Owner Shares 13 Important Lessons Her Dying Great Dane Taught Her

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A dog owner went viral online after sharing the emotional lessons she learned while caring for her dying Great Dane.

Andrea is a college student and the owner of three Great Danes. Her first ever, Iris, died in January from cancer.

As would be expected, it was a tragic and heartbreaking time, with Iris even losing a leg to her illness, but Andrea found a silver lining in the sadness.

owner and great dane
Stock image of an owner and Great Dane. A dog owner went viral online after sharing the emotional lessons she learned while caring for her dying Great Dane. Getty Images

Sharing beautiful shots of Iris during her life, including being carried in a sling, Andrea shared 13 things she learned from the death of her furry friend. The video has touched millions online, gaining over 2 million views.

Ranging from enjoying life more to appreciating change, the lessons are valuable and philosophical: something Iris probably had no idea she was able to do. Those lessons were:

  • People come and go, learn to accept and grow from it.
  • Be kind; you never know what someone is battling.
  • Change is good.
  • It doesn't matter how loyal you are to someone, it doesn't mean they will treat you the same.
  • Pain is temporary.
  • Fear is never something that should discourage us from fulfilling our max potential.
  • Forgive but don't forget.
  • Enjoy the little things life brings.
  • Not all guys are bad.
  • Sometimes the worst situations turn into the most beautiful experience.
  • Not everyone deserves your love and not everyone will appreciate your beauty.
  • Don't give up when times are tough; embrace the moment and push forth.
  • Live day by day because we're not here forever and we never know when our journeys will end.

Iris was Andrea's first Great Dane but died after suffering from osteosarcoma, a malignant tumor of the bone.

According to VCA Animal Hospitals: "The long bones are the most commonly affected though bones such as the jaw, hips or pelvis may also be affected." Large breed dogs are more commonly affected than, including Great Danes.

Andrea welcomed her second and third Great Danes during college, meaning she isn't the only one affected by the loss of Iris. According to Andrea's videos, fellow Great Dane Lombardi sleeps by Iris' ashes every night.

In fact, Andrea believes that her fourth Great Dane, welcomed after Iris' death, was sent by Iris. The puppy was born on Iris' fifth birthday.

TikTok viewers were left touched by Iris' story and the heartwarming lessons she taught her owner without even meaning to. Owners flooded the comments with their own similar stories.

"I appreciate humans like you. I've had 7 Danes and they are all heartbreakers. I haven't gotten myself to get another yet," wrote one user.

Newsweek has contacted Andrea for comment.

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