Couple Move Their Wedding Forward By Months So Their Terminally Ill Dog Can Be There

I’d like to start with a warning to all my fellow dog lovers out there – there’s a good chance that you will be an emotional wreck by the end of this story.

A couple from the UK moved their wedding forward by three months, for the most amazing reason – so that their terminally ill dog could attend.

34-year-old Estelle Harris and now husband 32-year-old Danny Harris, from Derbyshire, were heartbroken when their beloved bull mastiff Bruce was given just months to live. Bruce was rushed to hospital at the start of December with white gums and a blue tongue, with her owners fearing the worst. Estelle was absolutely distraught at the thought of losing Bruce, who she had owned since he was 8 weeks old.

Bruce was diagnosed with pleural effusion, with fluid surrounding his lungs and heart. Being told the situation was critical, vets drained the liquid immediately before sending Bruce for more scans.

Later that month, Estelle and Danny were given the news that they had been dreading – Bruce had cancer.

In a heartbreaking conversation with the vets, Estelle said that they were asked to say goodbye to Bruce, in case he didn’t make it through the major operation to remove the lump.

Bruce is a little trooper, and survived the operation, but vets still only gave him up to four months to live.

“I was told to say bye to him over the weekend as he may not make it through the major operation. Monday came and he made it through the seven hour operation and had to have some ribs removed due to the cancer mass which was the size of a grapefruit.”

“We brought him home on Thursday as he had to stay in for the draining of the area with tubes in him. We got the results around a week and half later. I remember it well. I fell to the floor as it was hemangiosarcoma, the worst cancer he could possibly have.”

“This cancer is aggressive and fast and even with chemo he would only have six months the vet said. My whole world is falling apart knowing that he’s dying and there’s nothing I can do about it.”

Although Estelle is trying everything she can to prolong Bruce’s life, including research cancer fighting foods, she had to face the harsh reality it was unlikely he would be around for her wedding on May 4th.

Having Bruce there at the wedding was so important to Estelle that she decided to do what needed to be done in order to make it happen. Estelle and Danny, decided they had to move the date forward, so hastily rearranged for a February wedding, with only three weeks’ notice.

Getting married at Burton’s registry office, they sacrificed their original deposit, caterers and several guests who couldn’t attend the new date – all for the sake of their beloved Bruce.

Estelle said it was all worth it though, saying it was a case of ‘either change the date or not get married at all’.

Bruce is like a child to Estelle, who added:

“Bruce is so funny and very much a mummy’s boy. Danny has two children, I have none. Bruce is my child, a four-legged one but still love him as much as a human child. He’s my world and nothing will ever come close to me and Bruce.”

A beautiful summation of the love between dog and owner. These bonds really are special.

“It was important to have him in my photos,” she said. Our families totally understood as they are all dog lovers and know how much Bruce means to us.”

I do everything with Bruce, my whole life revolves around. I feel I have nothing to live for once he’s gone. Obviously I have a husband, two beautiful step-children…but Bruce is so important to me… he’s my life.”

As you can see from these pictures, Bruce looked very dapper on the big day, thanks to Estelle’s mum who made Bruce his very own tailored waistcoat at the last minute.

It’s such an amazing thing that they did for Bruce, and it’s a gesture that I’m sure you animal lovers out there will appreciate.

Bruce is currently two months into the four that vets predicted for him, but Estelle described him as doing ‘really well’. Each year the couple take him away on holiday to Cornwall, and the couple are hopeful that they will be able to do that again this year.

We hope so, too. God bless Bruce and his loving human family.

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