Little Joe, the terminally ill beagle, gets a bucket list
Kathryne and Essam Shomali adopted Little Joe from a shelter in Dallas, Pa., in 2012, thinking they would enjoy several years with him. But earlier this year, LJ was diagnosed with a form of cancer called adenocarcinoma, and the Shomalis were told he may only have six to 12 months to live. The couple, who live in the Rodgers Forge neighborhood of Towson, then decided to make a bucket list for LJ to create some fond memories with him before he passes.
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- Essam Shomali pets his dog Little Joe in a park by their house in the Rodgers Forge neighborhood of Towson on Thursday, May 22, 2014. Little Joe has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and his owners, Essam and Kathryne Shomali, have compiled a “bucket list” for him. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
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- Kathryne Shomali, right, introduces her dog Little Joe to Eba Lopez, who is an employee at Uncle Wiggly’s ice cream shop in Towson on Sunday, June 1, 2014. Eating an ice cream cone is one of the items on Little Joe’s bucket list. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
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- Little Joe eats a vanilla ice cream cone out of the hand of his owner, Kathryne Shomali, at Uncle Wiggly’s in Towson on Sunday, June 1, 2014. To eat the ice cream cone is one of the items on Little Joe’s bucket list, which was compiled by Kathryne Shomali when she found out that he had terminal cancer. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
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- Little Joe eats a vanilla ice cream cone out of the hand of his owner, Kathryne Shomali, at Uncle Wiggly’s in Towson on Sunday, June 1, 2014. To eat the ice cream cone is one of the items on Little Joe’s bucket list, which was compiled by Kathryne Shomali when she found out that he had terminal cancer. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
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- Little Joe eats a vanilla ice cream cone out of the hand of his owner, Kathryne Shomali, at Uncle Wiggly’s in Towson on Sunday, June 1, 2014. To eat the ice cream cone is one of the items on Little Joe’s bucket list, which was compiled by Kathryne Shomali when she found out that he had terminal cancer. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
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- Little Joe, left, gets acquainted with Jilly, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, on a play date set up by their respective owners, Towson residents Kathryne Shomali and Linda Prokopik. Prokopik responded to a post on a community by Shomali, who wanted to set Little Joe up on a blind date as one of his “bucket list” items. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
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- Little Joe takes a rest after completing two of his bucket list items on Sunday, June 1, 2014: eating an ice cream cone, and going on a blind date with another dog. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
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- Essam Shomali pets Little Joe in the car before the head out to complete an item on the dog’s “bucket list” on Sunday, June 1, 2014. Little Joe has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and his owners, Essam and Kathryne Shomali, have compiled a bucket list for him. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
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- Kathryne and Essam Shomali help their dog Little Joe pose for a photo with a sign making him the guard dog for their baby, who is expected to come in December. Photo taken Thursday, May 22, 2014 in Towson. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
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Jun 11, 2014 @ 14:24:40
The Maryland SPCA was so honored to be included in LJ’s bucket list. He is the happiest little guy with two remarkable, loving parents. We wish them many more happy and healthy days ahead!