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Dog Known As 'Smiley The Blind Therapy Dog' Sadly Passes Away

Dog Known As 'Smiley The Blind Therapy Dog' Sadly Passes Away

He brought a lot of joy and happiness to people.

Mark McGowan

Mark McGowan

A dog known as Smiley The Blind Therapy Dog has sadly passed away, with his paw in his owner's hand.

The golden retriever was instantly recognisable, more for his beaming smile, rather than for not having eyes. Despite his troubles he brought plenty of love and happiness to a lot of people.

Yesterday his owner, Joanne George, announced on Facebook that it was time to regrettably let Smiley go after he'd been suffering with cancer.

"It's the only way to repay what he's done for us all. We will let him go tomorrow. He's had enough," she wrote on Instagram.

She hold's his paw as he lies on the table, and not long after he took his last breath as he was put down.

During his 15 years Smiley went out of his way, spending 12 of them visiting hospitals, care homes and schools to show people what happiness is, doing so with his infectious attitude.

He constantly smiled because of a rare condition he was born with, which means his oversized teeth cause him to always grin. His eyes were sewn shut, too, so they wouldn't get infected.

It wasn't just people in hospitals who got to experience his warmth though, as he became a viral sensation with his own Instagram account which grew to have 191,000 followers.

"He does something to people. People say they feel like a different person after meeting Smiley," Joanne previous told Huffington Post.

"These kids who were born with different disabilities are able to see that dogs, too, are born with the same disabilities.

"It's important for them to see that Smiley has overcome, and that he's happy."

Joanne has been inundated with messages from followers on Facebook, who have applauded Smiley's ability to make others happy, as well as offering their condolences to the George family.

Doctors and carers were always baffled by the effect the pooch had on the disabled or the ill, which goes to show just how big of a loss he'll be to the world.

Featured Image Credit: Instagram

Topics: Viral, Dog, Animals, Blind