This man and his senior dog moved thousands of people with their heartwarming story. It can be challenging to bid farewell to our beloved pets, but this man handled it with grace.

It deeply saddens us to acknowledge that our dogs have shorter lifespans compared to ours. Despite the pain, it is our responsibility as pet owners to ensure that they live their lives filled with love and contentment, as they are cherished members of our family. We should strive to provide them with comfort as they near the end of their journey.

This man gained widespread attention when he went viral for his unwavering determination to bring joy to his dog during her final days.

A photograph of a man pushing his dog on a mobile bed went viral a few months ago. The man, Tom Antonio, is a local resident of Georgia, and the dog is his 16-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Cocoa. The heartwarming photos were shared on Facebook, garnering over 50 thousand shares on the platform.

So, what’s the story behind these photos?

Tom, along with his wife, Lauren Slepin, used to frequently visit Virginia Beach for walks with Cocoa. The place held special significance for them as they had created cherished memories there together.

However, as Cocoa reached the age of 16, she began to experience difficulties in walking, and the family realized that she was nearing the end of her life.

This was their last walk together.

It is heart-wrenching, but they wanted to ensure that their dog could live out her remaining days in happiness by their side. By bringing her to the place they all cherished, Cocoa might be able to relive those happy memories as she approaches the end of her life.

However, as Cocoa’s ability to walk declined, Tom devised a special solution for her – a meticulously crafted mobile bed. “My wife and I came up with a way to take Cocoa for walks using a mechanics creeper and other tools,” Tom explained in an interview. “We had a rope and a bed, and we would bring her out.”

The handcrafted bed provided Cocoa with the opportunity to experience the world once again.

It has been several months since Cocoa was last able to walk outside, but with the handcrafted bed that Tom created for her, they were able to revisit various places together, such as the dog park and watching sunsets. When their photographs were shared on the internet, the family was surprised by how many people were touched by their heartwarming story.

Tom stated, “It struck a chord with people regarding the strong bond we have with our dogs and pets.”

Although Cocoa has since passed away, she left an indelible impression on their hearts.

A few months later, Cocoa peacefully passed away. While the family was naturally devastated, they took comfort in knowing that they were able to give her the life she truly deserved.

They were grateful for the time they had with Cocoa and cherished the wonderful memories she brought into their lives. Surely, Cocoa has carried those cherished memories with her to heaven.

“We are overwhelmed with the love and support that our beautiful Cocoa has received, and how she has touched the hearts of so many people,” Lauren wrote in her Facebook post. “We miss her deeply, but we are grateful for the long time we had with her.”

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet may be challenging, but it’s important to learn how to handle the emotions that come with it.

It is crucial to express our appreciation to our pets.

It’s far more fulfilling to create happy memories with your pet, so that they can also pass away contentedly. Moreover, this is beneficial for both of you. Be the Tom for your Cocoa.

Watch the heartwarming video about Cocoa below.