Wish 1: His owner took him back to the first place they visited when he was a puppy. Cooke was devastated when she first learned the bad news from the veterinarian, but she did not want Romeo's final days to be bleak. To help herself cope with the sadness, she arranged various activities for him.
Wish 2: Have breakfast in bed with his male owner. She wanted to make the last part of his journey incredibly special, creating perfect memories before he departed.
Wish 3: Drink his first beer with his male owner at a bar.
Wish 4: Meet a celebrity. He met Bif Naked, a legendary musician who overcame an aortic aneurysm and breast cancer.
Wish 5: Watch a sunset. The list included everyday activities like "having breakfast in bed with Dad" and "watching a sunset," as well as wonderful experiences like "meeting a celebrity," "having a great birthday party," "volunteering at a pet rescue," "going on a date," "getting a manicure," and even some adventurous wishes like "driving a fire truck," "driving a police car," and "going to the United States," all carefully arranged by his owner with loving details.
Wish 7: Drive a fire truck. His male owner, a former fire chief, helped Romeo fulfill the wish of "driving a fire truck." Romeo loved the sound of the siren and would get excited every time it rang.
Wish 8: Drive a police car. Romeo looked very impressive sitting in the police car.
Wish 9: Spend quality time with family.
Wish 10: Have an amazing birthday party. On February 27, 2014, many people gathered with their dogs to celebrate his 9th birthday.
Wearing a birthday hat, Romeo happily ate cake. He had been on a strict diet during his healthy days, but now, as long as he was happy, his owner was willing to let him try anything.
Wish 11: Do something for the animal rescue. He donated the funds raised on his birthday to the animal rescue.
Wish 12: Eat a McDonald's cheeseburger.
Wish 13: Celebrate the New Year in style. Wearing sunglasses and a crown, Romeo had a sign around his neck that read: "I did it! Happy New Year!"
Wish 14: Enjoy a dog ice cream. He shared dog ice cream with his friend Titan.
Wish 15: Have a steak dinner. In his favorite park, he enjoyed steak from the famous Canadian steakhouse The Keg on a candlelit lawn, dressed quite gentlemanly.
Wish 16: Enjoy a full-body massage. A professional masseuse gave him a massage.
Wish 17: Get a manicure. Cooke shared Romeo's story on Facebook, and more and more people learned about him and his wish list, actively helping him fulfill various wishes. He even had a dedicated page where pet owners who were losing or had lost their beloved pets could connect and comfort each other.
Wish 18: Go on a date! His date was another dog also suffering from cancer.
Wish 19: Have some sushi. His owner dressed him in a kimono to match the sushi feast.
Wish 20: Find a partner. Romeo dressed up for Valentine's Day.
Wish 21: Have a bunch of dog treats. On his birthday, he received many toys and treats.
Wish 22: Go to the United States! His owner took him to the United States, and the sign around his neck read: "I am in the United States! My final adventure."
When he was first diagnosed, the sign around his neck read: "Screw you, cancer! The cancer cells are now in my bones. Why me?" But he lived a fulfilling life for four months under care. Until March 16, 2014, his owner had to let the doctor perform euthanasia on him—his suffering was too great.
"I had to let him go. We shared so many happy memories together, but the pain from bone cancer was unbearable for him, and it was unfair to make him endure it just to keep him alive."
His photos and the balls he played with are displayed in the living room. His owner opened a Facebook page for pet owners with similar experiences to share their pets' wish lists, "to help them, just as they helped me and Romeo."
