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Couple Bring Forward Wedding So Dog Can Attend Following Cancer Diagnosis

Couple Bring Forward Wedding So Dog Can Attend Following Cancer Diagnosis

Their beloved Bruce was given months to live, so the couple rearranged the wedding to three weeks after the diagnosis so he could be there

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

Your wedding day is supposed to be the most special day of your life. But for one couple, a cloud was cast over the big day after their beloved dog was given only months to live, meaning he wouldn't be around to see them tie the knot.

Unwilling to accept this, they hastily rearranged the wedding to three weeks later - sacrificing a deposit, catering and many guests in the process.

Estelle Harris, 34, has had Bullmastiff Brucie since he was a puppy and she describes him as her 'kid with four legs' who she loves 'more than anything'. Indeed, she has known him longer than her now husband, Danny Harris, 32.

Estelle has had Brucie since he was eight-weeks-old.
Estelle Harris

The couple - from Derbyshire, UK - were due to be wed in May, but in December Brucie was rushed to hospital with white gums and a blue tongue - a sign of oxygen depletion.

Brucie had a pleural effusion, meaning fluid needed to be drained from around his heart and lungs if he was going to survive.

While draining the five-year-old dog, vets found a cancerous lump in his chest about the size of a grapefruit. Estelle and Danny were told to say their farewells to Brucie prior to the removal operation, as it was likely he wouldn't make it through.

Brucie had to have a seven hour operation to remove a cancerous tumour from his chest.
Estelle Harris

The surgery took seven hours and Brucie had to have several ribs taken out in the process. But while he survived the operation, he was later diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma - an extremely aggressive form of cancer. Brucie was given one to four months to live.

Estelle could not abide getting married in May without Brucie, and so the couple hastily rearranged the ceremony.

The pair got married at Burton Registry Office at three weeks notice, with many guests unable to attend and Estelle's auntie and cousin stepping in to prepare finger food in lieu of catering. But Estelle said it was all worth it to have Brucie there - who most guests thought looked more handsome than Danny in their matching outfits.

Brucie made it to Danny and Estelle's wedding day.
Dawid Andrzejcak

Estelle said: "Having Brucie there with me on the day was the most important thing, hence why we changed it. I think some people think we are nuts for changing it, as some people see him as just a dog, but to me he's a lot, lot more.

"Everything I do in life revolves around him.

"I love him more than anything and every day my heart is broken because he's dying and there's nothing I can do about it, except love him and make memories.

Brucie lasted an hour at the evening do before he got too tired and went to bed.
Dawid Andrzejcak

"I think Brucie really enjoyed it the day. He came to the evening party for an hour but got too tired, so had to go home to sleep his busy day of fuss off.

"We tried our best to get Danny and Brucie matching for the day, although most people said Bruce was the most handsome."

Brucie is now two months into the one to four months vets gave him, and with the help of some dietary changes, Estelle said he is 'doing really well at the moment'.

Estelle said all the hassle of rearranging the wedding was worth it to have Brucie there.
Dawid Andrzejcak

Congratulations to Estelle and Danny - and of course, Brucie.

Featured Image Credit: Dawid Andrzejcak

Topics: UK News, Community, Animals