When a woman decided to adopt a dying dog, it was an act of compassion. But her decision to create a bucket list for Chester, and document it all on social media, has captured the imagination of pet lovers everywhere. Her love and compassion for an animal that may have only weeks to live has focused attention on hospice care for pets.
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In a new television commercial, dubbed “Dream Weekend”, a man has made a bucket list for his fourteen and three-quarter-year old dog; together they set out in his Subaru to check off the items one by one. He takes his furry friend to the beach; they share breakfast in bed. They pay a visit to his dog’s old girlfriend, sneak into a hotel swimming pool, run in the park, play with a hundred tennis balls.
The idea is to encourage pet owners to find ways to repay their canine companions for all the dedication and devotion their faithful pets have given them. Subaru has also launched a campaign called #MakeADogsDay, asking owners to “do even more for their dogs” and share it on social media.
Then there are other pets who maybe haven’t had such a great life.
Chester, a fourteen year old dog, had been surrendered to a Georgia animal shelter, rescued by Animal Ark, and treated for cancer. Realizing the outlook was bleak, the rescue group wanted to find someone who would give him a home for the last weeks of his life.
Nicole Elliott saw the picture of the scruffy little dog on the group’s Facebook pageand decided she would take him home and love him for whatever time he had left. She started an informal bucket list for Chester, beginning with a shopping spree for toys and treats followed by a spa treatment, an oatmeal milk bath which Chester really liked.
Because of his age and terminal health problems, she is careful to choose things he can do and enjoy. So far he has gone for a car ride with the windows down, snacked on both a hot dog and a doggie sundae, enjoyed belly rubs. Mostly Nicole is spoiling him as much as possible. She is not looking forward to the goodbye that will come probably too soon, but she intends to give him “an awesome final ride”.
Nicole has created a Facebook page called “Chester’s Final Journey” which already has more than sixty thousand likes. She hopes to encourage others to help pets like Chester who need hospice care.
So what would you put on a bucket list for your furry friend? It’s really a great way to focus on all the benefits and blessings we receive from our animal companions, especially when we’re speaking of pets.
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