A vets has posted the heartbreaking reason why it gives chocolate to dogs who are about to cross the rainbow bridge.
Smiths Station Animal Hospital in Alabama, US, has a jar full of chocolates to give to dogs who are about to be euthanised because "no dog should go to heaven without tasting chocolate".
A picture of the jar full of the delicious chocolates with ‘goodbye kisses’ labelled on it was posted to Facebook and has racked up 126,000 shares and 13,000 comments.
The emotional caption has left some in tears.
It said: “This jar is reserved for our euthanasia appointments...because no dog should go to heaven without tasting chocolate.”
Jennifer Williams, manager of the hospital, told Fox News that technician Casey Hinkley came up with the idea for the facility after seeing a similar jar online. Tracy Gee made the jar and Dr. Nicole Namie came up with the quote, which was shared on the hospital’s Facebook page.
Heartbroken pet owners flocked to the comments section and flooded it with tributes to their pets along with what treats they fed to them on their last day.
Olivia Arnett posted: “We said goodbye to my best friend a year and a half ago. Sent him off eating cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets. I still miss him just as much.”
Kayla Koop commented: “My handsome man had to put him down last month. The day he got put down we took him for ice cream.”
Stephy Richards wrote: “I just had to put my dog Loki down due to abdominal cancer and I gave him a piece of chocolate and other goodies before his appointment.”
Casey Nicole Atkins said: “Our girl, Wafer, that you guys had to send over the rainbow bridge in April had a whole chocolate cupcake.”
Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which is poisonous to dogs, and why they can't enjoy the sweet treat throughout their lifetime.
