We got Chester early in November, 2003. He was Mack's brother and wasn't for sale when Mack picked us for his forever parents. We had Sophie Marie (rescue Red Heeler) at home so we weren't concerned about Mack being an only dog, but we did mention that if she decided to sell Chester we'd be interested! Towards the end of October we got a call from the breeder that Chester was for sale, so over to Portland we went to get him. He had cherry eye so we figured we'd neuter the boys right away and get that eye fixed at the same time. That was when we found out that Chester had a very small trachea. We knew then that Chester would have special needs and require extra care.
We celebrated Mack and Chester's first birthday by getting them laser palate clips. Mack's was easy; Chester was in surgery well over an hour, he was a real trooper!
Meanwhile we had sold our business and property in Central Oregon and moved to N.E. Oregon in Feb. 2005. We lived in the workshop area of our barn while our house was being built. Yeah, 2 dogs + a neighbor Jack Russell that was left alone, 1 cat, & 2 people--those were very close days! We had noticed that Chester was very playful but didn't have the stamina to go for walks so I'd spend time just playing with Chester; then take Mack for a long walk. Chester resented those walks--maybe I'm nuts, but about the time they turned 3, Chester started picking fights with Mack. At first Mack didn't fight back; but eventually he did. We had to keep them separated at all times.
Progress on our house was slow but that's how things are when you live at the end of the road. One of the electricians who worked on our house brought his son up to play with the Bulldogs early on. He was 10 and had always wanted a Bulldog. Brock would come to work with his dad every chance he got so he could have some Bulldog time. As the Bulldog fighting escalated here the solution became apparent. When Chester was 3 years and 3 months old he became Brock Hickman's dog. We talked to Brock and his parents about Chester's small trachea (snug 6) and the importance of keeping his weight down and making sure he didn't get overheated! They took such good care of him. They had other outside only dogs, Chester was fine with them. Their kitty accepted Chester; Chester knew how to treat a cat. A year ago Hickmens got their daughter an inside dog, a little Boston Bulldog. Chester got along fine with her. Chester had a good life; Chester got what he always wanted, his own kids! We love you, Chester. Rest in peace.
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We celebrated Mack and Chester's first birthday by getting them laser palate clips. Mack's was easy; Chester was in surgery well over an hour, he was a real trooper!
Meanwhile we had sold our business and property in Central Oregon and moved to N.E. Oregon in Feb. 2005. We lived in the workshop area of our barn while our house was being built. Yeah, 2 dogs + a neighbor Jack Russell that was left alone, 1 cat, & 2 people--those were very close days! We had noticed that Chester was very playful but didn't have the stamina to go for walks so I'd spend time just playing with Chester; then take Mack for a long walk. Chester resented those walks--maybe I'm nuts, but about the time they turned 3, Chester started picking fights with Mack. At first Mack didn't fight back; but eventually he did. We had to keep them separated at all times.
Progress on our house was slow but that's how things are when you live at the end of the road. One of the electricians who worked on our house brought his son up to play with the Bulldogs early on. He was 10 and had always wanted a Bulldog. Brock would come to work with his dad every chance he got so he could have some Bulldog time. As the Bulldog fighting escalated here the solution became apparent. When Chester was 3 years and 3 months old he became Brock Hickman's dog. We talked to Brock and his parents about Chester's small trachea (snug 6) and the importance of keeping his weight down and making sure he didn't get overheated! They took such good care of him. They had other outside only dogs, Chester was fine with them. Their kitty accepted Chester; Chester knew how to treat a cat. A year ago Hickmens got their daughter an inside dog, a little Boston Bulldog. Chester got along fine with her. Chester had a good life; Chester got what he always wanted, his own kids! We love you, Chester. Rest in peace.
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Hard to lose them....
God Bless Chester
