Smiley, the blind golden retriever whoโs been working as a therapy dog for most of his 15 years, was put to sleep after a three-month bout with cancer.
โItโs the only way to repay what heโs done for us all,โ Smileyโs owner, Joanne George posted on Instagram the day before she said goodbye to her friend. โWe will let him go tomorrow. Heโs had enough.โ
Just ask his 200,000 followers in Instagram.
Of all Smileyโs friends, Georgeโs son, Shepard, will miss his โreal-life stuffed animalโ the most. One of the last images George posted after her dogโs passing was that of Shepard visiting Smileyโs final resting place.
โA boy and his dog must part ways eventually,โ she wrote. โShepherd knows this pain heโs feeling is the result of loving another with all your heart. Like myself, he has no regrets. The pain is worth all he gave us.โ
George had announced Smileyโs cancer diagnosis months prior on Facebook.
โNot easy to type this out โฆ they found a mass/tumour on Smileyโs stomach and one on his liver,โ she posted. โThe dog who I thought would live forever doesnโt have much time left with us. We are obviously shocked and devastated. He has been so happy lately with extra pep in his step, so this is so hard to comprehend.โ
Smiley was put to sleep at 12:30 p.m. on October 14 and memorialized with a candlelight vigil.
CBC Toronto created a video that celebrates this incredibly kind canineโs life, and it struck a chord with thousands of Smiley fans around the world.
โWith the passing of Smiley and so many people sending love and giving so much attention to this beautiful boy, it makes me believe that there are still some wonderful caring people in this world,โ one commenter posted.
A dog like Smiley wouldnโt want his friends to feel sad. Click the button below to read an inspiring rescue story that will bring a smile back to your face!
