A heartbroken woman has said her final goodbyes to her dying dog by letting him eat his dream last meal on earth.
Calah Rose, 32, from Florida, USA, was absolutely devastated when her 13-year-old rescue dog, Bleu, was diagnosed with aggressive cancer last year.
The pair were inseparable and she vowed to give him the very best possible end to his life - so she ordered all of his favourite foods and took him to a Starbucks drive-through.
From tacos to mac 'n' cheese, pizza and KFC, Calah let Bleu dig into his last supper without worrying about a thing.
She told The Mirror : "We spent the last weekend eating all of his favourite human yummies, because I knew that in just two days I'd have to give him back to heaven."
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Calah rescued Labrador cross Great Dane, Bleu, as a puppy when he was six weeks old, and he was her best friend for 13 years.
"I've never been alone because he's always been by my side," she said.
Calah describes Bleu as a "gentle giant" and says he was "fiercely protective" of her.
Talking about her favourite memories with Bleu, she said: "When I was expecting my children, he guarded my belly from anyone who thought to get too close.
"He he hated getting his snout wet. I even had to get in the bathtub with him just for a wash."
Bleu had a tiny rabbit teddy that he carried from puppyhood through to old age - and Calah says he "never let it go".
In August last year, Bleu started showing signs of illness and just last week, Calah was met with the devastating news that he wouldn't live much longer.
"The vet told me his cancer was too aggressive, and that I needed to consider euthanasia," Calah said.
Knowing he wouldn't make it to the month of April, Calah planned a weekend of Bleu's favourite foods and activities, and showered him with the love he truly deserved.
"I took him to the park, the dog lake and the pet store. He got multiple pup cups from Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts, and picked the juiciest bone ever from the store," Calah said.
Calah waited until his last two days on earth before she started feeding him human foods, so it wouldn't irritate his stomach.
She ordered fried chicken, pizza and cheese tacos, and Bleu ate each one from her fingers with pure joy.
Then she took clay impressions of his paws and made keepsake boxes in his memory.
"Saying goodbye is the hardest thing I’ve had to do in his 13 years," Calah said.
Sharing her grief, Calah advised other dog owners with a senior pet to "take pictures, videos and time".
"Honour and love your pet, but remember to open the windows and get some fresh air. Feel it in the moment but don’t let it take you over," she said.
"They love us too much for that."
Do you have a dog story to tell? Contact nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
