To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Couple Move Wedding Forward So Dog Can Attend After Cancer Diagnosis

Couple Move Wedding Forward So Dog Can Attend After Cancer Diagnosis

Estelle and Danny Harris lost their deposit, catering and some guests, but it was all worth it to have Brucie there.

Emma Rosemurgey

Emma Rosemurgey

A couple from Derbyshire moved their wedding day forward so their beloved Bullmastiff Brucie could attend after he was given just months to live.

They say your wedding day is supposed to be one of the most special days of your life but that just wasn't going to be the case for Estelle and Danny Harris if their baby Brucie wasn't able to attend.

In the ultimate act of dedication for their pooch, the couple sacrificed their deposit, catering and many guests by moving their wedding to three weeks after Brucie's diagnosis.

Estelle has had Brucie since he was eight-weeks-old.
Estelle Harris

The couple were due to be wed in May, but in December Brucie was rushed to hospital with white gums and a blue tongue - a sign of oxygen depletion.

Brucie had a pleural effusion, meaning fluid needed to be drained from around his heart and lungs if he was going to survive.

Brucie had to have a seven hour operation to remove a cancerous tumour from his chest.
Estelle Harris

While draining the five-year-old dog, vets found a cancerous lump in his chest about the size of a grapefruit. Estelle and Danny were told to say their farewells to Brucie prior to the removal operation, as it was likely he wouldn't make it through.

The surgery took seven hours and Brucie had to have several ribs taken out in the process. But while he survived the operation, he was later diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma - an extremely aggressive form of cancer. Estelle and Danny were given the heartbreaking news that Brucie would have just one to four months to live.

Brucie made it to Danny and Estelle's wedding day.
Dawid Andrzejcak

After the devastating blow, Estelle decided she couldn't get married without Brucie, who she's had since he was just eight-weeks-old, so they hastily rearranged.

The pair got married at Burton Registry Office at three weeks notice, with many guests unable to attend and Estelle's auntie and cousin stepping in to prepare finger food in lieu of catering. But Estelle said it was all worth it to have Brucie there - who most guests thought looked more handsome than Danny in their matching outfits.

Brucie lasted an hour at the evening do before he got too tired and went to bed.
Keyleigh Harrison Roome

Estelle said: "Having Brucie there with me on the day was the most important thing, hence why we changed it. I think some people think we are

"Everything I do in life revolves around him.

"I love him more than anything and every day my heart is broken because he's dying and there's nothing I can do about it, except love him and make memories.

Estelle said all the hassle of rearranging the wedding was worth it to have Brucie there.
Dawid Andrzejcak

"I think Brucie really enjoyed it the day. He came to the evening party for an hour but got too tired, so had to go home to sleep his busy day of fuss off.

"We tried our best to get Danny and Brucie matching for the day, although most people said Bruce was the most handsome."

Brucie is now two months into the one to four months vets gave him, and with the help of some dietary changes, Estelle said he is 'doing really well at the moment'.

Congratulations Estelle, Danny and Brucie.

Featured Image Credit: Dawid Andrzejcak

Topics: Dog, Life News, Real, Sex & Relationships, Dogs, Wedding