JOHNSON COUNTY, Ind. -- A Johnson County dog diagnosed with terminal cancer is living out his last days in style, checking items off a bucket list created by the shelter that brought him in.
Howard is a senior Golden Retriever who was found as a stray at the Indianapolis Animal Care and Control back in August and was taken in by The Humane Society of Johnson County.
"We fell in love with his eyes," said Anne Sutton, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Johnson County.
After taking Howard in to get checked out because he was so thin and malnourished, they found that Howard had a fast growing tumor in his abdomen. He was given less than 12 months to live.
After finding out Howard's cancer was terminal, the team at HSJC made Howard a "bucket list" and they’ve been making the most of what time he has left.
And he’s been a very busy dog.
On Monday, The Greenwood Fire Department made Howard an honorary Greenwood K9 officer.
Complete with swearing in, his own badge and and cheers from the crowd.
And earlier this month, Howard was made an honorary fire dog at the White River Township Station 51.
Howard has also been busy with his celebrity appearances. He was the Grand Marshall for Humane Society of Johnson County at the Franklin Fall Festival parade.
While there, he also crossed another item off of his bucket list – riding in a convertible!
Although his bucket list is still in the works, Howard has been a local celebrity since the day he arrived at the shelter with people showing up to see and help raise funds for the shelter in his name.
Howard has completed four of the items on his bucket list:
- He went to Mrs. Curls for ice cream
- He became an honorary firefighter
- He was sworn in as a K9 officer
- He was the Grand Marshall of the Franklin fall Festival parade (where he got his convertible ride!)
HSJC team members have three more items on Howard's bucket list and they're asking the public for help to complete at least one of them.
"We wanted to do a fundraiser in his name," said Sutton, "to honor all those animals suffering from terminal illness."
- A meal at the Revery from their gourmet dog menu
- A canine massage
- Raise $10,000 for Howard Gives Back - a GoFundMe campaign in his honor that will help other animals like him.
They hope that the funds raised will help them to support more stories like Howard's and to help find homes and give a better life to senior dogs like him.
"The senior dogs are passed up for the puppies, and the seniors have such amazing souls that are lost on their age and possible financial burden," said Sutton. "I have tried to tell everyone about Howard's story, that really in all trueness, we are the lucky ones to be able to give so much to him."
If you'd like to donate to Howard's campaign you can visit his GoFundMe: Howard Gives Back.
Howard also enjoys visitors. if you'd like to stop by and meet him at the shelter you can call their office at (317) 535-6626 to see if he's in.
