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Terminally Ill Poh the Dog Travels the Country with His Best Friend

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Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the Dog has embarked on several whirlwind adventures after being diagnosed with inoperable brain tumors

There’s no friend like your own four-legged pal—dogs are loving, loyal, hilarious, and surprisingly understanding of their human buddies. That’s what makes saying goodbye to them at the ends of their journeys so painful.

When New York resident Neil Rodriguez learned that his 15-year-old best friend, Poh the dog, had developed inoperable brain tumors, and possibly only had days to live, Rodriguez decided he would make every final day count for Poh. Knowing that Poh loved to be out and about, Rodriguez ditched his plans to fly out to Arizona for a DJ gig and instead decided to travel the country in his Honda CR-V—with Poh at his side.

Before heading out on this road trip of a lifetime—and one that highly resembles the story featured in Subaru’s heartwarming and heartbreaking commercial from last month—Rodriguez created an Instagram account for Poh, called pohthedogsbigadventure, and chronicled the entire trip online in stunning photos.

I stumbled upon the Instagram and spent way too much time reading all about Poh’s amazing adventures, and I’ve included highlights below.

Poh the Dog Sees America

The very first photo introduces Poh, who is so freaking adorable. The photo is from 22 weeks back, which is incredible, given that Poh was initially given just possibly days to live.

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh starts his adventure

Hi everyone, my name is #pohthedog. I look like a pup but I’m 15 years old, 105 in dog years, and although I am young at heart and my mind is willing, my body is going through the natural process of old age. My parents found out that I have a couple of very large tumors growing in my abdomen which are inoperable. So my dad @djneilarmstrong decided to give me a bucket list trip across the good old US of A… travelling from #nyc all the way to the west coast, from sea to shining sea. I always wanted to take a dip in the Pacific Ocean, so dad and@goumada are going to bring me all the way, escaping this cold weather so I can get my paws wet and get a nice tan. We are going to go South to North Carolina, Texas, Arizona… All the way up the west coast to Seattle and back. This will be just like pee wee Herman’s trip without the bicycle – #pohthedogsbigadventure. I hope you’ll follow my journey through my pictures here… Can’t wait to get out of this East coast snow! Oh, and if you want to see what my parents are doing when they leave me in the car, follow them at@djneilarmstrong and @goumada.

Poh lived in the lap of luxury in the hotels.

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh saw some awesome places, like Graceland and Cadillac Ranch.

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh got to explore outside, but sometimes he just liked to nap in his food or spend the day at a spa.

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the dog road trips across America

Sometimes when exploring, Poh got so tired his pops had to carry him.

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh had a lot of time to reflect on some deep thoughts, like squirrels and the best places to nap.

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh finally made it to the ocean and made some friends.

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the dog road trips across America

When the water first touched my paws I was super confused, but by the end of the day I was swimming like leaonardo Dicaprio in a sea of women. My first experience in the ocean was so great, I’ve been running around with so much energy, it’s like I’m only 35 in dog years again 🙂 #pohthedogsbigadventure

A video posted by poh the dog (@pohthedogsbigadventure) on

It wasn’t all easy. Poh had a seizure the day this was taken.

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh became a celebrity.

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh was excited to be in California, but all the sightseeing wore him out.

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the dog road trips across America

He wanted to chew on a shoe, but he couldn’t find any that would fit in his mouth.

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh also saw the Space Needle, gambled in Vegas, followed in Peewee’s footsteps, and even remembered the Alamo.

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh the dog road trips across America

Poh didn’t swim much in the ocean, but it was much easier here.

Poh the dog road trips across America

Washington, DC was last on Poh’s bucket list.

Poh the dog road trips across America

And then it was back home to New York City.

Poh the dog road trips across America

The fact that Poh made it to California and all the way back seems incredible enough—but what’s more incredible is that he’s still going on mini adventures around the city several months later. Rodriguez celebrates his birthday next month, and Poh’s is in October, so some more big trips are already planned.

You can follow along with Poh on his Instagram.

Photo Source: @pohthedogsbigadventure