‘Lick It List’ Service Dog Crosses Rainbow Bridge

‘Lick-It List’ Service Dog Crosses Rainbow Bridge

Bingo, the 14-year-old Jack Russell Terrier who was a service dog for 11-year-old Cole Hein of Manitoba, Canada, crossed the Rainbow Bridge yesterday.

Bingo had saved Hein’s life countless times during the seven years they were together. She would bark whenever the boy, who suffers from an undiagnosed disorder, stopped breathing.

Two years ago, Bingo was inducted into the Purina Animal Hall of Fame as Service Dog of the Year for her heroic efforts.

When Bingo was diagnosed with terminal canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome – which is similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans – last month and given only a few weeks to live, Hein created a “lick-it list” for his companion, similar to a bucket list for people, that attracted worldwide attention.

Before she died, all of the items on Bingo’s lick-it list had been crossed off:

1. To receive dog treats from wherever people live so Bingo could “taste” the world.

2. To go for one last “public” outing to Ruckers, a local family fun center.

3. To walk around the block twice with Hein.

4. A photo shoot with Bingo and Hein.

CTV News reports that Bingo’s seizures worsened during the past week, so the family made the difficult decision yesterday to have her euthanized.

“Bingo will ask God if He could help the dogs on Earth … get good homes with loving new moms and dads and children who will love them as much as I love Bingo,” Hein said in a statement after saying a final goodbye to his dog, according to the Winnipeg Free Press.

To make a donation to the Bingo Hein Legacy Fund, created by the Cesar Millan Foundation to help rescue, rehabilitate and re-home abused and abandoned dogs, click here. You can also send a check to the fund in care of the Cesar Millan Foundation, 10844 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601.

PHOTO: Cesar Millan Foundation’s Facebook page

Laura Goldman

Laura Goldman is senior social media writer for i Love Dogs, Inc. She does love dogs. And elephants and turtles. Along with writing about the loves of her life, Laura likes to play with her two pound pups and tell anyone who’ll listen just how awesome Pit Bulls are.