Rescue Dog Gets Limo Ride to His New Home After Waiting Close to 2 Years for a Family
"I think I won the lottery," Chester's new owner says of adopting the dog from Ohio's Euclid Animal Shelter
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A stock photo of dog in limoAfter spending nearly two years in the shelter, Chester is living like an A-lister.
According to FOX New 8, the rescue pit bull lived at Ohio's Euclid Animal Shelter for 587 days after he was rescued from neglectful conditions. Chester spent that time in the shelter patiently waiting for a home. On March 18, Euclid Pet Pals, the shelter's nonprofit, announced the long-awaited news on Facebook: "CHESTER IS GOING HOME!!!!!!"
Lauren Reitsman adopted Chester, who is approximately four or five years old, on Monday, per FOX News 8. When the pit bull finally walked out of Euclid Animal Shelter, Chester was treated to a surprise— a luxe limo ride to his new home.
Euclid Pet Pals shared a video of the special treat on Facebook. In the clip, Chester walks out of the shelter and is greeted by a cheering crowd lined up to the limo, which Lake Erie Limo donated for the ride.
The shelter's kennel manager, Kyrie Brickman, said that before Chester arrived at Euclid Animal Shelter, he was discovered chained to a window with three other dogs in a vacant house after being left there for over a week, per FOX News 8.
"Chester was completely skin and bones; the dog couldn't even lay down. He had his paw stuck in a prong collar, and he was a mess. He had to be carried out after a little bit because he could not stand," Brickman told the outlet.
"He absolutely was so relieved to see people and to be honest, I don't know how much longer he would have lasted," she added. Chester slowly regained his weight and strength over 10 months, but he remained at the shelter until he won over Reitsman.
"I think I won the lottery," Reitsman told FOX News 8 about adopting the dog.
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Shortly after the limo dropped Chester off at this new home, the shelter shared an update on how the dog settled in. "We cannot be more thankful to everyone involved in making his dream come true of finding his very own forever home!" Euclid Pet Pals wrote on Facebook.
"We already received an update from his mom, who says he is already snoozing from his big day! She is making him his favorite meal tonight, and that is meatballs!" the post continued.
Brickman shared a sweet tribute to Chester on Facebook after the dog departed from Euclid Animal Shelter.
Related: Close to 30 Golden Retrievers — Including 20 Puppies — Rescued From 'Horrendous' Conditions in R.I.
"Your story touched thousands, Chester, and I was privileged to be the one to narrate your journey from the shelter to this moment," she wrote alongside photos of her with the dog.
She also shared how, although he may have had a rocky start, he "infused hope into countless hearts."
"You've become a beacon for all those dogs still waiting in shelters, showing them that their perfect home is out there, waiting," Brickman added.
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