Nicole Elliot did what many people wouldn’t. In late June, after falling in love with his photo on the Animal Ark Rescue website, she adopted Chester, a scruffy, 14-year-old Miniature Schnauzer mix who was dying of a rapidly spreading cancer.
And that’s not all Elliot did. To make Chester’s last days on Earth as pleasant as possible, Elliot created a bucket list for him. She shared their adventures on social media, quickly gaining more than 80,000 fans.
Chester was treated to oatmeal milk baths, trips to a dog park and extra treats.
“I only hope someone would do the same for me if I was terminally ill,” Elliot, of Columbia, Ga., told CNN Tuesday. “I think he deserves it. He seems to have been neglected in his past life. He is such a sweet boy.”
Chester was only able to enjoy about 11 days of being spoiled by Elliot. He crossed the Rainbow Bridge yesterday.
“I held him until his last breath and then some,” Elliott wrote on the Chester’s final journey Facebook page. “I told him it was okay to let go, and how loved he was. I know without a doubt Chester died knowing that he mattered.”
As of Saturday morning, more than 11,000 Facebook fans have left their condolences.
“He is now pain free and running around with all of your babies that have gone before him,” Elliot wrote. “Chester’s journey with us was too short lived, but his presence with us will never be forgotten.”
Photos via Facebook