His name is Buddy and in human years he's about 80-years-old. Sadly, old age isn't what's killing Buddy.
The senior lab-mix was recently diagnosed with cancer, but that isn't stopping volunteers with A ReJoyceful Animal Rescue from packing Buddy's last days with pleasant surprises on his bucket list
Loren Cazan, a rescue volunteer, picked up Buddy to foster him after his owner suddenly passed away recently.
"He was kind of left with nowhere to go," said Cazan who saw and felt bumps all over Buddy's body and took him to a veterinarian where he was diagnosed with the terminal illness.
Cazan says that's when the founder of A ReJoyceful Animal Rescue decided Buddy needed a bucket list of fun things for a dog to experience.
And Cazan knew she had to help Buddy check off the most important thing on his bucket list, because the last thing a dying senior dog needed to do was wait for a place to call home.
"I said you're not leaving my house and I adopted him," said Cazan.
Buddy's bucket list has included making friends at a pet store, eating a McDonald's kid's meal, going to Dairy Queen, and Friday he even became an honorary member of 7 Action News.
Rescue volunteers are inviting the public to join Buddy on his next big adventure - a trip to The Mall at Partridge Creek in Clinton Township for his first big date!
Kyla, a senior dog that is still waiting for her forever home, will be Buddy's date when rescue volunteers gather at the outdoor mall's fountain Saturday, March 26, at 1:00 pm.
Kyla's foster mom has made her a spring dress for her date and she made Buddy a matching bowtie!
The public is encouraged to join Buddy and Kyla on their "pup-date" to find out more about the rescue group and the joy of adopting senior dogs.
Marco's Pizza of Clinton Township is donating a bone-shaped pizza for the big event.
The Live Like Roo Foundation is also helping out with inspiration and items for Buddy's bucket list adventures.
Click here to find out more about A ReJoyceful Animal Rescue and you can also find them on Facebook.
As for adopting Buddy, Cazan says it's been the most rewarding thing and worth the heartbreak she's knows is coming just to see him happy.
