In Pictures: The Story Of This Black Labrador’s Last Day On Earth Will Break You

Anyone who has a lost a family pet will know that it is a truly heartbreaking time. Animals become an extended part of the family home and when it is time to say goodbye there will always be several tears shed. Duke Roberts was diagnosed a few years ago with osteosarcoma, a cancerous bone tumour in his leg and had his front right leg removed in hopes of stopping the cancer. Duke was much loved by his owners and so when the time came to put the adorable black Labrador down because the tumour had grown, they decided he would see out his last day doing all of the things he enjoyed. Texas woman, Jordan, called on her professional photographer friend Robyn Arouty to capture her pooch’s last day of life, which has in turn made into an emotional photo essay that has made the Internet weep. Grab a tissue because you're going to need it... I Died Today. By Duke Roberts. And I ate a lot of hamburgers. We had a party. And I laughed. And I thought about how much I’m going to miss it here. My friends from next door came to see me. They’re twins. When someone offered them one of my hamburgers, one said, “No thank you. I don’t want to take any from Dukey.” We were serious. Kristen came to see me. She’s a hoot. She’s my groomer. And my buddy. While we were waiting for the vet to come, Kristen said we were going for a walk. Then someone said, “How about a play in the water at the splash park down the street?” So off we went! “You know I’m going to miss you, right?” “And you too, right?” “I need you to help me watch over my family.” “Did you hear me? This is all I want!” We got wet today. We felt great today. We smiled today. We broke the rules today. I listened to the kids play off in the distance. And thought about my two babies at home. I loved protecting them. I relaxed today. I felt no pain. Even though the tumour grew so big. I felt the love today.

I said goodbye to my beautiful friend Kira. She “saw” me standing over everybody before the doctor said it was time. I was excited & jumping & happy. Well, I didn’t say goodbye. I said ’til we meet again.

God, I was lucky. Our time was short. But you both gave me a second chance & we lived it up together. You love when I look at you. I’ll never stop. Always, Dukey.