Dog With Brain Tumor Hangs On Long Enough To See Owner Married

Dogs really are a person’s best friend, and one dog held on long enough to be at his best [...]

By Elle Kammerer

Dogs really are a person's best friend, and one dog held on long enough to be at his best friend's wedding.

Kelly O'Connell adopted Charlie Bear when he was just a puppy. She was working at an animal shelter while studying to become a veterinarian and it was truly puppy-love at first sight. O'Connell took Charlie Bear home and they were companions until the end.

Eventually, O'Connell and Charlie Bear moved to Colorado. There, O'Connell met the love of her life, James Garvin. Soon they became one big happy family and it included Garvin's two kids. So what more could a great dog want than a home, a family?

dog brain tumor
(Photo: Twitter / @CBSnews)

Then suddenly last spring, Charlie Bear started having seizures. It turned out that the 15-year-old pup had a serious brain tumor. To make matters worse, his humans had just gotten engaged and no one was sure if Charlie Bear was going to be able to make it to the ceremony in September.

But, like loyal and loving dogs do, he pulled through. Sure he had suffered a few more seizures, but he was determined to be there for his family on their big day. So, on September 1, 2016, O'Connell and Garvin said 'I do' with Charlie Bear lying next to the bride. He was even able to walk down the aisle.

Coming back, though, the 80-pound lab had to be carried by O'Connell's sister. It was a tiring day for the old pup.

"Everyone was crying, myself included," wedding photographer Jen Dziuvenis told CBS News. "I think everyone was a little bit shocked. Katie is a tiny woman and Charlie is an 80-pound dog, but there was no way she was going to leave him there."

When Charlie made it back up the aisle, everyone, including O'Connell, gathered around him, patting him, telling him that he "you made it buddy! You're here!" Dziuvenis said it very emotional, and that "it was probably one of the sweetest things any of us have ever seen."

Charlie Bear was put down a little over a week later on September 9th. He passed away in front of the fireplace at his home surrounded by his loving family.

[H/T CBS]

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