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A Pit Bull mix that spent nearly 600 days at an Ohio shelter finally went to his forever home on Monday, March 18, and he did it in style – by riding a limousine.
Chester, the five-year-old Pit Bull who spent a total of 587 days at the Euclid Animal Shelter, was the shelter’s longest resident.
Chested has had a rough start at life. According to Euclid Animal Shelter, the pooch was heartworm positive and was “shockingly emaciated”, to the point where he was too weak to even walk, when they found him in August 2022.
Furthermore, when they found him, Chester was only 25 pounds, but a dog his size should at least be 60 pounds.
Kyrie Brickman, the shelter’s kennel manager, tells USA Today that Chester was found chained up and in an abandoned home.
Describing the house and the situation the pooch was found, Brickman said, “The house was absolutely disgusting. It was full of feces, dirt (and) clothes. It kind of looked like a little horror story to be honest.”
Brickman added that Chester might’ve been there for at least a week. But “It was likely a little bit longer,” she said.
“They had no idea if he would make it. He was strong though, and Chester recovery is one of true resiliency,” his adoption profile read.
While the shelter helped Chester become healthy again, being at the shelter for far too long was taking a toll on the pooch.
“No dog deserves one minute in a shelter let alone 543 DAYS,” Stand Up For Pits Foundation, Inc. said in a Facebook post about Chester on February.
But on March 18, Chester’s most awaited day finally happened. And he did it in style! Chester went home to his new hooman, Lauren Reitsman, in a limousine provided by Lake Erie Limo.
Greg Murray, a photographer and an advocate of shelter animals, documented Chester’s Gotcha Day.
In the heartwarming video, Chester can be seen going out of the shelter where a limo was waiting. The happy pooch was surrounded by supporters and friends who had the chance to pet him one last time and say good bye to him.
Now, Chester seems to be right where he belongs – at home, with a loving family.
FOX shares that Chester is now enjoying life at home, playing with his toys, getting belly rubs, and plenty of doggie kisses.
“He has all these people around him, and he’s just bopping around just to see who he can get love from. So I think I won the lottery,” Reitsman said.
She also added, “I just feel like he kind of completes my life.”
In a Facebook post, Brickman wrote, “You’ve become a beacon for all those dogs still waiting in shelters, showing them that their perfect home is out there, waiting.”
“Congratulations, Chester. Today, you’ve truly found your place in the world.”
