Guy Takes His Dying Dog On 12,000 Mile 'Bucket List' Road Trip Across The United States
They say that dogs are a man's best friend and if that's the case then it's no wonder you'd go the extra mile and do anything for them if they fell seriously ill. It goes without saying really.
So when Thomas Neil Rodriguez's pet dog Poh was given a terminal diagnosis, he decided to take his mixed breed pooch on a road trip across the country and give him an epic adventure he'd remember for ever for the time he had left before he shuffled off this mortal coil.
Rodriquez adopted 15-year-old Poh back in 1999 from an animal shelter, but the dog recently developed large inoperable tumors in his abdomen and was told he probably hasn't got long left to live.
So Poh, Rodriguez, and Rodriguez's fiancee decided to undertake the classic American road trip, embarking on a seven week adventure from New York City, where they live, traveling 12,000 miles and visiting 35 cities. Along the way seeing the sites and even stopping off at Walter White's house in New Mexico and The Goonies house in Oregon.
"He loved it, it was so healing for him." Rodriguez told ABC News. "It was like he was five years younger. He was walking with a lot of energy." It seems to have done him some good anyway, because three months after the grim diagnosis Poh is still alive.
Whether the dog had any idea that all of this was being laid on for him, or was just grateful that his owner's were taking him on a fantastic vacation is not really the point (can't help being slightly cynical and thinking that, sorry).
What is important is that they all got to share the amazing adventure together.
Poh unfortunately passed away last month after a happy life and a final fantastic adventure.
R.I.P Buddy - Oct 1,1999 - Feb 12, 2016
Rodriguez documented the trip on Instagram under the account @pohthedogsbigadventure.
Hi everyone, my name is #pohthedog. I look like a pup but I'm 15 years old, 105 in dog years, and although I am young at heart and my mind is willing, my body is going through the natural process of old age. My parents found out that I have a couple of very large tumors growing in my abdomen which are inoperable. So my dad @djneilarmstrong decided to give me a bucket list trip across the good old US of A... travelling from #nyc all the way to the west coast, from sea to shining sea. I always wanted to take a dip in the Pacific Ocean, so dad and @goumada are going to bring me all the way, escaping this cold weather so I can get my paws wet and get a nice tan. We are going to go South to North Carolina, Texas, Arizona... All the way up the west coast to Seattle and back. This will be just like pee wee Herman's trip without the bicycle - #pohthedogsbigadventure. I hope you'll follow my journey through my pictures here... Can't wait to get out of this East coast snow! Oh, and if you want to see what my parents are doing when they leave me in the car, follow them at @djneilarmstrong and @goumada. #dog #cute #dogs_of_instagram #pet #animals #petstagram #petsagram #photooftheday #dogsofinstagram #ilovemydog #instagramdogs #nature #dogstagram #dogoftheday #lovedogs #lovepuppies #hound #adorable #instapuppy #instadog
Another great place to take a nap. Overlooking Golden Gate Bridge. San Francisco it's been great. off to Seattle and Portland. #dinnerandamixtape #pohthedogsbigadventure
So cool Seattle space needle! I wonder if they'll let me go to the top so I can enjoy the view and have some Starbucks. #pohthedogsbigadventure #dog #cute #dogs_of_instagram #pet #animals #petstagram #petsagram #photooftheday #dogsofinstagram #ilovemydog #instagramdogs #nature #dogstagram #dogoftheday #lovedogs #lovepuppies #hound #adorable #instapuppy #instadog
I'm in our nation's capital, the Washington monument shining behind me. Our last stop on #pohthedogsbigadventure All you dog lovers, you should bring your pets here too. The national mall is dog friendly.
Hitting bourbon street! I hope I remember everything in the morning!! #neworleans #pohthedogsbigadventure
Empire state! #pohthedogsbigadventure in #nyc
Another #atlanta landmark. The Fox theatre. #pohthedogsbigadventure across the USA. Almost back to #nyc #dog #puppy #pup #cute #eyes #instagood #dogs_of_instagram #pet #pets #animal #animals #petstagram #petsagram #dogsitting #dogsofinstagram #ilovemydog #instagramdogs #nature #dogstagram #dogoftheday #lovedogs #lovepuppies #hound #adorable #doglover #instapuppy #instadog
Monday night lights. #pohthedogsbigadventure in #vegas
I made it to San Antonio and I'm at the Alamo... But they just told me there is no basement :( they tricked me and peewee Herman :( #pohthedogsbigadventure is heading to Austin tonite. Cheer me up, tell me the best dog park with a lake /river so I can go swimming on sunday :) #dog #puppy #pup #cute #eyes #instagood #dogs_of_instagram #pet #pets #animal #animals #petstagram #petsagram #dogsitting #photooftheday #dogsofinstagram #ilovemydog #instagramdogs #nature #dogstagram #dogoftheday #lovedogs #lovepuppies #hound #adorable #doglover #instapuppy #instadog
I'm gonna Park right here. #pohthedogsbigadventure #aliens #dog #cute #dogs_of_instagram #pet #animals #petstagram #petsagram #photooftheday #dogsofinstagram #ilovemydog #instagramdogs #nature #dogstagram #dogoftheday #lovedogs #lovepuppies #hound #adorable #instapuppy #instadog
Hollywood swingin! I'm back in LA! #pohthedogsbigadventure rolls on. Don't worry everybody I'm OK now. Hope to see you later tonight!
Watching a California sunset for the first time with @djneilarmstrong & @goumada. What a great day. #pohthedogsbigadventure
You could say it's a very sweet thing to do for a dying animal. Or you could say it's a great excuse to go on that cross-country road trip you've been dreaming of since high school.