When Marley’s owner discovered she didn’t have long left with the boxer-cross, she wanted to fulfil one final wish for him.
The boxer/labrador mix loves to howl at the ice-cream van before getting his own soft-served treat - and Katie Dixon wanted to hear him sing for ice-cream just one more time.
The mum-of-two, from Staffordshire, received the heartbreaking news that Marley had cancer, and she would have to make the decision to put him to sleep in the coming weeks.
Marley had been by her side for eight years - from sleeping on a friend's sofa, to helping her through difficult times.
Katie said: “Marley was born on July 24, 2013. I didn't want a dog initially as I was living with two friends at the time, sleeping on their sofa.
“But I went to see my other friend and her dogs had just had puppies. All the other pups came running over to me straight away but Marley sat up in his bed yawned and fell out of the bed, he strolled over to me slowly and lay down on my feet. I just knew from that moment that I had to have him.”
The 27-year-old credited her ‘boxador’ for helping her through challenging times.
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She added: “Marley has been my strength when I didn't even have any. He is the best present I've ever had. He’s been through all my difficult times with me and he’s truly my best friend.
“It might sound silly but I've told that pooch things that I'll take to my grave. He’s as loyal as they come. I'm going to be so lost without him.”
Last month, Katie noticed a lump in Marley’s mouth and rushed him to the vets where they treated him for an abscess.
But after two weeks, the eight-year-old dog was no better, and returned to the practice where Katie was told her dog had a tumour.
He underwent an operation to remove as much as they could, but 12 days later, the fast-growing tumour had returned.
Katie added: “He hasn't been himself since Saturday - he’s really lethargic and not wanting to eat or drink. I took him back to the vets again and they said the tumour is already back and there's nothing more that can be done for him.
“The tumour is fast growing and seems to be taking its toll quickly. I'll have to make a decision soon as he's in pain and chewing his fur off his tail.”
One of Katie’s favourite things about Marley is how he howls at the jingle of an ice cream van, and she took to Facebook to see if anyone would be able to drive by their home to give him one last cone.
Staffordshire ice cream man Jeff Condliffe took the time to go off-route to visit Marley and give him a special treat.
In an emotional video, Marley hears the tune to the van and puts his paws on his garden gate to give out a melodic howl.
Katie leads him over to the van where Marley puts his paws up to the counter to take an ice cream from Jeff.
The boxador enjoyed not one, but four ice-cream cones surrounded by family and friends who were holding back tears.
Katie said: “Thank you so much to Jeff for letting me hear that howl one last time and thank you for making my pooch a very happy boy. Marl enjoyed it with a few family and friends there to watch him. I'll be forever grateful.”
