Londoner Promised His Dying Dog That He Would Take Him Up His Favorite Welsh Mountain One Last Time.

 Londoner Carlos Fresco, a hotelier in Bayswater, West London, knew that Monty, his 10-year-old labradoodle, was losing the battle with leukaemia.

“I knew Monty was dying as his cancer had returned.

He was diagnosed 18 months ago and responded very well to chemotherapy.

But unfortunately his leukaemia returned eight weeks ago and he declined very rapidly.”

And one night in bed, they had a chat.

And Carlos promised Monty that they would climb the highest peak together of Monty’s favorite hiking spot, Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons in South Wales, about 200 miles away.

And because of the many happy memories he and Monty shared there.

“Monty has always been at my side.

We have climbed all over the country and Monty has summited the three peaks and was always up for adventure.”

Monty was at this stage unable to climb the 2,900ft peak unaided, so Carlos had to improvise.

“I stumbled across a rusty old wheelbarrow which I decided to dust off and oil up.

The next day I put Monty in it on top of a load of blankets and started wheeling him to the top of Pen y Fan.”

“He loved it and the reaction he got from other walkers was amazing.

“They all took turns in helping to push the barrow, and Monty really enjoyed that because he’d always adored people and being made a fuss of.

“I was bowled over by the kindness we were shown, to be honest – total strangers taking the time out to say ‘hello’ and lend a hand in getting him to the summit.”

“He loved hill walks and we improvised and took him on trips around your wonderful beacons. Although he was weak he enjoyed all the fuss and attention received by so many well wishers. People on the hills were so kind and equally so sad at his deteriorating condition. In fact total strangers asked if they could share in pushing Monty on his last journey, many total strangers shed a tear as we all love dearly our little four-legged friends.”

“I would like very much to thank them all for their support, encouragement and genuine concern over Monty.

That little guy touched so many lives.

He made everyone he came into contact with smile and just take a moment to reflect how sometimes life’s not that bad.

Our little companions are never judgemental, are always there waiting for you and offer comfort when things haven’t gone well.”

“He hung on until the morning after Father’s Day .

I peered over the mattress and he’d gone.

He looked so peaceful though and I’m glad we got to go on one last adventure together.

I would like to thank all the wonderful people that we met in Brecon and on the hills for their true kindness and genuine sympathy.”

“He was a lovely little lad.

He was truly a special boy.

God bless and goodnight little fella.”

I remember the night Jimmy Stewart wept, remembering Beau.

*With love and remembrance of Nikki, the light of  Laurel’s eyes. www.dailykos.com/…

This is a Creative Commons article. The original version of this article appeared here.