This Heartbroken Man Took His 18-Year-Old Dog For One Last Walk, But He Didn’t Do It Alone…
They say that dogs are a man’s best friend, and that certainly seemed to be the case for Mark
Woods and his whippet Walnut. After 18 years together, though, it was time to say goodbye.
But not before Woods arranged the most epic last walk ever.
Woods, from Cornwall, England, first got Walnut when the whippet was just a puppy.
In fact, the dog was the first pet that Woods ever had, and they had a special bond. Indeed,
they lived together in the south of England with Woods’ wife Lisa and three more whippet dogs.
However, the pair hadn’t always lived in such a stable family environment. In fact, Woods
acknowledged that having Walnut forced him out of the house when he was suffering from depression
and loneliness. Moreover, he described the way they came together as “fate” and credited the
dog with helping him get his life back on track. “I have been ill in my life. Like a lot of people,
I have suffered from depression for various reasons,” Woods explained. “Now I think ‘My God,
what would have happened if he wasn’t there?’ He was a big help,
someone to give a cuddle to. No back-chat, no issues, nothing to tell me, just love.”
Indeed, Walnut’s unconditional love had been a constant, even when Woods’ romantic life was
more complicated. In fact, the dog lover said Walnut had helped him through three engagements
and two marriages. However, the pair’s luck changed when Woods’ current wife
Lisa came into their lives. After all, she doted on Walnut as much as Woods did.
But sadly, Walnut’s health had begun to decline in recent months.
For instance, the whippet had become too weak to even walk,
forcing Woods to carry him everywhere. So, after eight months of thinking
long and hard about the heartbreaking decision, the pet owner decided to have Walnut put down.
However, Woods was unable to let Walnut go without giving him a proper send off. Therefore,
he decided the most fitting goodbye would be for the pair to go on a nice walk along the whippet’s
favorite stretch of beach in Porth, Newquay. Given the emotion surrounding the stroll, though,
Woods decided that the pair shouldn’t make the trip alone.
So, the caring owner took to Facebook to invite some friends along for their poignant
final journey. “Sadly, I am having to have Walnut euthanized on Saturday 12th November
and so we will be having a last walk together on his beloved Porth Beach at 9:30 a.m.” he wrote.
He continued, “I would love it if dog lovers and owners and friends would join us for a
celebration of Walnut on his favorite Porth Beach. He has had an incredible life and
having reached the grand age of 18 is ready for his final sleep. Hope to see you on Saturday.”
What happened next was somewhat of a shock for Woods and his family. In a matter of days, the
post received 19,000 reactions and attracted the comments of well-wishers from across the globe.
And the responses were overwhelmingly supportive. “Such a beautiful thing to do,
Walnut is a very lucky dog to have shared such a wonderful life with you,” wrote one user.
In fact, it soon seemed like the whole country was following the “Walk with Walnut” event. Indeed,
Woods and Walnut were invited to speak on a number of national television outlets
and featured on a whole host of international websites. Woods admitted he was “flabbergasted”
by the love and support he received during this immensely difficult time.
Explaining his decision to share his final walk with Walnut, Woods said, “We’ve shared a lot of
dramas, a lot of fun and a lot of shenanigans and he’s exceptionally special. Eighteen years is a
long time to build up a bond of friendship. We normally walk alone on the beach.”
He added, “It just felt the right thing to do to share a walk for a change,
we have the most beautiful beaches in Newquay, a lovely community here
and a lot of people have dogs.” So, as planned, on the morning of November 12, 2016, Woods and Walnut
took their final trip to the seaside, just hours before the pooch was scheduled to be put to sleep.
However, greeting them on the beach were hundreds of human supporters and their canine companions.
All had come to Cornwall to help Walnut and Woods have the best goodbye walk possible. Indeed,
when Woods wrapped the elderly whippet in a warm blanket and carried him down to the beach,
he was flanked by crowds of people and their pets.
During the walk, many people took the opportunity to introduce themselves to Woods and Walnut
and comfort them in their hour of need. Children also patiently took it in turns
to stroke the ailing doggie, and Woods even took Walnut for one last paddle in the sea.
Then, after a wonderful morning, it was time to say goodbye privately at home.
On Facebook later, Woods shared a photo of himself and his beloved dog along with the sad news of
his passing. He wrote, “Walnut passed away this morning at 11:56 a.m. The family and our three
whippets, Monty, Nelson and Charlie were also in the room. He went very quickly and in my arms.”
“I am writing this post because I owe it to everyone who has supported myself,
my family and most importantly Walnut,” he continued. “Thank you to the hundreds of
people that attended the walk this morning and to all those that had their own walks with their
beloved pets at 9:30 a.m. all around the world.” Although he may be gone, Walnut is continuing to
touch the hearts of all those who’ve learned of his story. There are even plans to release
a charity single about the whippet, with all proceeds going to the Battersea Dog and Cats
Home in London. Again, the gesture moved Woods to issue a public thank you via his Facebook page.
“I would like to thank everyone from around the world and more locally here in Newquay
for all your support and love to my family,” he wrote. “If I could give you all a hug and
if Walnut were here, he would smother you in kisses. Walnut now has a legacy to pass
on to other dogs and cats that are in need of a home by raising thousands of pounds via
the beautiful record that was made for him.” So, although it’s never easy saying goodbye
to a pet, the enormous support Woods received helped him through the heartbreaking experience.
And, perhaps the owner best summed up why Walnut had such a big effect on so many strangers.
“Dogs really bring the best out in people,” he said. “And then people do the best things.”