Chester

In June 1996 we attended the Pug Nationals in Indianapolis to meet breeders to see about getting a puppy the following year. We were determined not to make the same mistake of purchasing a puppy with potential health problems from a "backyard breeder." One evening while strolling the grounds with Chopper and Choomia we saw an x-pen of puppies. I made the mistake of picking up a little guy with a broken nose roll and found out he was for sale. After an almost sleepless night of talking about moving up our puppy acquisition schedule, I left the final decision to Andy. When he left the proceedings, I wasn't sure if he would return with a puppy or returned deposit check. I was surprised when he came back with Chester.

As Chester got a little older we noticed he was squinting quite a bit,
we scheduled an ophthalmalic consultation. He had eye surgery (bilateral medial canthoplasty) in January 1997 at Iowa State Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

August 7, 2001: I took Choomia and Chester to the vet for routine appointments. I wanted Choomia to have a thyroid test and Chester needed a vaccination. We did Chester first and then put him down and put Choomia on the table. The vet joked about how Chester wanted to lay right where she needed to be, then a few moments later he started to vomit and seemed very lethargic. Dr. Brown surmised that he was having a reaction to the vaccine and immediately gave him some benadryl. When he didn't perk up, she followed that with epinephrine. We both watched him very carefully for over an hour and his heart rate was good and his lungs were fine--but he was still extremely lethargic. I was concerned about Choomia since they don't keep the office as cool as our house. They suggested that since he was improving but not to the point where they wanted him to go home that I should take Choomia home and they'd call me when he was feeling better. So I did.

Choomia and I got home about 12:45. About 2:00 I started to get concerned that they hadn't called. I laid down for a few minutes to peruse the mail and fell asleep. About 3:30 I awoke and knew something was wrong, I called the vet office and got the answering machine and had a sinking feeling. I walked out to get a drink of water and answered the phone, it was Andy--since I had been on the phone they had called him to tell him Chester had died. We have tried so hard to keep our pugs safe and give them the very best care and to have him die from a routine vaccination is unbelievable! He was only five!!

There is a possibility that mast cell tumors may been involved. In September of 2000 we had two small masses removed and sent for examination. Both were diagnosed as Mast Cell Tumor (Grade II), multifocal. Since mast cells are responsible for histamine reactions, it is possible that if he had an additional unidentified mast cell tumor that may have been to blame. It could have been responsible for an increased histamine reaction that he just couldn't overcome.

He was the best buddy anyone could have. He was gentle and more snuggly and cuddly than any dog I've known. Despite being 27 lbs, he didn't have an ounce of fat on him--he long and tall with a huge deep chest. He could land right on you and yet feel light as a feather. He was a wonderful pug, big and strong, but gentle and quiet at the same time
AND he was the best snuggler of all time!

He was always right by your side when you needed cheering up--except for now...

Chester April 16, 1996 - August 7, 2001 His pedigree.

Chester
April 16, 1996 - August 7, 2001
His pedigree.