When Kathy Hill, 36, from Northampton discovered her 11-year-old Cocker Spaniel Ellie was terminally ill with bladder cancer she was utterly devastated.
Ellie meant the world to Kathy and she vowed to make her last days special.
Kathy, who’s single, says: “Ellie has brought me so much happiness and I credit her for helping me through depression so I created a bucket list for Ellie of places to visit and experiences to relish.
"It included running through forests and along beaches; paddling in rivers and chasing waves at the beach. And so far we’ve had an absolute ball. I know she can’t go on forever but our memories will stay with me always.”
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In December 2013 Ellie was diagnosed with cancer and given just a year to live.
“I was completely shattered,” says Kathy. “The vet said Ellie could have chemotherapy which can help some dogs but I thought it would be traumatic for Ellie and would probably only buy us an extra couple of months.
"So, rather than put her through that, he prescribed anti-inflammatory painkillers to stop the growth of the tumour.
"I cried for days. Then I realised – Ellie didn’t know she was ill. There was no point moping about when Ellie wasn’t. She’s a dog who loves life so that’s what we’d do – get out there and enjoy every last minute of it together.
"I made a list of places I thought Ellie would love and booked a trip to Somerset for the following month.”
Kathy recalls. “She slept the whole journey on the back seat as if she was in her own private limousine and I was her chauffeur! Then, as soon as we arrived at our self-catering cottage, she woke and leapt out ready for an adventure.”
Read the rest of this story in Closer magazine, out today