A Toast for a Family Pet: Some Memories of Pup Chester (2011-2023) From the Purificacion Family with a Prayer of Praise to God For Chester

 

Chester is the family pup.  Here is my sister, Rachel, with Chester.  

 

Last Tuesday, Chester died.  

 

The family is very sad.  

Here is an excerpt from Rachel's message:

Dear family & friends— 

Cheers to our number one pup Chester  please help us in cheering to his life… a life that we will always remember. We will cherish the memories we made with him and only be left with happy thoughts, smiles, and laughter. Let's raise a glass!

3/15/2011- 7/4/2023 

When you can, please send a special memory you have with our boy. (Feel free to do it separate from this group text) We are grieving and remembering special moments seems like the best way to get through the pain. Thank you  

Love...

Hear, hear!

So raise a glass with us...

...to Chester!

Man's best friend

Woman's best friend

In-laws' best friend

Everyone's best friend

* * *

I group replied with the following message, after asking the kids over family dinner for their favorite memories of Chester.  

Some memories of Chester from the Purificacion Family:

Faith Marie (age 9): I remember Braxton, Chester and I were running around the park on John Paul's graduation party together.  I also gave him water.

Tove Ann: When Joey, the kids, and Dennis all jogged/ran alongside Braxton around the block, while he and Peter rode the buggie car, and Chester ran with everyone.

John Paul (17): Chester greeted every visiting family member, and he barked while we cheered after singing Happy Birthday.

Peter (5): Playing with Chester.

Mariana (12): We were playing on the couch -- EJ, Faith, Hope and me  -- and we were throwing toys while Chester was chasing after the toys. 

EJ (14): Faith and I played tug o war rope w Chester.

Hope (7): I used to scratch Chester's back so much!!  And I used to feed him a little bit of goldfish crackers.

Dennis: How much joy and delight Chester brought especially to my sister Rachel's heart, and how he helped teach my kids responsibility when being around Chester.

Thanks, everyone.  We remembered you all at Mass and at our family rosary the past couple of days.  We know this is a painful time, and we are really sad Chester died.  Chester is a beautiful and loving part of our family history!  We love you, Chester!!!

* * *

Prayer to Praise God for Chester

(adapted from sources HERE and HERE and HERE)

+ Lord God, we thank you for the gift of Chester.

 Even in our sadness, with St. Francis, we pray: Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures.

“For you love all things that exist, and detest none of the things that you have made...” (Wis. 11:24).

Every creature is in your gentle hands, Loving Father, and you give each being its place in the world. Even the fleeting life of the least of your beings is held by your love.  And in their brief time of existence, you embrace them with great affection.

Our affection for Chester, thus, reminds us of You and Your love.

Thank you for our precious time that we had with him.

Thank you for showing us the wonder and beauty of Your creation through Chester.

Thank you for the cherished memories that Chester built with us.

And thank you for the laughter and joy that he brought to our hearts.

May all of creation always lead us to praise you and love you more and more.  We ask this through Christ Our Lord.  Amen.

“O Lord, how manifold are your works! 

In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures …” (Ps. 104).

Good boy.