A touching farewell to a much-loved family pet has broken hearts after gaining viral attention online.
Lindsey, who lives in Iowa, shared the heartwarming moment when her 16-year-old dog Josie got to try chocolate for the first time—just hours before she was set to cross the “rainbow bridge.”
In the October 30 video that has gained over 2.3 million views, Josie happily enjoys the forbidden delight, while the text overlay reads: “16 1/2 years and girlfriend finally got some chocolate.” Lindsey’s caption said that it was Josie’s last evening with the family, and they wanted to make it extra special by treating her to some indulgent delights.
Chocolate is, of course, toxic to dogs. This is due to the presence of theobromine and caffeine, which are both from the methylxanthine family. These chemicals are known to speed up the heart rate of dogs, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, seizures and even heart failure. Dogs that consume chocolate should receive immediate veterinary attention.
Paula Stewart, an animal behaviorist from London, told Newsweek that her heart went out to the family making the difficult decision to say goodbye to their beloved pet: “It’s heartbreaking when we have to do this and it is a brave decision to make.
“In the dog’s final moments, there is no problem giving the dog chocolate as a treat, particularly if it is something they have wanted all their lives,” Stewart said. But she did emphasize that owners should exercise caution before deciding to do this.
“It is important to not do this too soon. As we all know, chocolate can be toxic to dogs and cause vomiting, diarrhea and even seizures, so we don’t want to make their final hours worse,” Stewart added. “If it’s close to the time of euthanasia, there is no harm in it, particularly if the chocolate hasn’t had time to digest. Your very best doggo deserves all the love and treats and happiness in the world.”
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In more than 2,000 comments, people shared their reactions to the moment. TikTok user seekingelizabeth wrote: “Sobbing… It’s always so tough when it’s their time to taste chocolate.”
Others shared similar experiences, including Winky who posted: “Mine got a double cheeseburger, chicken nuggets and French fries.”
PwinM wrote, “My vet has a “Goodbye Kisses” jar in the room,” referencing a jar of Hershey’s Kisses chocolates.
It wasn’t just chocolate that Josie got to enjoy. Her owner later said that she had a whole meal, including “pot roast, potatoes and carrots” that she got to enjoy with her family as they all ate on the floor with her.
Research has shown that the loss of a pet can have a significant impact on people, leading to feelings of grief and loss similar to those experienced when losing a human family member.
On October 31, Josie crossed the “rainbow bridge” and was euthanized under veterinary advice. But the heartwarming video not only captured her delight in savoring a chocolate treat but also melted hearts, reminding pet owners how important animal friendship can be.
Newsweek reached out to @lindseyg_rn via TikTok for comment.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.