EUCLID, Ohio — It was the video that made national news. A dog from Ohio gets a limo ride to his new home, after spending 587 days in a shelter waiting for someone to adopt him.
It was not only Chester, the dog's best day ever, but a very happy moment for the dozens of people who helped him get where he is today. To truly appreciate the joy of the occasion, is to understand the hard road it took to get here.
According to Kyrie Brickman, Kennel Manager of the Euclid Animal Shelter, Chester came to the shelter on Aug. 10, 2022. It's a day she'll never forget.
"Animal Control got a call that dogs were left in an abandoned house," Brickman said.
Four dogs were in the house in terrible conditions, without access to food or water. Three of them, females, roamed the house. The fourth, a male, was chained so tightly he couldn't even lie down.
That was Chester.
"To be honest, I don't know how much longer he would've lasted if we did not get him. And he walked a few steps and then he had to be carried because he was so malnourished," Brickman said.
All four dogs were in rough shape, but Chester's road would be the longest. He was heartworm positive, extremely malnourished and had mange. Understandably his spirit was broken too.
"I am very protective over everything he went through," Brickman said. "I think anybody that was there that day at the shelter that Chester came in, it will stay with them forever."
It took about 10 months for Chester's body to heal. He underwent painful heartworm treatment, recovered from his skin disease and slowly began to put weight on his frail body. But it would take longer for him to establish trust.
As the dogs Chester was brought in with found homes, he discovered a life outside.
A band of loving, patient volunteers spoiled him whenever they could. They slowly began taking him out to experience nature, going on hikes and letting him play in water. They made sure he experienced the holidays, making sure he stayed enriched when he spent so much of his time in a kennel. They even took him on an overnight to a hotel, where he wore pajamas and got to sleep in a plush bed.
"He never gave up. He was very resilient through everything he went through," Brickman added. And that included waiting for someone to choose him as time passed and days ticked by.
In January of this year, Chester got the boost he needed thanks to The Stand Up For Pits Hope Campaign and northeast Ohio photographer Greg Murray. SUFP Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to education, advocacy and saving the lives of pit bull "type" dogs.
SUFP carries out its mission through live events, funds, education and advocacy. It supports Pit Bull “type” dog rescues through funds and publicity. It’s a cause that brought founder Rebecca Corry and renowned Cleveland pet photographer Murray together, who is himself a vocal advocate.
"They're inherently good dogs," Murray told 3News in January. "You know, dangerous is not the way a dog looks."
As part of SUFP's Hope Campaign, Murray and two other photographers in major cities photographed Pit Bulls from shelters, many of whom had stayed too long. That's how Ready Pet GO! was introduced to Chester, who had been in the Euclid Animal Shelter for 540 days at that point.
Four dogs Murray photographed for SUFP have since been adopted or pulled by a rescue-based foster organization. He also creates short social media videos to give the animals even more attention.
Murray's social media blitz of Chester was shared far and wide, eventually catching the attention of Lauren Reitsman.
"A friend of mine has known that I've always wanted a dog and so she tagged me in a post on Facebook about him," Reitsman said.
After several meet and greets at the shelter and at the new home Reitsman had recently purchased, the deal was sealed. Chester and Lauren were the right fit. A match made in adoption heaven.
"I think adoption is so important especially when an animal has had a really rough start in life because they deserve it even more," Reitsman said, holding back tears.
And she wasn't alone. It was an emotional day for volunteers who came to the shelter to say goodbye. The Animal Control Officer who took Chester from the abandoned home also went along for the ride. Murray, too. And Brickman, who hoped this day would finally come. It truly was the best day ever, not just for this good boy, but for the army he had behind him.
"This dog that, you know, at one point we didn't even know if he'd live to, bring all these people together," Brickman said.
It's been about 10 days since Chester started his new life. Reitsman has kept us updated. All animals must take time to decompress and settle into new routines. Reitsman tells us in those first few days Chester would not allow her to leave his sight and followed her throughout the house. Now, he's settled in, more comfortable with her movements, and seems less anxious.
He has enjoyed his toys, de-stuffing a few to his amusement. He has a new set of pajamas and has welcomed guests into the home, often climbing onto his visitors' laps on the couch. On his first night, Reitsman spoiled him with homemade meatballs. She's also keeping the name "Chester" as he's had it so long. But she's also bestowed on him a more royal moniker for special occasions: Chester William Reitsman the First of Royalton.
To check out more adoptable animals at Euclid Pet Pets head HERE.