'Time is now precious' Pet owner helps dog with dementia complete his 'bucket list'
A WOMAN has helped her dog carry out his 'bucket list' before he completely loses his memory.
Mugly the dog is on adventure of a lifetime he probably won't remember
Bev Nicholson, 53, from Peterborough, Cambs, was left heartbroken after her beloved pooch, Mugly, a Chinese Crested, 12, was diagnosed with doggy dementia.
In January, Mugly, who was crowned the World's Ugliest Dog in 2012, could no longer navigate his way around the family home and instead would stare into space and get stuck in corners.
Devastated after his diagnosis in June, Ms Nicholson put together a list of experiences so Mugly's final days were filled with happy memories and adventures - including acupuncture, going sailing, sitting in a fire engine and having a day out at the beach.
The Ultimate Bucket List Tour - Adventure Travel, Tours and Holidays
Mugly always enjoyed water says his owner
Ms Nicholson has now vowed to make the most of the time they have left by ticking off as many things as they can while Mugly is still able to.
Ms Nicholson, owner of Mutts-Nutts said: "When the vet told me Mugly had dementia I was absolutely devastated.
"I've had Mugly since he was eight weeks old, I took one look at him and my heart melted.
"He's been such a great dog, it was a huge shock to the whole family.
"In January I started to notice his odd behaviour, Mugly's always been a healthy dog but all of a sudden he started staring at the walls for long periods of time and not recognising his surroundings.
The old sea dog went sailing with Mandy Powell
"I just knew something wasn't right, but I never even contemplated it could be something like dementia.
"I soon realised that time is now precious for Mugly, so I decided to make a fun lighthearted bucket list for us to complete together before the dementia completely takes hold of him."
The duo have now been able to tick off sailing, a spa treatment, reaching 5,000 followers on Facebook, spending a day at the park, designing a dementia awareness collar, sitting in a fire engine, having a day at the seaside, eating a whippy ice cream, having a massage, and acupuncture.
Ms Nicholson added: "I think his two favourite things so far have been when he went sailing and when he sat in the fire engine.
Tha handsome pooch is slowly losing the battle with dementia
"He's always loved water but he's never been on a boat so that was great, and he's always loved riding in things especially trains so it was a unique experience to see him in a fire engine.
"As Mugly has arthritis too the acupuncture, massage and thalassotherapy treatments were incredible.
"We also had the day at the beach where he relaxed on his lounger and was able to eat an ice cream which was devoured in seconds.
"We will do as much as we can now, Mugly has bad and good days when I can see his old personality shining through again, that's when we go out on our adventures.
Mugly volunteered as firefighter though no fire was in sight
"His health will always come first but it's great he's been able to complete so many already, the memories we've made over the past few months are irreplaceable."
As well as making memories, Ms Nicholson plans to continue raising awareness for dogs with dementia as well as fundraising and helping others.
Ms Nicholson said: "Mugly has always been a very loyal, calm and caring dog.
"He's spent the past six years being a therapy dog and has helped comfort so many people, anyone who meets him instantly falls in love with him.
In dog years, Mugly is 64 years old
"He wears his doggy dementia collar a lot now, people always ask questions about it so I explain his diagnosis and people are always shocked.
"All the money and treats he's ever won have all been donated too, he's had a great life."
Despite having five other rescue dogs, Ms Nicholson believes the house won't be the same without Mugly.
Maybe it's not Hawaii, but Mugly still had a lovely day at the beach
She said: "It's horrible not knowing how long he has left with us.
"His condition could deteriorate at any minute and he could forget simple things like how to eat or drink, or even who I am.
"We will keep going with the bucket list though and hopefully complete as many as we can."
The arcade games proved a bit too difficult for his paws to handle
BUCKET LIST COMPLETED
5,000 Facebook followers
Conquer a fear by spending the day in a park
Design a doggy dementia awareness collar
Ride/sit in a fire engine Have a day at the seaside
Eat a whippy ice cream
Have a massage
Have acupuncture
Have a spa treatment
Go sailing
Mugly and his caring owner, Bev
IN PROGRESS
Raise £2,500 for Cinque Ports Rescue
Visit a human dementia unit and swap hugs
Get at least 100 kisses and cuddles from people in a kissing booth
Sit on the This Morning sofa
Meet Joey Essex
Take a ride on a Harley trike
Have afternoon tea
Visit a light house
Have a party with a magic show and doggy ball pit
Be on the front cover of a magazine
To appear in a music video
Go to my human friends first birthday party
Meet the Queen's Corgis