Without a doubt, dogs are the most loyal and gentle creatures on earth. The connection between humans and their four-legged companions is difficult to describe in words. This beautiful story is about the love, respect, and deep bond that people and dogs can share.
Kelly O’Connell and her beloved pup, Charlie Bear, have met 15 years ago. Back then, the 19-year-old woman was doing volunteering work at a local animal shelter in New York state. Charlie was just 12-week-old when arrived at the shelter, after some people found him in a shopping cart, freezing. Even though Kelly wasn’t looking to adopt a dog at that time when she saw the little one she knew it was meant to be.
“He came in, and I was like, ‘Yup. I’m taking this puppy home,’” she recalls.
A few years later, Kelly, who also graduated from veterinary school, moved to Colorado, where she met James Gavin (also a veterinarian). It was love at first sight, and soon after they met, they decided to move in together (and Charlie, of course). Soon after, Kelly and James decided to get married. Of course, they want Charlie there too. But unfortunately, the 15-year-old dog was [ᴅɪᴀɢɴᴏsᴇᴅ ] with a [ʙʀᴀɪɴ ᴅɪsᴏʀᴅᴇʀ.]brain disorder. He’s getting worse and worse, he’s weak.
His human parents worried that he wouldn’t be able to be there on their wedding day.
“I had made an appointment for a guy to come to the house and we were going to euthanize him a week before the wedding because he had had five seizures and we were like, ‘This is too much, I don’t want to do this and don’t give it to him anymore, ‘” Kelly said!
Miraculously, a week before the wedding, Charlie started to feel better.
“In the end, it was almost like he was saying to himself, ‘No, I want to see this,’” the woman said. “He’s getting better. [He] Looks like a brand new dog. ”
Charlie did attend the wedding of his favorite human being and the moment they shared was so touching. Thankfully, wedding photographer Jen Dziuvenis captured these lovely scenes.
“There aren’t enough mascaras in the world for these moments,” says Jen. “This is what love looks like. A loving family, love animals… It’s the most moving demonstration I’ve ever seen.”
Charlie did attend the wedding of his favorite humans and the moments they shared were so touching. Thankfully, the adorable scenes were captured on camera by the wedding photographer, Jen Dziuvenis.
A week after, Charlie was put down and [ᴅɪᴇᴅ] peacefully, surrounded by his loving family. He’ll always be in Kelly and Jason’s memory!
“It was a phenomenal 15 years. That’s for sure,” Kelly said.