South Carolina resident Sallie Gregory Hammet paid glowing tributes to her late golden retriever, Charlie, who passed away at age 7 after a five-month battle with lymphoma.
Since adopting him as a puppy, Charlie had been Hammet’s steadfast companion, providing comfort and joy throughout her life.
The 30-year-old woman said, “I know it’s cliché but he was my best friend,” Hammett said.
“He went with me everywhere — work, hiking, trips to Home Depot. He was just a constant source of comfort and companionship and joy. Everyone that knew me knew Charlie and knew how much I loved him.”
After Charlie passed away on September 13, 2020, Hammet wrote a heartfelt obituary to honor him. “He was the best boy,” she captioned the tribute, which quickly went viral on Twitter, garnering over 106,000 likes and 12,000 shares.
Hammet described Charlie’s favorite activities, including walking, stick collecting, swimming, smiling, and snoozing, with the exception of stairs, which he disliked.
“Charlie loved the beach, car rides, bananas, and socks. Charlie always loved going to his Grandma and Grandpa’s house, where he could get treats, chase squirrels, and pee everywhere his cousin Captain peed,” she wrote. “Charlie went tailgating, camping, hiking, and fishing. He lived the very best life.”
Hammet shared that Charlie was her constant through “heartache, moves, grief, and joy,” and was best at offering “unconditional love.”
She noted, “More than anything else, Charlie loved his mom. He was always there to greet her with some kisses and a firm grip on her arm. He taught everyone he met about loving people and always seeing the good in people.”
In memory of Charlie, Hammet and her husband, David, asked for well-wishers to give their pups some extra love. Though initially considering publishing the obituary in her local newspaper, Hammet decided to share it online due to the high cost of print publication.
I wrote my dog an obituary because of course I did. He was the best boy. pic.twitter.com/FKmqeivtq9
— Sallie Hammett (@SallieGHammett) September 22, 2020
After she shared it with family and friends, many urged Hammet to post it on social media — and she was shocked when it went viral.
People were so touched by it that they sent in tributes celebrating their own pups who had passed over the rainbow bridge, too. ‘The likes are awesome, but the best part has been all of the replies,’ Hammet said of the overnight hype.
This was in our back yard yesterday and it made me think of our two loves – Maka and Kaimana. pic.twitter.com/7XASzTJ5ae
— Loretta Ables Sayre (@LAblesSayre) September 23, 2020
My sweet Holly went to the rainbow bridge 2 days ago after a valiant fight with cancer I am so heartbroken but grateful for the privilege of being her human and for all the love she gave
— Anne Jones (@annejones1210) September 23, 2020
We lost our sweet Dolly on Saturday, it looks like she and Charlie would get along well. Your words do a wonderful job of honoring Charlie’s life. pic.twitter.com/hwhBYMgRPA
— Jen (@JennyRay28) September 23, 2020
I am so sorry for your loss. Yesterday was the anniversary of losing my boy to lymphoma. He left way to early at the age of 4. Never forgotten and always loved. I am sure they are both playing together now and forever. pic.twitter.com/etyHnOdHH4
— Kathleen Hopkins (@KatMHopkins) September 23, 2020
Aww how lovely! We lost our Charlie on the 15th October 2017 – he was 12. Still missed very much now. Charlie was known to all as Charlie La La, as, bless him, he wasn’t the brightest! But definitely the bestest blonde dog. pic.twitter.com/aREE7gaQ0F
— Sarah Killick (@xxbettykxx) September 23, 2020
“Reading about everyone else’s special doggos, and all the people that say they loved Charlie even though they never met him. It’s just been so comforting — it makes me feel less alone and just flooded with love.”
She said, “The response to this has been so overwhelming in the best way. Thank you all for loving Charlie and for sharing all your doggos (keep em coming,).” Hammett wrote in a follow-up post, “What a special thing for my special boy.”
