Gut-Wrenching Photo Of Adopted Son Caring For Dying Dog: 'I Know How It Feels Not To Be Loved'
February 14, 2020
While caring for their dying dog, Maria Henry Gay's adopted son, Robbie, explained why he wanted to hold the pup as she went to Heaven. And his reason totally wrecked me!
Saying goodbye to a fur-baby is never easy. Our pets are family. And the loss leaves a huge whole in our hearts.
RELATED: Tim Tebow Crying As He Holds Beloved Dying Dog Bronco Is Utterly Heart-Wrenching
So, it was a tough day for Maria Henry Gay when the vet shared some bad news about her senior dog, Buffy.
Buffy was just supposed to be getting her teeth cleaned and removed. But the vet wanted to run some lab work before putting the senior dog under anesthesia. And sadly, the tests showed Buffy had advanced kidney failure.
The most humane thing in the way of caring for the dying dog was to have her put down. But Maria knew her son, Robbie, needed to be part of the process.
"So I immediately went and picked him up from school," Maria explained. "On the way there he told me he wanted to be the one to hold her when she went to heaven. And of course, I gave him that honor."
Boy's Touching Response To Caring For Dying Dog
It's an emotional time when putting a beloved pet down. While you don't want them to suffer, you never really want to say goodbye either.
On the way home, Maria told Robbie how proud she was watching him caring for the dying dog. And his response both warms and breaks your heart all at once.
"I know how it feels not to be loved or cared for and I don't want any animal of mine to ever feel that way," Robbie told Maria. "It's only sad for us when they go to heaven. It's a happy day for them."
You see, Maria adopted Robbie from the foster system following years of severe abuse and neglect. And his compassionate response while caring for this dying dog just goes to show what a sweet soul he has.
God not only delivered Robbie from his horrible experience, but also used it to bless him with a tender, compassionate heart.
Adoption Story Shows God At Work
Maria explained how they prefer to adopt senior dogs. Through his adoption story, Robbie is able to relate to them in a special way.
RELATED: Emaciated Pup And Boy with Autism Found Healing Together
Robbie remembers how the longer a child remains in foster care the less likely they are to be adopted.
"If all you guys had wanted was a baby, you would have never gotten me," Maria says Robbie tells her.
Similarly, it takes a special person to adopt a senior pet. Caring for a dying dog takes an emotional toll, so many people opt for younger dogs.
But Maria says Robbie has reminder her numerous times that how much you love something doesn't depend upon how long you've had it.
"Well you've only known me for two years but you love me like it's been forever," Maria's adopted son explained when she asked him what he meant.
You can tell God is at work in this little boy's heart. He's been through so much and could easily have a hardened perspective. But instead, he has a wisdom beyond his years paired with a gentle, kind soul.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Young Man’s Adoption Story And America’s Got Talent Audition
What an inspiration this sweet boy is! And what a powerful reminder of how God can take our worst circumstances and use them to make something beautiful.
Mel is the senior writer for GodUpdates, finding, writing and sharing Christian, uplifting, and health-related stories from around the world. Mel has a passion for writing and graduated with a degree in English from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. When she’s not researching and writing stories, Mel is very active in her church. You can usually find Mel playing board games with her husband and two young girls, giving someone a hug, or hunting down a good cup of coffee!
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Past Stories
- An Iguana Hitches a Ride on a Garbage Truck in Tennessee, Now Trying to Find Its Owner
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.