Goodbye Chester, We Love You So Much

Yesterday, on February 18th, Amanda's beloved dog Chester passed away. Although he'd been taking on some rather endearing geriatric traits lately (a slower gait, trouble climbing onto the couch, etc), the end was much too fast.



Chester was hands down the best dog I ever knew.



He was loyal and trusting and gentle, he always wanted to be close to everybody. And I mean really close. Like under-your-feet-constantly close.



I know a lot of people think their pets are their perfect match, but Chester was destined to be Amanda's dog. He chose her himself, not the other way around.



When Amanda was working in the desert on The Hulk, this dog kept circling around but it took him awhile to get the courage to get near people - probably because he had recently been shot.



When he finally did come in, he came to Amanda's side and then never left it again.



Chester was the first one who knew about Veronica.



He knew before even Amanda knew.



He kept nuzzling Amanda in the belly, staying even closer to her than usual (which is saying a lot; as I mentioned, that big dog could stick to you like velcro). So when she discovered she was growing little V, it all made sense.



And although there was a little adjustment period, I don't think a dog has ever loved a little baby more than Chester loved Veronica.



From the day she came home, he was patient and gentle with her.



Always nearby to keep her safe, and to keep her warm.



Veronica tweaked his ears and pushed his tummy and pulled his hair, but Chester always stayed calm and his name was one of the first she learned.



They were good buddies, because Chester was family. Chester was her brother.



Understandably, little V is hurting over Chester's loss, too.



I wish this was a lesson she never had to learn, but I guess that's the way of the world. Amanda says she has been crying since it happened, saying "Chester come back".



I hope her heart feels better soon.



I hope everyone's hearts feel better soon. Chester took up a lot of space in those hearts; that void is cavernous.



A world without Chester is a little colder. A little less snuggly.



He was the consummate gentleman, a listener of woes. He was an emotional litmus, and always reacted the right way.



Chester was docile enough to be playful, and let you do obnoxious things like put baby shoes on him...



Or dress him up like a reindeer...



Humiliating. But he'd always take one for the team that way.



I'm glad that after what certainly seems like a hard beginning in life, that Chester ended up in a family where he was so loved, so taken care of, so comfortable.



The room at Team Gore HQ will seem woefully off balance without Chester holding down the center, but I know to my core that he got into puppy heaven quicker than almost any other puppy ever. (Except maybe one of those dogs that dial 911, but that's it.)



So goodbye, Chester. You were sweet and patient and loving and loyal, and we were lucky to have you and will miss you so much.

Good boy. You're a good boy.
Drea