Dying dog goes above and beyond to console little girl who was crying over losing him: 'He only...'

A dog is a human’s best friend– in life, in death, and everything in between. When a wind of grief consumed the Hooyman household, their dying pet dog made sure everyone was comforted and loved. Eric Hooyman and his family had to make a difficult decision, one that would help their beloved Pitbull, Reese, be relieved from the pain he was suffering. His 6-year-old daughter still hadn’t grasped the situation that her pawed pal, who had been by her side through thick and thin, would be gone forever. One day, the reality dawned upon her, and she was on the verge of breaking down when Reese did something extraordinary, per Newsweek. On the TikTok page BrownieBitez (@browniebitezz), Hooyman shared a glimpse of the heartbreaking instance.

His daughter said she was about to cry as she realized her best friend was about to leave her. The dog, sensitive as they are, ran over to her to comfort her. As tears rolled down her face, Reese wiped them away with his affectionate licks. “That broke me,” Hooyman admitted. A heartbreaking sight, it only made him realize how special a soul Reese was. Adopted 15 years ago, Reese was an integral part of the Hooyman family. He shared a special bond with Hooyman and was “beyond close” with his daughter. Like a guardian angel, Reese protected the young girl even outside their home.

Once, when she had ventured outside alone, Reese ensured she was safe and restricted her from moving past the safety limits. “I asked my daughter what happened; she said Reeses followed her outside and wouldn't let her go past the driveway. He guarded her and also made sure she did not go in the street," Hooyman, who resides in New York, said. The duo became “inseparable” from there on. Their happy home was struck with a thunder of tragedy when Reese was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy. He struggled to walk with his rear left leg not functioning. The vets stepped back as there was no cure at the stage Reese was in.

Seeing his dear dog in pain, Hooyman had to make the “hardest decision” ever. Reese would be put to sleep permanently through the medical procedure of euthanasia. "I must have cried with him at least a dozen times in the days leading up to the euthanasia," he expressed. Soon after making the decision, Hooyman took his pet dog to a private room where he broke down into tears. He thanked him for his presence and for doing the “best job” supporting his daughter. However, he could not save Reese’s life, and all he could offer was an apology in return. Reese was probably unaware of his nearing end. The tragic day arrived, and Reese lay on the floor surrounded by family and the vet. 

However, when Hooyman entered the room, Reese mustered all his strength to express his affection and loyalty towards him. “He got up and walked right to me and lay at my feet," Hooyman noted. Still struggling with the grief of his loss, Hooyman often encounters insensitive remarks from people saying, “It’s just a dog.” Yet, he and his family never perceived him as just a dog, but their therapist, best friend, and family. Three weeks later, Hooyman shared an update saying the shock had passed, but the "overwhelming grief" seemed to be endless.

You can follow @browniebitezz on TikTok to follow their journey.