If anything, today’s story is about sending out a heartfelt message: don’t give up on your dog. I stumbled upon Sasha Marshall’s story over month ago. Sasha is a 15-year-old Labrador mix who was diagnosed with Early Cognitive Dysfunction or Doggy Dementia in the summer of 2021. She lives in the UK with her human Megan Marshall who was herself diagnosed with ADHD and autism [as shared on the Instagram page sashasbucketlist]
That Sasha was losing her zest for life, couldn’t walk for more than 10 minutes due to her rapidly depleting hind muscle tissues were becoming clear. Megan too was dealing with her own diagnosis. But she was firm about not giving up on Sasha. Instead, she decided to make every moment count for Sasha and for them.
Doggo with a bucket list
Megan decided to do whatever it takes to make Sasha comfortable. A trained veterinary nurse before moving into an admin job, Megan was made redundant a few years ago. Even at that time she didn’t give up. Instead, she started a dog walking business and ran it for four years. It was end of last year that Megan decided to temporarily stop her dog walking business to spend more time with Sasha. From walks in the forests to exploring new places, the Sasha-Megan pack is surely on a roll and ticking off items from their bucket list. Yes, you heard right, Sasha has a bucket list!
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Celebrating life despite the lows
However, not a single day is the same. Some days Sasha is active and happy. She can go for long walks in the woods with Megan. But the very next day an accident can happen. Like Sasha had shared on Instagram last year.
“Mum took me for a little plod round the block. I only managed 15 mins before I got a little wobbly, so we sat in the sunset and had some cuddles…Sometimes accidents happen…Today I am having a rest day, my old bones need a rest. I pooped in my sleep and didn’t want to wake mum up. She said it was okay though! She said bad days will happen, but we have to make the most of the good ones! It’s not all rosy all the time and that’s okay.”
While not giving up on Sasha, Megan doesn’t deny the reality of the situation either. “Her condition is degenerative, so I know this won’t last forever but here’s to enjoying every second while it lasts,” Megan had shared in an Instagram post.
