Shelter Dog Whose Bucket List Brought Community Together Dies

NORTH FORK, NY — Sasha, a dying shelter dog who brought the community out in droves after a volunteer created a bucket list for her final days, has died.

Sasha died on Tuesday morning, said Valerie Sanks, the volunteer who found herself smitten with her four-legged friend.

After Sanks created a bucket list for Sasha, with items including car rides, beach walks, and ice cream parties, a sea of caring individuals flocked to the shelter to bring the sweet dog a taste of joy. Others stepped up to foster her, but sadly, Sasha became too sick to be sent to a forever home.

"We want to thank everyone who visited her and brought her care packages," said Gabrielle Stroup of the North Fork Animal Welfare League. "She was surrounded by love in her last days and went peacefully surrounded with people who loved her."

Sanks, who was devastated to lose the dog who won her heart, said her heart was broken for the NFAWL staff.

The community opened its arms when Sasha, a sweet-natured homeless dog who won hearts, faced her final battle. Stroup said Sasha, was diagnosed with lymphoma.

Sasha had a special few days last year when she was singled out for some special attention and went on a sleepover at a hotel, where she was treated to some love and attention from Sanks, who takes dogs from the Southold, Brookhaven and Riverhead shelters and transports them to hotels for a night of snuggling and fun.

When she learned of Sasha's plight, Sanks was devastated: "My sweet girlfriend, Miss Sasha," she said. Quoting lyrics, she said, "Sasha, in high tide tide, I'll be by your side, 'cause that's what friends are for."

And she was true to her promise: Sanks took Sasha on a drive to Orient Point, where Sasha was able to go for a walk on the beach, watch the ferries, and dip her paws in the water, she said.

"We sang songs in the truck and she played with a new toy in the back seat. We talked about what she would like in her bucket list," Sanks said, adding.

Sadly, although one caring friend brought ice cream for all the pups, Sasha was too ill to eat any.

On Sasha's bucket list, Sanks says, were a number of doggy dreams, including car and ferry rides, "one last birthday party," her favorite Thanksgiving stuffing, having someone read her a bedtime story, a cheeseburger and a vanilla milkshake, a tea party with a little girl, lunch with the Southold Town Police Department, an ice cream party with her friends at the North Fork Animal Welfare League in Peconic, a sunset picnic on the beach, new squeaky toys, and, most important in her last days, "To love and be loved."

And loved, said all who knew her, she most definitely was.

Patch courtesy photo.