People nationwide fall in love with Pasco’s honorary police dog and his final bucket list
The story of a cancer-stricken Pasco pooch is getting national attention after he became a K9 Officer for the Day and made appearances at stores and TV stations this week.
The story of Eddie and his bucket list touched hearts across the world, after CNN and other national news outlets shared the tale of the gray and white pit bull making the most of his last few months.
Not much is known about Eddie’s life before he was abandoned near Benton City in October. When a Benton County animal control officer finally caught up with him, she thought he’d been hit by a car.
A quick trip to the vet uncovered a more tragic truth. The friendly dog has an inoperable brain tumor and was given 6 to 12 months to live.
Authorities reached out to Mikey’s Chance Canine Rescue in West Richland to help Eddie, and Kristi Kesler became his foster parent. She wanted to make sure he had the best six months.
She came up with a bucket list, including visiting a pet friendly tap house, having a paint party with doggie friends and visiting a spa for a day.
But he grabbed national headlines after Pasco police made him a honorary police K9 officer, including an official swearing in by Chief Ken Roske.
They put together a special uniform and organized a tour around town.
Eddie brought Detective Julie Lee along as he visited stores across the Tri-Cities, raising donations for Mikey’s Chance and Eddie’s cause.
The stops included Nolan’s Auto Collision, Starbucks, the Richland Spudnut shop and local television stations.
“We’re glad to have Eddie with us today,” Roske said after swearing him in.
The treatment was more than Kesler dreamed of, she told KEPR. She thought he might get a picture with Eddie and an officer, or go for a car ride.
As they stopped people said Eddie was a happy dog, who shared his affection with everyone he met. Thousands of people watched the Pasco police videos.
“We are overwhelmed with the amount of support the community has shown him,” Pasco police said on their Facebook page. “Eddie was welcomed everywhere he went and shown nothing but love and affection all day.
“Finally, we want to wish Eddie all the best with his bucket list and future endeavors. It was an honor working with you today, Eddie!. We hope you had as much fun as we did,” said the post.
The local news stories quickly grabbed national attention when first HLN and then CNN learned about Eddie’s story. As it reached across the country others offered their love for the honor.
People from Lynchburg, Va., to Fargo, N.D., shared their well wishes for Eddie.
This story was originally published January 22, 2020 at 12:53 PM.