Lindsay B. and her family, who were experienced in rescuing animals, immediately agreed to take Edward in as a hospice foster. Still grieving the recent loss of their own dog, they wanted to give this old, broken dog the best final months they possibly could.
To ease his pain, the family put a comprehensive plan in place, including supplements, laser therapy, and acupuncture. The children even wrote a bucket list of things to do with him before he passed away. But amidst all this care, it was an ice cream van that would change Edward's life forever.
The magical ice cream van ritual
One day, the famous Mister Softee ice cream van started doing its rounds in the neighbourhood. The family decided to treat Edward to a 'doggy ice cream' (a small cup of suitable ice cream). For Edward, it was love at first taste.
Edward quickly memorised the van's jingle. "As soon as he hears the jingle, he knows exactly what it means," Lindsay told The Dodo. "He gets so excited that he trots as fast as he can to the pavement to wait for his ice cream... Now, the driver has his little cup ready at the window for Edward twice a week."
The secret to eternal youth
Against all odds, this twice-weekly treat has acted like a true elixir of youth. The six-month prognosis is now a distant memory: Edward has been with them for over two years! While he's naturally slowing down physically, his spirit has never been younger.
The walk to the van is when Edward uses the most energy and walks the furthest in one go. "Apparently, the secret to reversing the ageing process is ice cream," his owner jokes. Witnessing this miracle, the family officially adopted Edward a year after he arrived. They don't know how much time he has left, but one thing is for sure: his belly will always be full of happiness and vanilla ice cream.