In a very heartwarming tale of doggie love, a mayor from Massachusetts recently went on a 12-day road trip across 24 states with his terminally-ill dog. Paul Heroux, mayor of Attleboro, took to the road with ten-year-old Japanese wolf dog, Mura, at the end of October, when he learned that she had an aggressive form of blood cancer and only months left to live.
The mayor of Attleboro took his dog Mura on a road trip. Image: Paul Heroux
Paul had no hesitation in cancelling his planned vacation to the Middle East to make memories with his best buddy. They travelled 8500 miles together, and he wanted to make the trip to repay Mura for the unconditional love he has received from her. “Mura is my family and the most precious thing in the world to me,” he tells Lonely Planet. “She has campaigned with me and goes to work with me and has been with me through the best and worst times in my life.”
Mayor Paul Heroux took his dog on a road trip. Image: Paul Heroux
The animal advocate wanted to take his beloved canine to meet her breeder in British Columbia, Canada, and also to visit his alma mater, the University of South California. They also stopped at Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore, the Golden Gate Bridge, Hollywood and Yellowstone National Park, and took plenty of selfies and videos along the way.
The mayor of Attleboro with his dog Mura. Image: Paul Heroux
While they visited amazing places, Paul says that spending time with Mura was the best aspect of the trip. “Visiting her breeder was great as was visiting friends, and everything else was sightseeing,” he says. “Other people who have gone through the same situation of losing their dog to cancer told me to give her the best few months of her life, and I took that advice to heart.”
The mayor of Attleboro with his dog Mura on their road trip. Image: Paul Heroux
While Paul shared stories from their big adventure on Facebook, he was surprised at the reaction to the trip. “I went for a ride with my dog,” he laughs, adding that he hopes to write a children’s book about her adventures.”What’s the big deal?”
Paul and Mara in San Francisco. Image: Paul Heroux
You can follow Paul and Mura’s adventures on Facebook here.
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