Francesca “Chesie” Lape, a dog who truly became a connoisseur of the good life, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2023, following a short yet valiant battle for control of her hind legs. She was ten years old in human years.
Chesie was born on February 23, 2013 in Nashville, TN. Born into uncertainty but destined for opulence, she promptly traded her Southern roots for a Massachusetts adventure. Chesie was adopted into her forever family on May 25, 2013 and has been loved and adored ever since. For the first three and a half years of her beautiful life, she reigned as the undisputed queen of our home and hearts. It was during this era that she cultivated her love for swimming, tennis balls, people food of all varieties, spirited chases after her feline sister, and staking claim to every square inch of a king-sized bed. These formative years also exposed her to the perils of her mother’s excessive social media documentation, often capturing her chewing Christmas ornaments or begrudgingly donning the “cone of shame.” Through it all, Chesie maintained her regal composure, anticipating that the best was yet to come.
Her true calling emerged on November 5, 2016, when she proudly assumed the role of a big sister for the first time. Subsequently, in April 2019 and December 2021, she extended her love to two more bundles of joy, solidifying herself as the ultimate canine companion to her growing human family. With unwavering calm, Chesie welcomed her new baby humans, willingly offering her belly as a resting place for slumbering infants and standing sentinel as they dreamed. Her gentle kisses and ever-watchful presence earned her a place of honor in our lives, and we can confidently say she will never be forgotten.
By late 2017, Chesie’s role had transformed into that of a versatile living room fixture, serving as a chair, tunnel, or jungle gym with infectious enthusiasm. She grew alongside her human siblings, wholeheartedly embracing their activities, providing guidance, and exhibiting unmatched finesse when it came to snatching snacks. Among her human sisters, she found her favorite fetch partners, and her brother became the recipient of her most cherished kisses. However, despite her profound love for her family, Chesie also eagerly anticipated their vacations. One of Chesie’s greatest pleasures in life was embarking on her own adventures to the other side of town, where she was pampered like royalty. There, she’d assert her dominion over the duck pool, indulge in air conditioned couch naps, and receive more baths in a week than she would throughout the entire year.
As the years passed, Chesie gracefully transitioned into a life of leisure, swapping relentless rounds of fetch for sun-soaked deck lounging and fireside snuggles on chilly winter evenings. She became a true aficionado of belly rubs, savory bones, all-day marathon naps, and stealthy table scraps. She was, after all, the champion vacuum cleaner every toddler in a high chair dreamed of and she took that job very seriously. She was an incredibly happy dog all her life, and only in her last week did she seem to lose her zeal. She has now been called home to Dog Heaven, a place that is undoubtedly filled with balls, bones, and belly rubs.
Chesie leaves behind her adoring parents, Mandee and Matthew Lape, her sisters, Clara and Eloise, and her brother, Harrison, in addition to a multitude of friends, family, and countless unconquered bones. She was preceded in death by her feline sister, Penelope. In lieu of flowers, we invite those who wish to celebrate Chesie’s life and legacy to contribute to the Sterling Animal Shelter, for without them, our lives would never have intersected with our beloved Chesie Bear. Services and interment will remain private.
