Hundreds join owner of terminally-ill Cocker Spaniel for final walk
Marley’s last walkies: Hundreds join heartbroken owner of cancer-stricken Cocker Spaniel for his final trip to the park after he is given just weeks to live
- Cocker Spaniel Marley has haemangiosarcoma, a very aggressive form of cancer
- Aged just seven, he has only weeks to live after treatment failed to stop cancer
- His owner Ashleigh Murray organised his final walk in Belfast, Northern Ireland
- To her shock, 350 people turned up, bringing around 400 dogs along with them
A terminally-ill Cocker Spaniel, aged just seven, was joined by hundreds of well-wishers on his final walk.
Marley, a black Cocker Spaniel, has only weeks left to live after his haemangiosarcoma, a very aggressive form of cancer, failed to react to treatment.
His heartbroken owner, Ashleigh Murray, wanted to give her beloved companion a walk to remember and organised the event ‘Marley’s Big Walk’ on Facebook.
To her surprise and delight, more than 350 people responded, bringing around 400 dogs to Crawfordsburn Country Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The park is one of Marley’s favourites and was one of the first he ever walked in.
Marley, a Cocker Spaniel, is just seven years old but has an aggressive form of cancer that didn’t respond to treatment
His heartbroken owner Ashleigh Murray revealed Marley only has weeks to live and organised a final walk for him
Ms Murray was stunned by the outpouring of support.
She said: ‘Never in our wildest puppy dog dreams did we ever think this amount of people would show up for a normal girl and her little doggy.
‘Thank you all so much to everyone that showed our pup the best day a dog could of asked for!’
Although paying tribute to her beloved Marley, she was also able to raise money for the Dog’s Trust.
She said: ‘Not only did you guys donate your time but you all donated quite a lot of money. We are gobsmacked.
‘I haven’t done the total count yet, only a quick one, and at the moment we are sitting at a whopping £460.
To her surprise, close to 350 people turned up to the walk, bringing around 400 dogs along
Ms Murray said: ‘Never in our wildest puppy dog dreams did we ever think this amount of people would show up for a normal girl and her little doggy’
Although paying tribute to her beloved Marley, she was also able to raise money for the Dog’s Trust
‘The Dog’s Trust are going to be over the moon at such a large amount, they will be able to do so much good out of all this sadness.
‘I’ll be sure to make sure each dog gets a treat out of the donations.’
Several local businesses also donated treats for the dogs, and pizzas for the humans.
Though a success, it was a bittersweet experience for Ms Murray, who said she is losing her best friend and wanted to give him a final walk to remember.
Ms Murray added that Marley has been with her through the loss of a baby, the death of her father, the breakdown of a 10-year relationship and her struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder.
She wrote on Facebook: ‘Someone once said to me that Marley was my owner in a past life and now I’m his.
‘I honestly believe this, I have never seen a person and their dog have such a connection like we do, he really is my soul dog.’
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