Woman answers “HOSPICE NEEDED” ad for senior dog and helps him fulfill bucket list

When Animal Ark Rescue in Columbus, Georgia shaved away the long, matted hair from a little stray that they’d named Chester, they found a large tumor on his side.

When the tumors quickly grew and spread, they began searching for a final home to help him live out his last days peacefully.

That’s when Nicole Elliot saw their Facebook post and stepped in.

“I slept on it, and woke up knowing it was the right thing to do. I knew that it would be my responsibility to make his final days the best I could, to mine and his ability. I arrived before the shelter opened, and they let me in to get him. I fell in love the moment I saw him,” she said.

Elliott decided that, to make sure Chester’s last days were as good as they could be, she would make a bucket list for him. “I am taking it a day at a time and trying to give him normal doggy experiences that he may have never had the chance to do before, and a ton of spoiling,” Elliott said.

So far, Chester has gotten a brand new, cozy bed, eaten a Nathan’s hot dog, had a doggy spa day and taken plenty of rides in the car with his head out of the window. Elliott still plans on taking him to the beach to see if he likes swimming, and throwing him a birthday party at the shelter so he can play with all of his friends.

 

Thanks to The Dodo for putting together this heart-rending compendium of photos. You can read their full story here.  Like Chester’s Facebook page (but be ready to shed a tear!).