Thrifter found a marble frame with a happy dog photo just for $4.99 — but walked away after reading the heartbreaking inscription
Thrift stores often hold unexpected treasures, and sometimes, those items come with a story of their own. A woman recently found herself captivated by a picture frame at a local store, which contained a photo of a dog. But when she turned it over, what she discovered brought tears to her eyes. The simple item was far more than just decor; it carried a heartfelt message that made her reflect on her own experiences with loss and love.
As reported by Newsweek, Cici, the woman behind the post, shared her experience on the subreddit r/thriftstorehauls on October 11, 2025. The $4.99 price tag was tempting, but it wasn’t the cost that caught her attention. “I thought maybe it was like an engraved slab,” Cici explained. However, she was surprised to find it was more than just a decorative item. A heartfelt message on the frame read, “Thanks for everything - I had a wonderful time,” along with a photo of a Dalmatian running toward the camera. It was clear this was a memento of someone’s beloved pet.
Cici began to imagine why the frame ended up at the thrift store. Her first thought was that perhaps the dog’s owner had passed away, and their family was sorting through belongings. Cici immediately felt a deep personal connection to the frame, as it reminded her of her own father and his aging dog. She briefly considered purchasing the frame to give to her dad as a keepsake. "She's getting up there in age, and I thought about getting it to give to him for when she passes," she revealed. But she ultimately decided against it. “I think I'd rather have to cross that bridge and find something to honor her and give to him when the time comes,” she added, acknowledging how painful it would be to face that eventual day.
In her caption, she expressed a wish that the dog in the frame and its owner had been reunited, wherever they were. "Very sweet tribute, but it makes me sad wondering why it was donated," she pondered. Many Reddit users also shared similar feelings, with one commenter, u/acetozine, saying, "I've seen this frame before and it gets me every time. I also have a thrifted one, but instead of a photo, it's a drawing of a dog. It sits next to my urn of Jack." The emotional connection to the frame resonated deeply with many, reminding them of the bonds with their pets.
u/TheSnakeholeLounge recounted, "When my dog crossed the rainbow bridge last year, my best friend went all out and paid for the cremation and memorabilia for me. I got everything back and shoved it in the back of my closet and haven’t ever looked at it again because it’s too sad. I could never get rid of it, but this doesn’t shock me too much." u/Least-Raddish1930s also expressed, "This made me a little tearful, and my dog isn’t even dead yet. I adopted her when she was 12, though, so I’ve always been aware that we won’t get that long together."