Chester, Ill miss you buddy.

[smith family kennels]

I lost Chester yesterday. There was a time I was going to rehome chester but changed my mind. He had turned into the dog that every yard wants. Beautiful, Conformation, Working, Weight pull, and a dog that would do anything to please you. What I have wanted to create on my yard I had already brought here. A dog that was not only a working dog but still held conformation for the show ring. Not overdone in muscle from working but still had the right weight and strength that he could have brought the heat on the weight pull track and what ever else I wanted to do with him. We had been working hard with chester and had our struggles with him from day one but knew that he was the one. Its a shame we will never be able to prove that factor as we so hoped to do. Chester was a bit of a nut and his life has been a struggle because of the dog he was. I almost lost chester back in the winter from the cold because he had eatten the top of his dog house yet again. I was just fixing to redo his set up and buy him a barrel cause lets face it a dog that eats everything you need something easier and cheaper to replace. This is a dog that never sat still. I had to buy him a bigger chain just to slow him down so that I could put weight on him. It didnt matter how much i fed him he just burned it off. I tried keeping him in the house but his aggression toward my house dogs was un real and I didnt have a crate that would hold him lol. He has been the biggest challenge on my yard to keep. I smiled everytime I seen that dog cause I knew even though he was a pain in the ass he was the real deal and one of the best dogs on my yard. Yesterday was a bad day for our yard. The heat index was just to much for my dogs. I have never lost a dog to the heat in all these years but now I can say I have and that I am at fault for this. Yes this is my fault and I have to live with this. I bought a sprinkler system for mydogs a few years ago but never got to put it up. The tubes got tore up before I got it up and running. With everythign going on in my life right now and with all the hard times we are having I wasnt paying attention to the weather but did walk my yard like I always do several times a day. I had took my son to the dr yesterday to have some test run. After we left the dr office we went to the grocery store and then came home. When I got home Chester was the first dog I seen. He was pacing his chain like he always does and seemed fine. I water my dogs everyday in 5 gallon buckets to make sure their water stays fresh. With the day being so busy I hadn't gotten to it yet. I walked out to do my walk of the yard and water my dogs and of coarse chester was the first one I came to he was dead. He had a heat stroke. in a panic I picked him up cussing and very upset. and moved him over by the shed. I then thought of my other dogs and cont. my rounds to find 3 of my other dogs struggling. I cooled them all off and they are doing well now. I regret that I was so caught up in everything going on in my life right now that I didnt think of how hot it was to my dogs. We buried chester last night beside Lucy which was the first female on this yard, also beside a pup that we lost and a rescue that didnt make it through a full day because of his illnesses. I have spent my day today walking from dog to dog hosing each dog down with a water hose to keep them cool. We live and we learn. And while Chester was a nut and a real dog for sure. He was a awesome dog and one that I would do anything to save and change what has happened if I could.

Chester we will miss you and IM sooo sooo Sorry.
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp41/smithfamilypitbulls/chester5months4.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp41/smithfamilypitbulls/chesterwatchingtv.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp41/smithfamilypitbulls/chesterplayingwithdaymian.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp41/smithfamilypitbulls/chesteranddaymian.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp41/smithfamilypitbulls/chester5months.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp41/smithfamilypitbulls/chesterharness1.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp41/smithfamilypitbulls/chesterpull1.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp41/smithfamilypitbulls/chestergashow3.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp41/smithfamilypitbulls/proudchester2.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp41/smithfamilypitbulls/GEDC0490.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp41/smithfamilypitbulls/GEDC0267.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp41/smithfamilypitbulls/Chesternov2092.jpg

[APBTMOMMY]

Oh Laura, I am so sorry to hear of this. I know that life throws us curves and test us all the time. Everyone one at one point in there life has done something they wish they could change or take back.

Chester will be remember here at MPBP and greatly missed. RIP Chester.

[infinity]

Farewell Chester...

I'm glad every one else was ok.

[Dansgrizz]

RIP Chester.

Its no secret he was my very favorite dog on your yard Laura. He will be missed very much. I was very upset when you told me of this. Lifes lessons are never easy and for some it seems that life insists that you pay the hardest consequences for these learnings.

[infinity]

Lifes lessons are never easier and for some it seems that life insists that you pay the hardest consequences for these learnings.
Well said...

[...Sydney...]

I am so sorry Laura...he was a beautiful dog. Run fast and free at Rainbow Bridge Chester you were very loved and you will be missed!

[green machine]

Im so so sorry to hear about this laura. I know how much you love him! RIP

[smith family kennels]

thanks guys. and I know Nate doesn't get to come on here much because he works all the time but this was his dog. This was one of his favorite dogs on the yard. He loved this dog. My son loved this dog. We are all pretty heart broken over it.

[Leon]

Sorry to hear about Chester Laura. I am sure everyone in your family will miss him dearly.

[the flea]

SFK we are very sorry for your loss over here. I know how much he ment to ya'll again sorry for your loss.

[chris mercer]

I'm sorry for your loss and the pain you must be feeling. Heat stroke is a real sneak, we as humans don't recognize the signs as readily as we would other diseases of trauma. I have almost caused it earlier this year with my dogs trying to keep the,m in shape. The problem with dogs with heart and bottom is they want to go right now. Whether or not dogs have cognizant intelligence or not they do not foresee end results of hard work in dangerous heat. I tried to work them at night , shorter distances and more water breaks but alas one of my females in just over a mile run became disoriented and wanted to lie down. I was very lucky as I was able to get her cooled off with the water I had. I usually carry five gallons for this purpose. I have since curtailed all running until it cools off. Swimming is ok. Although this is a terrible loss for you it should be a warning to all of us about the dangers of the heat. I keep wading pools in my lot for the dogs and clean them daily. I moved them out of the sun and under the trees, the dogs love them. Again, I'm sorry for your loss.

Chris Mercer

[PullDawgPits]

Laura and Nate, I am so sorry for your loss. This heat has been brutal for sure. It is a constant battle to keep the dogs cool enough.

RIP CHester

Stephanie

[CraziNate]

Wow I'm really sorry for your loss. RIP Chester

[NATE]

Thank you everyone he was a great dog one of the best i have owned. I have been in the dogs my hole life and in 30 years i have never lost a dog to the heat .So let this be a warning you everyone if can happen to us it can and will happen to you if you don't keep a close eye on your four legged friends .He will be missed and again thank you everyone .

[MCS]

Sorry for your loss, he was a beautiful animal. God bless

[sw_df27]

I already spoke with you about this the night it happened just wanted to say again sorry for the loss.....