Loyal dog stayed by owner with brain cancer until his death — and what happened just 15 minutes later shattered the family
A heartbreaking event unfolded in Alloa, Scotland, that involved a young man who had faced a long and difficult illness with remarkable strength and the constant support of his loved ones. After years of struggle, in August 2019, he finally found peace at home, close to his family and his loyal dog, who never left his side. But just when his loved ones thought the hardest part was over, another heartbreaking news followed only minutes later.
The then 25-year-old Stuart Hutchison had battled brain cancer for eight years. Despite surgery and chemotherapy, the disease returned several times and spread to his bones and pelvis. In June, doctors discovered that the cancer had reached most of his brain. Knowing time was short, Stuart decided to spend his final weeks at his mother’s home, where he felt most at peace. His wife, Danielle, and his mother, Fiona Conaghan, cared for him every day. “We got Stuart home four weeks ago because he wanted to die at home because that's where he was born,” Fiona shared with the Mirror. Surrounded by family, Stuart passed away on August 11, 2019, bringing an end to his long and brave fight.
That same day, an unexpected tragedy followed. Danielle’s father went to the home that she and Stuart shared to collect her glasses, allowing her to stay by her husband’s side. When he got there, he noticed that Stuart’s beloved French Bulldog, Nero, looked unwell. Worried, he took the then two-year-old dog to the emergency vet. Moments later, Fiona received the shocking news that Nero had died from a sudden rupture in his spine, only fifteen minutes after Stuart’s passing. “Stuart died about 1:15 p.m. that day, and Nero died roughly 15 minutes later,” Fiona recalled. “He had three dogs, but him and Nero were like one man and his dog.”
Fiona said that Nero had always been closest to Stuart. The pair were rarely apart, and Nero had stayed by his side through every stage of his illness. Stuart and Danielle also had two other dogs, Nala and Amelia, the puppy of Nala and Nero. Fiona said that although the family knew Stuart’s time was coming, it was still a shock when the moment arrived, and losing Nero right after made it even more painful.
Stuart and Danielle had been together for six years and were married earlier that year, in January. Despite his illness, Stuart stayed positive and enjoyed the time he had with his family and dogs. His mother described him as “a strong, lovable character” who was loved by everyone who knew him. Fiona also shared how the loss of both Stuart and Nero deeply affected Danielle, though she tried her best to stay strong.