6-year-old girl was inconsolable over losing her senior dog — so he gave his little owner one final comfort before his last breath

Dogs are known to pick up on human emotions through body language, tone of voice, and even scent.

PUBLISHED 2 HOURS AGO

(L) Young worried mother consoling her depressed little girl, (R) Little girl with a pitbull. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) skynesher, (R) Libortom)

The bond between pet dogs and humans is built on love and trust. For one New York family, that bond showed its deepest strength just days before their dog, Reeses, was put to sleep. According to reports, the Hooyman family’s journey with their beloved Pit Bull took an emotional turn when Reeses found a unique way of comforting the family's 6-year-old daughter, who was struggling to grasp the reality of this forthcoming loss.

Relieved woman hugging pet dog. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Anastasiia Krivenok) — A pet pit bull dog. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Anastasiia Krivenok)

Reeses, a dog who had been with Eric Hooyman for 15 years, was nearing the end of his life due to a crippling illness. Diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy, which progressively weakens the body, Reeses could barely walk by the time the family made the heartbreaking decision to have him euthanized. In the days leading up to that moment, it was clear that Reeses, despite his pain, had one final act of love to offer his family, especially Hooyman’s daughter.

A sad little girl crying and hugging her teddy bear. Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Seksan Mongkhonkhamsao — A sad little girl crying and hugging her teddy bear. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Seksan Mongkhonkhamsao)

One afternoon, as the young girl realized that her dog would soon be gone forever, Reeses did something that touched her heart. As Hooyman recalled, “She told me she was going to cry,” and sensing her sadness, the dog comforted her by licking away her tears, a heartbreaking act before saying his final goodbye. "That broke me," Hooyman told Newsweek. Dogs are known to pick up on human emotions through body language, tone of voice, and even scent. According to a study by the National Library of Medicine, dogs were able to tell the difference between samples taken when people were calm and when they were stressed, detecting changes in breath and sweat that occur during emotional responses.

A dog at the vet getting a check-up. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Artem Zakharov)

This small, loving gesture was Reeses's way of reminding both Hooyman and his daughter that his love for them would endure, even in his final days. Hooyman reflects on the deep connection between his daughter and Reeses, which had started years earlier when the dog protected the young girl from wandering into the street. "I asked my daughter what happened; she said Reeses followed her outside and wouldn't let her go past the driveway. He guarded her and also made sure she did not go into the street," he mentioned. From that moment, Reeses was always by her side, ensuring her safety and offering companionship.

Pitbull sitting outside home observing something unusual. (Representative Image Source: Pexels| Photo by Aminal Life) — Pitbull sitting outside home observing something unusual. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Animal Life)

The Hooymans’ relationship with their dog was a bond of mutual care and protection, a relationship that wasn’t about mere ownership. "I must have cried with him at least a dozen times in the days leading up to the euthanasia." On the day Reeses was put to sleep, the family gathered around, saying their goodbyes. Despite his deteriorating health, Reeses managed one last act of love. As Hooyman entered the room, the dog walked over to him, laid at his feet, and looked up with those familiar eyes. "It was something I didn’t even know I needed," Hooyman shared.

Broken with grief female dog grieving owner holding the lovely pet collar and deep weeping about animal loss.(Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Solovyova)

For Hooyman, the grief of losing Reeses is ongoing. He has often heard people say, "It’s just a dog." But to him, and to many others who have experienced the love of a dog, they are much more than that. “They are your therapist, your rock, your best friend, your family; they become your everything,” he said.