Georgia mom adopts elderly, cancer-ridden dog and creates bucket list so his final days are happy

A Georgia woman has stepped up and taken a cancer-ridden dog under her care and treating him like a prince during his final days.

Chester the dog has terminal cancer, and sadly, his days are numbered.

But his new mom, Nicole Elliot, is making sure that his last days on Earth are the best they possibly can be.

And she's letting the world in on the fun, with a Facebook page that she hopes will help people learn about the special care, comfort, and love older animals like Chester need to be content.

So she has constructed a bucket list full of things for Chester to experience, and above all has been showering him with love and affection. Those are the things that Chester has really missed out on since he was rescued.

Elliot wrote on Facebook: "I saw a post about him needing a hospice for his remaining days.

"I had to consider it for a while and decide if I could handle it. I decided it would be an amazing experience to take on.

"It will be so tough to lose him shortly, so I decided to take the time he has left (which is undetermined, but not guessed to be very long,) and make it as happy as I can."

Elliot also explained her reservations to fostering Chester because of her young daughter, Paisley. Just before they got Chester, her grandma passed away.

She spoke to WTVM about her tough decision to bring Chester home: "I slept on it, and woke up knowing it was the right thing to do," she said. "I knew that it would be my responsibility to make his final days the best I could, to mine and his ability.

"I arrived before the shelter opened, and they let me in to get him. I fell in love the moment I saw him."

Not much is known about Chester's health and history. He was saved from a high-kill shelter in April and brought to a rescue home.

Elliot said on Facebook: "Chester was saved from death at the pound by Animal Ark Rescue back in April. He was in bad shape.

"He had surgery to remove some tumors. Soon after more tumors started showing up on his body. Today he has many cancerous lumps all over his body.

"He is also heart worm positive. He is still so sweet and as perky as he could be."

So far, Nicole has treated Chester to tons of experiences on his bucket list. She wants to ensure that he has an "awesome final ride."

She said to WTVM: "I am trying to give him normal doggy experiences that he may have never had the chance to do before, and a ton of spoiling.

"So far he took a ride with the windows down, he had a famous Nathans hot dog, he had a doggie sundae, he had a milk and oatmeal bath (spa day), he went on a shopping spree where he got a cozy bed, bandannas, lots of treats, and toys.

"Out of all of that his favorite part has been any of the food and treats - he still has a HUGE appetite."

As Chester's list gets smaller, the number of fans flocking to his Facebook page gets bigger. Elliot now asks for bucket list suggestions from commenters.

One said, "My daughter's rescue dogs love the Brusters sundaes & puppychinos from Starbucks. Hope he enjoyed his treats!"

And Elliot ensures that she will continue to spoil Chester until the very end. She has other plans in the works, like dinner at a nice restaurant, a beach day, and a birthday party at the animal rescue with other animals.