went to Rainbow Bridge yesterday. Chester was my special cat.

About a month ago he appeared to be losing weight. I brought him to the Vet and the blood work they did showed he was anemic. At first they thought he had feline leukemia but that was ruled out. I've had all my cats tested for FeLV and FIV and all a negative. Both of those diseases are very contagious. The Vet told me it is possible for cats to get leukemia that is of the non-contagious type and that's what she felt Chester had.

I guess in my head I knew it was time to let him go on Monday but my heart wasn't getting the message. Yesterday though he was having trouble walking and I had to accept that nothing I could do was going to make him better.

I found Chester in 1998. He was a full grown male cat at the MSPCA in Brockton, MA. He had been a stray living at an apartment complex. Apparently he loved to head butt his way into people's units. Most there thought it was cute but finally one resident had enough and the shelter picked him up.

I found him when I went there looking for an orange tiger. We did get an orange kitty but Chester wanted me to notice him. As I was walking by the cages, a paw shot out and snagged my coat pulling me over to the bars. It was Chester and he looked at me like he was thinking, OK, here I am. Let's go home now.

I started volunteering after that and every week I'd go back, Chester would still be there. I had been taking photos for the shelter and putting up pictures in stores. Chester was the cat of the week twice.

On the 5th week of his stay at the MSPCA, I got some bad news. Chester had scratched one of the visitors and the shelter was going to put him down. I adopted him on the spot! Not a day has gone by that I wasn't glad that no one else wanted him. Oh, what they missed!!

He was the dominent male cat in the house and no one crossed Chester. He wasn't aggressive with the other cats, just the boss and they knew it. But, moreover, he was my cat. We shared a special bond which was quite extraordinary. I've had many cats in my life and this type of friendship from cats is really unusual.

My Vet is a fantastic, very caring lady. She and her assistant were so loving with Chester. They gave him a shot to relax him first and when the medication was put in there was no struggle... just a sweet release. Chester passed on at 5:20 yesterday. He was around 14 years of age.

I will miss him so.

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I am so very sorry for your loss. What an amazing story of love you have with him. It sounds as if you were both blessed to have each other. It just always seems to go by too quickly, doesn't it? He is a beautiful cat and reminds me of one of my favorite boys. Thank you for sharing that heart touching story. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

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So Sorry!!

He was a beautiful cat

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I'm so very sorry. You did the right thing, kept him from suffering. He was a beautiful boy.

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Mary

Hugs to you. What a very lucky cat Chester was to find you!

He was so pretty...I'm very sorry for your loss. Hugs... ~Lisa

Chester was a beautiful cat, and he had a wonderful life with you. You were both lucky to find each other.

omg sweetie sooooo many hugs to you and your family. You did the right thing for your beautiful beautiful baby boy Chester. Trust me he will always be with you in spirit and will remain inside your mind and soul and heart forever. And one day we all will be reunited with our beloved pets.. Blessings and peace. Catherine

I'm so sorry. I lost my kitty in July. I still miss him every day. He was my special boy. (He was an adult from a shelter in Massachusetts too!)

Shelter cats are the best - they seem to know you've given them a second chance. You were wonderful to give Chester a loving home. He was a very handsome cat.

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If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.

Oh, I'm SO sorry for your loss. I loved the way he got your attention at the shelter by reaching out and grabbing you!!! That's so sweet.

As you know, we lost our little "Mo" the end of February. I do know what you are going thru.

I bet my little Mo met Chester at Rainbow Bridge. He never met a stranger and even loved cats! (actually was a little scared of them). Maybe he's showing Chester around right now......

(((HUGS)))

I'm SOOO sorry about Chester. I fell in love with him when you posted his picture earlier when he was losing weight. He was a beautiful cat and he was very lucky to have you as his owner. I know how hard it is to lose a pet, and it does take time, but eventually the pain will lessen.

Thank you for giving him a happy and loving home for the past 11 years.

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Linda

Chester was so lucky to have such a nice family adopt him. He had a good life. Thanks for sharing your story about him.

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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!

It sounds like both you and Chester were very lucky to have found each other. I always find it so amazing that we can bond so much with our pets. We have four cats and a kitten that I adore, and also a big baby pit bull. One of our cats is my baby. My oldest daughter brought her home after finding her on the side of the road. We thought she was about a six week old kitten, but when we took her to the vets they told us she was at least eight months old. She was in horrible shape, she was so malnourished and loaded with both worms and fleas that they didn't know if she would make it. That was seven years ago and not one single day has gone by that I don't feel blessed to have little peanut in our lives. We have had constant medical issues with her, but so far...she is still hanging in! Thanks for sharing your story about Chester, it made me sad, but at the same time...pleased that you and Chester got to share your special bond!

You have provided him with a great home, alot of happiness and security. What a wonderful life you gave him. You should be very proud and at peace about Chester. Still hurts alot and very sad, I know. I had to put my beautiful 6 yr old Vincenzo to sleep last January- still can't even talk about it.

I am so sorry for the loss of your cat.

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Sometimes the elevator often the shaft

I am also very sorry for the loss of your Chester.

I'm so very sorry that you lost your beloved companion.

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(((big hug)))

Your tribute was wonderful. You loved him enough not to let him suffer. Chester was a very, very lucky cat to have you as his owner!

Ahhhh. . .what a beautiful cat! I love the story how you met and fell in love. My Kita is also a "grabber".

I have this story I rarerly share. . .before my Dad died. . he had bypass surgery at 65 and was suppose to be fine, but he just wasn't doing well. We kept telling him he was fine, but he "knew". In his last 2 weeks, he kept telling us how much he loved us and was really making amends. . .NOT like my Dad at all! Well. . .he was telling us he kept having these dreams where he was in the most beautiful place he had ever seen and his childhood dog, Charlie, was running across a bridge to meet him. They would embrace and play. It was interesting because Charlie was a dog that he saved from being drown (back in the day when people used to put puppies in a bag and throw them in the river). He had later been hurt on the farm and only had 3 legs, but in this dream Charlie was fine. Sooo. . you know what I'm getting at here. . .I'm sure, when your day comes, Chester will be the first one there. . .head bumping, purring and swatting at you. Just know that you did the right thing and that Chester couldn't be more grateful.

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"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

Chester was precious!! I dread the day that I have to make that horrible decision. Bless you for making himpart of your family!!

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*** Find A Need , Fill A Need ***

{{{{{{BIG HUGS}}}}}} So sorry to hear about Chester. I know how painful it is. We had to put my kitty down at almost 19 years old and her sister died in my DH's arms almost 2 years to the day at 22 years old. It's been almost 2 years and not a day goes by that I don't think about either of them. We swear we still see them walking around the house. I love the story of how Chester got your attention, soooooooooooo cute!

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~~just open your eyes and see that life if beautiful~~

I am sorry for Cheser's passing. You gave him a wonderful life and great love.

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Laura
Please visit my blog
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Sorry to hear about your dear Chester.

So sorry for your loss. Our pets are members of the family so I feel your pain deeply. Chester was beautiful I am sure he had a great life!

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