for your loss. No amount of time is ever enough, but two years is simply not even close to what you expect when you get a puppy.  Chester sounds like a wonderful and beloved companion.  His looks remind me so much of my Ned (although he is apricot).  I just welcomed you to the DRC and wish you a wonderful new companion whether a rescue or a new pup.

[Kathy and Sam]

I am so sorry about your loss of your baby, Chester.  I want to be able to say something meaningful, but I can't.  All I know is that your tribute was beautiful and Chester sounds like he was special, for sure.  I am so sorry.

[Wendy and Myla]

Some dogs leave this earth way, way to early!  I also had a doodle, Zak, who died at the age of five and I was devastated, feeling so sorry for myself, until a very good friend of mine told me that Zak was soooo very lucky to have had me as her owner for the very short period of time she was here!  That made me feel so much better and I honestly believe that she is guiding my Myla and watching us both go through our time with such loving eyes!  Hugs, because I know this is devastating, but also know that a new puppy, when the time is right, will help to heal your heart, especially if you believe that Chester is guiding you!