When Paul Heroux found out that his 10-year-old Japanese wolf dog had just months to live, he set out on a man-and-his-dog road-trip that criss-crossed North America and included a stop on Vancouver Island to visit the place where Mura was born.
Heroux and Mura have been inseparable since 2008, when the then-eight-week-old pup was transported from her Island breeder to Heroux鈥檚 home in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
鈥淚t sounds corny but we were instantly attached,鈥� he said of their first meeting. 鈥淪he paired with me immediately.鈥�
Mura would accompany her owner, who also happens to be the mayor of Attleboro, on door-to-door campaign visits, trips to seniors homes and to the state capital. She would dutifully walk by his side during parades and countless public engagements.
鈥淪he鈥檚 my family, I take her everywhere I go,鈥� Heroux said.
On Sept. 21, Mura鈥檚 spleen ruptured, causing internal bleeding which almost killed her.
She survived that night after an emergency surgery, but Heroux found out his best friend had a non-curable blood cancer, leaving her with months to live.
Heroux had been planning a trip to the Middle East, but he scrapped that in favour of a 12-day road trip that would see him cross 24 states and the Canada-U.S. border with Mura happily riding shot gun.
鈥淔or me it was a chance to spend time with my girl doing a bunch of sightseeing in the process,鈥� he said.
Between Oct. 28 and Nov. 9, Heroux documented the trip on Facebook, posting photos of Mura in front of Niagara Falls, in Yellowstone National Park, at San聽Francisco鈥檚 Golden Gate Bridge and in front of Seattle鈥檚 Space Needle.
鈥淪he doesn't know what the significance is of the Grand Canyon or Mount Rushmore, but what she does know is she got to spend all day everyday with me and that鈥檚 what she likes,鈥� Heroux said.
One photo shows Mura looking pensively over the Strait of Georgia as the pair ferried from the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island.
The trip was also a homecoming for Mura, who visited the property on central Vancouver Island where she was born. The breeder, Heroux said, was impressed by Mura鈥檚 calm and well-behaved nature. 鈥淪he was very happy with the outcome of how I聽raised my girl,鈥� he said.
Heroux shared Mura鈥檚 terminal diagnosis on his public Facebook page, and the online visual diary of his last trip with Mura has captivated people all over the world. He has been contacted by media all over the world who want to share the touching story.
Some have suggested he turn his story into a children鈥檚 book. Others got in touch to share their stories of losing a four-legged best friend.
鈥淭he reason it resonates with people, it鈥檚 a love story about me and my dog. It鈥檚 very pure, very simple and innocent. It鈥檚 just a guy who loves his dog who went on a trip.鈥�
