Man Posts Heartbreaking Goodbye To Dog After Hundreds Join Him For Last Walk

Guys, I'm crying again (shocker, I know).

Walnut, an 18-year-old whippet, took his last walk Saturday with hundreds of strangers on his favorite beach in Cornwall, UK, just hours before passing away.

A few days before the emotional gathering, Walnut's owner, Mark Woods, posted a photo of his beloved pup to Facebook to announce his elderly dog was going to be euthanized on Saturday.

According to TIME, the photo's caption asked dog lovers and friends to join him in their last walk together so they could celebrate Walnut's life.

The emotional Facebook post already received over 2,200 shares, and said,

'Walk with Walnut' 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 9.30am. I would love it if dog lovers/owners and friends would join us for a celebration of Walnut on his favourite 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.

I'M SOBBING.

To Woods' surprise, hundreds of compassionate strangers showed up at the beach to join him and Walnut in their final walk together.

Although Walnut was too weak to walk by himself, Woods carried him in a blanket throughout the duration of the gathering.

Various people took to Twitter and shared photos of their emotional experience walking with Walnut. Some even claimed the walk restored their faith in the compassion of humanity after a "dreary" year.

Woods confirmed on Saturday that Walnut passed away peacefully a few hours after their walk at 11:56 am.

In a gracious Facebook post, he said,

Walnut passed away this morning at 11.56am. 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. 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 9.30am all around the world. I also want to thank the wonderful people of Newquay for their support which I will never forget as long as I live. I read out a poem that was sent to me by one of the many well wishers just before Walnut had his last sleep and would love you all to read this as well to remind ourselves just how lucky we are to be alive and to share in the wonderful world that our pets give us. God bless you all.

Alas, my faith in humanity has been restored.

Rest in peace, Walnut.

Citations: TIME