Bucket list joy for poorly Shropshire dog Ralph - watch the video
He's been through a McDonald's drive-thru for his favourite burger, swam in the sea and had his own portrait painted – and now boxer dog Ralph has even been in a fire engine.
The four-year-old pooch may just have a few weeks to live after his owners were told he had a cancerous tumour four months ago.
But they decided to create a poignant bucket list for their terminally ill pet to bring some happiness to his dying days.
On Saturday, Ralph, who lives with his owners in Wellington, Telford, ticked another item off his list when he visited Wellington Fire Station and sat in a fire engine.
Stephanie Malia owns Ralph along with her parents Julie, 56, and Edd Malia, 47, who are licensees of the The Wickets Inn in Wellington.
The 24-year-old said he "just loves" fire engines and really enjoyed the experience.
She said: "We got Ralph last year from a rescue centre. We fell in love with him.
"It was four months ago when we found out he had a tumour.
"We thought it was a little wart on his leg. It started to grow. We took him to the vet to find out it was a tumour.
"We got him back in for surgery. He had the tumour removed from his leg but it had spread, it was quite an aggressive one.
"He was given four to six months to live. We were devastated.
"We decided we would try to keep him as happy as possible and started this bucket list."
There are about 50 different items to tick off on his bucket list and Ralph has already done about 10 of them.
Among those he has completed include swimming in the sea in Barmouth, Wales, getting pampered at a doggy salon and learning a new trick.
Stephanie, who also works at The Wickets Inn, said: "He can do high-fives with both paws."
He also enjoyed pizza on the beach and a night in a hotel in Llandudno, and has had his portrait painted by a Russian artist.
Speaking about his latest experience at Wellington fire station, Stephanie said: "He got to sit in the driver's seat of the fire engine. He was a little bit shy but the firefighters were really good with him. I would like to thank them."
White watch Manager John Pritchard said they were more than happy to help.
Still on his to-do list is playing in the snow and riding in a police car.
Ralph also hopes to wear a Christmas jumper to celebrate the festive season and star in a calendar for 2017.
Stephanie said: "He's honestly the happiest little thing you will meet. He couldn't be more loved."
