A cocker spaniel who has been given just six months to live has been getting stuck into a bucket list written by his owner.

Cherie Wischmeier, 23, wrote a bucket list for 18-month-old Marley after she was told by vets at the Royal Veterinary College in September 2017 that he had a leaky valve in his heart, and without treatment would only survive another six months to a year.

However, after being told that open heart surgery in the summer could add ten years to Marley’s life, Cherie has decided to take the risk despite a fifty-fifty chance that he could not survive the surgery.

In the meantime, Cherie and Marley have been busy throwing themselves into their bucket list of more than 35 activities.

Cherie said: “Marley is my first dog, so I was devastated when I found out about his condition, but instead of wasting time being upset, we’ve really thrown ourselves into having as many adventures as possible.

“This is all about doing all the things I had dreamed we would do together, but just condensed down into a much shorter time. I’m determined that we’ll have as much fun together as we can.”

Items already ticked off the list include jumping in a huge ball pit, eating fish and chips on the beach, and having Marley’s portrait sketched.

Activities still to complete include meeting a celebrity, riding in a police car and getting a doggie massage.

Cherie said: “He’s loved everything with done, but I think the activity which we enjoyed the most was riding in a convertible car. Just seeing him there with his head poking out the top and his ears flying around with a big grin on his face was the best feeling.”

Marley could even be treated to a trip around Europe this summer, which Cherie, from West Horndon, had always dreamed of.

Marley has had a Facebook page set up to keep his almost 500-strong group of followers up to date on his activities.

Sam’s Grooming Room in Billericay also put on a ‘doggie afternoon tea’ yesterday in Langdon Hills Country Park, to allow Cherie and Marley to meet some supporters.