Only pet parents truly understand this kind of heartbreak.💔 It’s beautiful—and it hurts.
Some human-animal bonds are deep beyond words… but far too short. One of the most heartbreaking things is watching your four-legged best friend grow old and slip away.
Carlos Fresco and his beloved labradoodle Monty were inseparable for years. Monty, ten years old, loved nothing more than hiking the hills of Wales with Carlos, especially their favorite spot—Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons.
But like many dogs, Monty’s life was shorter than we wish it could be. When he was diagnosed with cancer and his health declined, Carlos knew they didn’t have much time left. So he made a choice—to give Monty one final adventure.
Though Monty was too weak to walk, Carlos gently pushed him up their favorite mountain in a wheelbarrow, giving his best friend one last look at the world they loved together.
Photos of that emotional journey touched hearts around the world. Strangers on the trail stopped to cheer Monty on, moved by the love between this man and his dog. Some walked beside them. Others cried. All felt the weight of what it means to say goodbye.
Monty, despite his frailty, beamed with joy from all the attention and kindness. He passed away after an 18-month battle with leukemia, surrounded by love and with memories full of mountains, laughter, and quiet companionship.
Saying goodbye to our pets—our family—is one of the hardest things we’ll ever do. But in their short time with us, they show us a kind of love that lasts forever.
