We've made a bucket list for our dog before saying goodbye

We’ve made a bucket list for our dying three-year-old golden retriever before saying goodbye – it includes a luxury hotel stay and steak dinners

  • Holly Mitchell and Dylan Bradley’s dog Ted was given just 18 months to live
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A family have revealed why they’re trying to complete a bucket list of adventures with their dying dog before saying goodbye. 

When Holly Mitchell and Dylan Bradley, from Glasgow, noticed their beloved pet Ted’s tongue was turning blue and he was becoming breathless during their usual walks, they feared his life was on the line.

While they claim their vet didn’t seem overly concerned, the couple, aged 21 and 22, continued to monitor the golden retriever’s condition, before taking him to see a specialist.

Soon, after lots of blood tests, an endoscopy, and an invasive operation to take fluid samples, Ted was diagnosed with a lung infection – which turned out to be pulmonary fibrosis, scarring of lung tissue, where he was given 18 months to live.

Now, he’s defied all odds after outliving his life expectancy and the pet is making the most of his final days by living out the bucket list adventures.

When Holly Mitchell and Dylan Bradley (pictured with their pet), from Glasgow, noticed their beloved pet Ted’s tongue was turning blue and he was becoming breathless during their usual walks, they feared his life was on the line

When three-year-old Ted first fell ill with the symptoms in early 2021, vets said he’d only live for 18 months. 

‘I was, and still am, heartbroken that I’m not going to have all the time I imagined with him,’ Holly, a student dentist from Glasgow, said.

‘You just assume that there’ll be a guaranteed 10 or so years with a dog, so to have that cut short feels wrong and unfair. I wanted to make the most of whatever time he had left, so I came up with the idea of starting a bucket list for him.’

Holly and Dylan, who are childhood sweethearts, had longed for a golden retriever, as they seemed like the ‘happiest, most loving’ breed.

At aged 18, while struggling with her mental health, they decided to bite the bullet and find the perfect pup who could get her out of bed every day. 

In March 2020, Holly visited a breeder who said they only had one left, who was the runt of the litter that ‘no one wanted’ – and right then, she knew he was the one for them.

She said: ‘My heart was set… and I couldn’t bear to think of him being left behind, unloved. Dylan and I had decided to call him Rory, but as we set our eyes on him, we went with the name Ted, since he looked like a little teddy bear.

‘Instantly, I fell in love and while he was never a typical crazy, hyper puppy, he quickly became my fur baby.’


While they claim their vet didn’t seem overly concerned, the couple, aged 21 and 22, continued to monitor the golden retriever’s (pictured) condition, before taking him to see a specialist

Soon, after lots of blood tests, an endoscopy, and an invasive operation to take fluid samples, Ted was diagnosed with a lung infection – which turned out to be pulmonary fibrosis, scarring of lung tissue, where he was given 18 months to live

Now, he’s defied all odds after outliving his life expectancy and the pet is making the most of his final days by living out the bucket list adventures. Pictured, Holly, Ted, Dylan and Lyla

‘I was, and still am, heartbroken that I’m not going to have all the time I imagined with him,’ Holly, a student dentist from Glasgow, said. Pictured, Ted on his birthday


Holly and Dylan, who are childhood sweethearts, had longed for a golden retriever, as they seemed like the ‘happiest, most loving’ breed

Holly describes him as an ‘old soul’ who loves to be cuddled and often is found people-watching or becoming friends with owners, rather than their dogs. 

Over the years, he’s been showered with gifts on his birthdays and is treated daily with cuddles, kisses, and lots of love.

However, since his diagnosis, his health is quickly declining and now, the pup is also suffering from loss of muscle tone and extremely dry skin.

Holly and Dylan’s bucket list for Ted

DONE:

  • Go to the beach
  • Visit a castle
  • Go out for food
  • Get a puppuccino
  • Go for brunch
  • Make paw print jewellery
  • Get paw print taken
  • Feature in a magazine
  • Family photoshoot
  • Go to our local shopping centre
  • Make some art

TO DO:

  • Stay overnight at a hotel
  • Get a cheeseburger
  • Breakfast in bed
  • Have a picnic
  • Have a steak dinner
  • Go camping
  • Eat ice cream
  • Watch a sunset
  • Bake some treats
  • Feed the ducks
  • Meet farm animals
  • Name a star
  • Plant something

Although he’s not as energetic as before, they’ve ticked off many items from Ted’s bucket list, including a visit to Edinburgh Castle, a private puppy brunch with puppacinos, and two gifted photoshoots.

In a bid to share his final moments, Holly has taken to TikTok, where they now have 57,600 followers tuning into their adventures – with one clip racking up 894,000 views and 147,000 likes.

Users have flocked to the comments to share their sympathies after watching Ted’s journey.

One person said: ‘He is so precious’, while another wrote: ‘You are adorable Ted, and a good brother, so sorry about your condition.’

A third added: ‘Didn’t plan on crying today but here we are. Sending you lots of love Ted!’

Before he bids farewell, Ted has also been able to meet his owners’ daughter, Lyla, aged 10 months, who is ‘obsessed’ with the pet.

Holly added: ‘I always knew he’d be an amazing big brother, as he’s so gentle and patient with children. It melts my heart seeing them together and she’s absolutely obsessed with him. 

‘I’ve been blown away by the love and support online, but I’d take that away in a heartbeat to make Ted better.

‘I love that everyone gets to see how amazing he is though, and they clearly love him as much as I do.

‘He has good and bad days, sometimes he can manage to walk half a mile, and some days, he’d rather chill at home, but we’re taking everything at his pace.

‘But I’m devastated, as he doesn’t deserve this at all – he is the most loved and precious boy and I cried for hours when I found out his diagnosis.

‘He got me through the hardest time in my life and I couldn’t comprehend that our time together will be cut short.

‘If you’re not a dog person, you won’t understand, but he’s literally my baby and now having had an actual baby too, I can confirm the love is the same. We’ll cherish every day we have left with our special boy.’


In March 2020, Holly visited a breeder who said they only had one left, who was the runt of the litter that ‘no one wanted’ – and right then, she knew he was the one for them. Pictured left, Ted as a puppy. Pictured right, Ted after a biopsy

Holly describes Ted (pictured together) as an ‘old soul’ who loves to be cuddled and often is found people-watching or becoming friends with owners, rather than their dogs


Over the years, Ted (pictured) has been showered with gifts on his birthdays and is treated daily with cuddles, kisses, and lots of love

However, since his diagnosis, Ted’s (pictured) health is quickly declining and now, the pup is also suffering from loss of muscle tone and extremely dry skin


Although Ted (pictured left) is not as energetic as before, they’ve ticked off many items from Ted’s bucket list, including a visit to Edinburgh Castle, a private puppy brunch with puppacinos, and two gifted photoshoots

In a bid to share his final moments, Holly (pictured with her family) has taken to TikTok, where they now have 57,600 followers tuning into their adventures – with one clip racking up 894,000 views and 147,000 likes


Holly’s tattoo of Ted, pictured left. Pictured right, Ted completing part of his bucket list

Before he bids farewell, Ted (pictured left) has also been able to meet his owners’ daughter, Lyla, aged 10 months, who is ‘obsessed’ with the pet

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