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Terminally Ill Dog Completes Epic Bucket List After Being Rescued From Traumatic Past

Terminally Ill Dog Completes Epic Bucket List After Being Rescued From Traumatic Past

A wheelchair-bound dog is completing an epic bucket list before she dies.

Rachael Grealish

Rachael Grealish

She's been a radio DJ, played the part of police K-9 and even enjoyed a walk on the beach... yep, that's right, this wheelchair-bound dog is completing her epic 'barket' list before she dies.

Victoria, an 11-year-old German Shepherd, spent a decade of her life used as a breeding machine - and over the past year has been suffering from a disease known as Degenerative Myelopathy, which led her body into decline.

Over 10 years, she gave birth to 18 litters - that's 100 to 200 puppies - in a puppy mill, but once she was exhausted and no longer useful for breeding, she was rescued by Finding Shelter Animal Rescue in October 2017.

When she was young she was attacked by another dog. However, the wound was never treated, which led to her losing vision in her left eye.

SWNS

The charity co-founder, Grace Kelly Herbert, said Victoria now relies on a harness attached to a set of wheels because of the disease.

Despite the pooch's declining health, Grace and her husband Steve, both 44, are determined to give Victoria the best last days of her life.

The couple, of Norristown in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA, created an epic bucket list for for the dog to complete and create joyous times for her.

Victoria has now been police K-9 for a day, led a parade with the local fire department and taken her for runs on the beach.

One of her most memorable days is when Victoria took on the job of doggo DJ at a local radio station.

Grace said: "The DJ played a game where he put cookies over the names of each song.

"Whichever cookie Victoria ate first, that was the song that was chosen to play."

SWNS

But due to the rapid deterioration of her condition, she can't complete any difficult tasks - but it doesn't sound like she's doing too badly.

Grace said: "Terminally-ill dogs like Victoria are worth saving. They still have life left in them.

"She is a wonderful dog. She is so loyal and friendly, and she has a lot of love to give.

"If we're lucky, she'll last until the end of the year. Every day is a gift with her.

"I said to my husband, 'Imagine all of the things she could have done in the past ten years if she had have been a dog that was free.'

"She's stronger and happier than ever before. Its about turning something negative into a positive."

Along with completing her bucket list, Victoria is taking part in a study with Cornell University, looking into the effects of Degenerative Myelopathy in dogs - in the hope that it can be treated better in the future.

Grace added: "Victoria is one of the key dogs in the study.

"Because of the bucket list, her very broken body is giving back."

Follow Victoria's journey or donate to Finding Shelter Animal Rescue here.

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: Inspirational, Community, Animals