Two years later and he’s still going strong!
When Edward was brought to a Maryland shelter as a stray, it was obvious he needed more care than most dogs. He struggled to walk, moved unsteadily and dragged his back legs behind him.
Adopt A Homeless Animal Rescue soon took him in and began searching for a foster family who could give him the comfort and attention he needed.
Lindsay B. and her family had fostered dogs for the rescue before. Their previous foster had just been adopted, and they were still grieving the loss of their beloved dog a few months earlier. They weren’t ready to adopt again, but they still wanted to help — especially when it came to senior dogs.
After meeting Edward with their two young children, the family agreed to foster him and brought him home.
At the vet, they received heartbreaking news. Edward had several medical problems, and doctors believed he might have only six to 12 months left to live.
Rather than give up on him, Lindsay and her family decided to make every remaining day as happy as possible. They welcomed Edward as a fospice dog and focused on keeping him comfortable with supplements, laser treatments and acupuncture.
The children even made Edward a bucket list so they could fill his life with special memories.
Edward quickly settled into his new home and enjoyed being part of the family. But one thing made him happier than almost anything else: ice cream.
When a Mister Softee truck began visiting the neighborhood, the family bought Edward a pup cup. He loved it immediately.
Soon, Edward learned to recognize the sound of the ice cream truck. Whenever he heard the music coming down the street, he would get excited and wobble as fast as he could to the curb to wait for his treat.
Now, the driver knows Edward and has a pup cup ready for him twice a week.
For Edward, those walks to the ice cream truck are the highlight of his week. His family says it is the fastest and farthest he will walk at one time, as if the promise of ice cream gives him a burst of energy.
Edward was once expected to live less than a year. But more than two years later, he is still enjoying life.
He may be slower now, but his spirit is full of joy. He loves resting outside under his favorite tree, going wherever his family goes, meeting new people and dogs, and waiting for his favorite frozen treat.
A year after bringing him home as a fospice foster, Lindsay and her family officially adopted Edward.
They don’t know how much time they still have with him, but they plan to spend every day making sure he feels loved, safe and spoiled — with plenty of ice cream along the way.