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Dog Owner's Tear-Jerking Video Of 18-Year-Old Dog's Final Day

Dog Owner's Tear-Jerking Video Of 18-Year-Old Dog's Final Day

Gizmo the 18-year-old pooch was treated to a puppuccino, had his favourite treats and took his final stroll

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

Is there anything more utterly heart-wrenching than having a family pet put to sleep?

Kira Beltran knows this all too well, so much so that she wanted to treat her beloved 'best friend' Gizmo, who was deaf and partially-sighted, to one last day enjoying his favourite snacks visiting his usual watering holes and taking one last walk.

Prepare yourselves, kids:

The tear-jerking footage shows the pair sat in the car while 18-year-old university student Kira drives him to Dutch Bros for a puppuccino - a cup filled with whipped cream and dog treats.

After wolfing his way through the sweet treat, the westie-bichon rescue pup can be seen taking in a final stroll and getting to mark his territory one last time.

In the final emotional scene Gizmo can be seen nibbling treats and being stroked by Kira and mum Shelly Beltran while lay on the veterinary table, before the screen cuts to footage of him with the writing 'in loving memory of Gizmo'.

Gizmo with Kira when she was four.
Kennedy News and Media

The heart-warming video which was filmed last week has gone viral on social media, racking up more than 45,000 shares and 4.92million views.

Kira, from Elk Grove, California, said: "He really was a part of our family, and I needed to ensure his last day was filled with endless amounts of love and food.

"I'm a full-time student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and I'm only in Elk Grove a few months out of the year. Thankfully I was home when we realised how bad Gizmo's health was getting.

"I was really thankful that I was able to be with him on his last day, so I knew I had to make it special for him. I wanted to make sure Gizmo, my best friend over the years, got as much food as he could and had the best last day any dog could have. He deserved it."

Gizmo loving life on a pool inflatable.
Kennedy News and Media

Gizmo's health had steadily declined over the years and his age-related ailments included loss of hearing and developing cataracts which caused his vision to deteriorate.

He had arthritis in his front right shoulder which caused a limp and was also incontinent and needed to wear nappies. Kira continued: "On his last day I took him into the car and to Dutch Bros for a puppuccino.

"They were his favourite and every dog deserves sweets sometimes. He always had my back so he deserved it, especially when I was younger and didn't want to eat the rest of my dinner - he'd always be at my feet ready to take anything I didn't want.

"He ate the puppuccino in the car the whole ride home, then finished it in our backyard which took him about and hour and a half. After that, I took him for a walk.

Gizmo with Kira in the car enjoying his last treats.
Kennedy News and Media

"I was hoping to take him at least around the block, but his legs were so sore due to the arthritis that we only made it to the corner of my street and back which took 30 minutes.

"I also let him stop wherever he wanted and mark his territory. After eating as much as he wanted that day, I met up with my mom to drive him to the vet. The drive was hard, I let my mom hold him the whole way while I tried not to cry.

"We arrived there and said our goodbyes, and we wanted to make sure we were there with him until the very end."

Gizmo and Kira in matching outfits.
Kennedy News and Media

The family adopted Gizmo from an animal rescue when both he and Kira were five years old - and have been inseparable ever since.

Kira said: "My first and favourite memory with Gizmo was the day we got him, I was so excited. My mom wanted a dog who wasn't super young because we knew the odds of an older dog getting rescued were lower.

"The people there had given me a hot dog to feed him and I thought I was supposed to give him the whole thing, but everyone yelled 'no' after I dropped it on the ground. As a scared and confused child, I reached for the hot dog just as he did and I took it away.

"My mom said she knew he was the one when he didn't even flinch when I took it back - he didn't growl or try to bite me. After that Gizmo was always with me and he has definitely become one of the best things that has ever happened to me."

Gizmo when he was five.
Kennedy News and Media

Kira said that since sharing the video on January 4 she has been inundated with messages of sympathy and support which have help her during the grieving process.

Kira said: "The amount of support I've received from this video has been overwhelming. There are hundreds of people sharing stories similar to mine who didn't get their chance to spend their dog's last day with them.

"I'm incredibly thankful for everyone's support, it's truly made this a little bit easier. Gizmo was more than just a dog, he was and always will be a part of our family.

"I miss having him around so much, but I'm happier knowing his pain is over."

RIP, Gizmo, you lovely little fella.

Featured Image Credit: Kennedy News and Media

Topics: Dog, Community, Animals