• AOL
  • MAIL
    • Prison Life in America
    • Today's Funniest Photos 5-21-13
    • Today's Funniest Photos 5-20-13
    • Today's Funniest Photos 5-16-13
    • The Best Episode From Each Season of 'The Simpsons'
    • Watch: Tornado Victim Finds Dog During TV Interview
    • Watch: Incredible Time-Lapse Video of Oklahoma Tornado
    • Photos: Devastating Tornado Strikes Moore, Okla.
    • Twitter Photos Reveal Tornado Devastation in Moore, Okla.
    • Dozens Killed in Oklahoma Tornado; Death Toll to Rise
Sign In / Register
  • Cute & Funny
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • All Pets
  • Home
  • Animals
  • News
  • Video
  • Who's Cutest
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • All Pets
  • View Gallery

    Baby Pancake the Cat Eats Watermelon

  • View Gallery

    Daily Adorbs for May 21, 2013

  • View Gallery

    What Is It Like to Be Eaten by a Grizzly Bear? GoPro Camera Knows

  • View Gallery

    Good Morning Gifs: May 21st, 2013

  • Photos
  • Breeds
  • Health
  • Adoption
  • Nutrition
  • Lifestyle
  • Training
  • Grooming
  • View Gallery

    Your Guide to Canine Growling

  • View Gallery

    Okla. Tornado Survivor Finds Missing Dog During Live TV Interview

  • View Gallery

    Marine And His Beloved Dog Reunited In Surprise Ceremony

  • View Gallery

    Why Large Dogs Die Young

  • Photos
  • Breeds
  • Health
  • Adoption
  • Nutrition
  • Lifestyle
  • Behavior
  • Grooming
  • View Gallery

    Baby Pancake the Cat Eats Watermelon

  • View Gallery

    Good Morning Gifs: May 21st, 2013

  • View Gallery

    Meet Princess Monster Truck

  • View Gallery

    Good Morning Gifs: May 20th, 2013

  • Photos
  • Pets A-Z
  • Health
  • Adoption
  • Causes
  • Wild Animals
  • Lifestyle
  • View Gallery

    Daily Adorbs for May 21, 2013

  • View Gallery

    Navy Dolphin Finds Rare 130-Year-Old Torpedo

  • View Gallery

    Rare Egg Guarded 24 Hours a Day

  • View Gallery

    Florida Man Jumps On, Harasses Manatees

  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Birds
  • Celebs
  • Talented
  • Weird
  • View Gallery

    Daily Adorbs for May 21, 2013

  • View Gallery

    Navy Dolphin Finds Rare 130-Year-Old Torpedo

  • View Gallery

    Your Guide to Canine Growling

  • View Gallery

    Rare Egg Guarded 24 Hours a Day

  • View All
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • All Pets
  • Editor's Favorites
  • View Video

    Baby Pancake the Cat Eats Watermelon

  • View Video

    What Is It Like to Be Eaten by a Grizzly Bear? GoPro Camera Knows

  • View Video

    Okla. Tornado Survivor Finds Missing Dog During Live TV Interview

  • View Video

    Marine And His Beloved Dog Reunited In Surprise Ceremony

Get in the game
This Week's Top Leaders.
  • 1. Teddy Quakertown, PA
  • 2. Nora Sunshine Chicago, IL
  • 3. Joe Shoals, IN
  • 4. ChewChew New York, NY
  • 5. ROMEO Ft. Worth, TX
  • Veiled Chameleon Care Sheet

  • How to Help Your Parrot Talk

  • Difference Between Male & Female Florida Softshell Turtles

  • Caring for an Arboreal Tarantula

  • How Does a Curb Bit Work?

Cats

  • Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow @paw_nation
  • Follow @ChopperInCharge
  • Follow @CairoInControl
  • Photos
  • Breeds
  • Health
  • Adoption
  • Nutrition
  • Lifestyle
  • Behavior
  • Grooming

The Viral Story of a Redditor Who Stuck by Her Ailing Cat for a Year

the daily dish More on PawNation: Cats, Health, Heart-Warming, Relationship, Safety, The Dish

By Catster Feb 05, 2013

  • Cheeseflash/reddit
    1 of 11

    As Valentine's Day approaches, we're reminded that love takes many forms. So, if you're tempted to be bitter, simply look around you — you'll find you're surrounded by love. Here's a story that's sure to make your heart melt.

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • Cheeseflash/reddit
    2 of 11

    When Reddit user Cheeseflash and her boyfriend adopted Chester, née Cheeto, they wondered what was up with the orange kitty. It seemed he could lie down in only one position. 

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • Cheeseflash/reddit
    3 of 11

    Also, he wouldn't eat, he wouldn't play, and he was always sick. From the first day, Chester was in and out of the vet's office with mysterious ailments.

    RELATED: Does Your Cat Get Depression in Winter? Light Therapy Can Help

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • Cheeseflash/reddit
    4 of 11

    After four months of inconclusive evaluations (and mounting medical bills), Cheeseflash and her boyfriend switched vets and finally got their answer — albeit, a challenging and painful one.

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • Cheeseflash/reddit
    5 of 11

    Chester had been hit by a car and suffered from a chronic diaphragmatic hernia. He required expensive and risky surgery to correct the problem and live a full life, so the little family piled into the car and headed to Washington State University to see what its veterinary school could do for the kitty.

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • Cheeseflash/reddit
    6 of 11

    The surgery was successful, but little Chester experienced complications afterward and came within inches of death. Cheeseflash and her boyfriend never left Chester's side, camping out in their car to be near the feline as he recuperated. 

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • Cheeseflash/reddit
    7 of 11

    The vets at WSU fell in love with Chester and even made him a little sleeping mask to help him rest. According to the vet, Chester had been living on the streets with his injury for nearly seven months.

    RELATED: 5 Ways to Calm Your Cat During Car Travel

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • Cheeseflash/reddit
    8 of 11

    Because of the complications following surgery, Chester needed two toes amputated. 

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • Cheeseflash/reddit
    9 of 11

    Cheeseflash and her boyfriend couldn't afford the surgery, so they crowdfunded the money they needed.

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • Cheeseflash/reddit
    10 of 11

    After a grueling year fraught with worry and expensive surgeries, the orange cat is now happy and healthy. Cheeseflash posted photos of the ordeal to celebrate his triumph.

    RELATED: Four Tips for Keeping Indoor-Outdoor Cats Safe

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • Cheeseflash/reddit
    11 of 11
    Next: 12 Home Remedies for Pets

    More Information from PawNation:

    Hernias can be tricky to diagnose, and they can cause your cat great discomfort. Hernia symptoms include lethargy, weakness, vomiting, heavy breathing, coughing and abdominal pain. A hernia is usually the result of a previous trauma, so it is important to closely watch your cat's behavior after an accident. The more serious the hernia, the more complicated the surgery, so take your feline to the vet if you have any concerns. Read on to learn more about hernias and felines from petMD. 

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum
21

22 Comments

Filter by:
Roya Eshragh

Hey everyone. So this is my cat. He's doing better than we ever imagined he could be! The full story, plus lots more pictures and videos is at savechester.weebly.com. Thanks for all the nice wishes you're sending!

February 06 2013 at 7:09 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Lisa

Admittedly, I'm a cat person, but if you love survival stories like this, read Oogy by Larry Levin. My daughter found it in her school library, but it's a wonderful story.

February 06 2013 at 3:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Ellie

I can't find the story behind the sickness.

February 06 2013 at 11:52 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Ellie's comment
Lisa

you have to look at the slides, sometimes they don't readily load if you have a slow connection.

February 06 2013 at 3:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
RJM

God bless his parents for ensuring Chester's problem was diagnosed and fixed. And kisses and hugs to that Chester kitty. Nothing I wouldn't do for my killer cat boy either.

February 06 2013 at 3:37 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply
Virginia

I'm so happy to know there are people out there that have so much love in their hearts for our four leg children. I have two right now, my little girl Sassy who is 19 years old and slowing down can't imagine not having her in my life, Yoda who is about 11 and having some medical issues stressful and running out of money,but they are my children my companions. I would do whatever it takes to keep them healthy and happy as long as I can. God bless you and your kitties wish you happiness,health and wealth.

February 06 2013 at 2:18 AM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down Reply
lanio4

I am so happy your cat is better now. He is a gorgeous cat and looks so much happier now that he is well. That was a great story. So glad his parents stuck by him.

February 06 2013 at 2:08 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply
crayzdab

This makes my heart happy. Chester has wonderful young parents who should be very proud of their devotion to their pet. If only there were more people like them. The world would be wonderful.

February 05 2013 at 10:28 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply
rugabeast777

I love a story like this one. I have six cats myself and I love them all so much. I have a saying to people, " All my kids have a tail and four paws."

February 05 2013 at 9:42 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply
tsqlou

Chester reminds me of my cat, Spencer. Spencer was an orange color too. We took him in, he had been either abandoned or lost. He had been declawed and fixed, so we know he previously had a home. Turned out he had cancerous skin tumors. We had him about 5 years, taking him for chemo treatments about once a month on the average. You would never know he had any health problems. He loved people, would run to the door when the doorbell rang, just like a dog! We loved him very much, he was such a joy. Sadly, he went to rainbow bridge last May, just a month after my husband passed. Chester is a lucky cat, having found such a loving family, and I wish them all a wonderful and healthy life.

February 05 2013 at 8:59 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply
Damien G. Bartee

Aww! What big ol Baby !-- He look sooo healthy now! It really makes me feel good to see that I am not the only one that would do anything for my cats. Awesome Story!!

February 05 2013 at 8:33 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply
Load more comments

Who is Cutest?

Riley Chloe
Vote Now

Get your daily dose of PawNation by signing up for the Newsletter!

Thanks. You're pawesome.
More Cuteness

More on PawNation

  • Ask A Vet Get answers.
  • Pets Taking Bubble Baths LOL
  • Dogs Are Better Than Boyfriends Why?
  • Is Your Dog Sick? Check symptoms.
  • !2 Craziest Mutant Animals Wow!
  • Play The "Who's Cutest" Game Vote now!

From:

  • Photos: Top 10 Dogs for Kids
  • Chocolate Toxicity Meter for Dogs
  • Why Do Dogs Eat Grass
  • Are You Overfeeding Your Cat?

From:

  • Does Your Pet Have Cancer? 6 Signs to Look For
  • The Biggest Pet Threat as the Weather Warms Up
  • Travel Tips For You and Your Pet
  • Flea-Proof Your Pets
  • Get Fit for Summer With Your Pet

From:

  • Helping Pets in Oklahoma Tragedy
  • 20 Trendiest Dog Breeds in America
  • Elderly Woman Finds Dog in Tornado Rubble During Live TV Interview
  • Your Guide to Dog Growling
  • 11 Cat Breeds With Funny Names

From:

  • 5 Signs Your Dog Loves You
  • The Top 10 Most Popular Mixed Breed Dogs
  • Dog Tattoos: Animal Cruelty or Acceptable?
  • Tricky Terriors: Teach Your Dog 10 Great Skills
  • Pawnation
  • Cute & Funny
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • All Pets
  • Animals
  • News
  • Video
  • Who's Cutest

Most Pawpular:

  • Breaking Bad News With Baby Animals
  • South American 'Crazy' Ants Are a Threat in Southern US
  • Cat Returns From the 'Dead' in Case of Mistaken Identity
  • Adorable Kitten Freaked Out by Lizard
  • Anteater Gives Birth Despite No Apparent Male Partner

Most Recent:

  • Daily Adorbs for May 21, 2013
  • Navy Dolphin Finds Rare 130-Year-Old Torpedo
  • Rare Egg Guarded 24 Hours a Day
  • Okla. Tornado Survivor Finds Missing Dog During Live TV Interview
  • Marine And His Beloved Dog Reunited In Surprise Ceremony

Follow PawNation

Never miss a single purr or woof
Sign up here for newsletter

Thanks. You're pawesome.
  • User Agreement
  • Privacy
  • Send Feedback
  • About our Ads
  • Copyright Notices
  • Community Guidelines
  • Media/PR Inquiries
  • © 2013 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
AOL Family
BermanBraun