This Morning viewers have been left emotional after finding out social media star and ‘world’s cutest dog’, Boo the Pomeranian, passed away due to a “broken heart”.
Boo’s owners announced last week that the pooch had passed away in his sleep at the age of 12 after losing his canine pal Buddy in 2017.
During Tuesday’s show, hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield spoke to Vet Dr Scott Miller about whether dogs can die due to a broken heart.
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Scott said: “Broken heart syndrome is something that is discussed in human medicine and it’s the result of grief being a massive outpouring of stress.
“In dogs and cats, absolutely they feel stress. They have huge hearts so, of course, they grieve their passing. They’ll then produce a level of stress hormone and absolutely [they can die from a broken heart].”
Scott said a “massive change” in your pet’s behaviour and if they are “really quiet, whining or lose their spark” can indicate that they are grieving.
The show later held a phone-in for viewers to tell their pet stories.
One person rang in to ask whether it was the right time to have their dog put down while another asked how to help their dog who appeared to be grieving for their other pooch, who had passed away.
Viewers watching from home were left “in tears” over the segment.
One person said: “Crying my eyes out watching #ThisMorning. Talking about losing dogs, I actually can’t cope.”
Crying my eyes out watching #ThisMorning. Talking about losing dogs, I actually can’t cope😭😭😭
— Al🌻 (@Aliceeeexxx) 22 January 2019
Another wrote: “This is too sad. Totally understand what they’re going through. I’ve never felt pain like losing my beloved dog.”
A third tweeted: “A bit close to home! Absolutely heartbreaking, dogs do grieve and I’ve witnessed it first hand. Dogs are definitely a massive part of the family.”
This is too sad. Totally understand what they’re going through. I’ve never felt pain like losing my beloved dog#ThisMorning
— Chelle-Belle🦄 (@chellebelle2803) 22 January 2019
#thismorning abit close to home! Absolutely heartbreaking, dogs do grieve and I’ve witnessed it first hand. 💔 …dogs are defiantly a massive part of the family 🐶 @thismorning
— Amy † (@amycowenss) 22 January 2019
Others expressed their heartbreak over Boo.
Boo passed away from a broken heart 😪💔 so sad, poor bebe #thismorning
— k ε ℓ s ε y 🧚🏻♀️💖 (@xkelseey) 22 January 2019
Oh no poor Boo 😭 😭 #ThisMorning
— Vanessa ❤ (@VanessaMills94) 22 January 2019
Noooooo boo has passed away 😭😭😭 #ThisMorning
— ⚓️ ASHLEY ⚓️ (@bramwell_ashley) 22 January 2019
Last week, Boo’s owners had announced his passing on Instagram, saying: “We think his heart literally broke when Buddy left us. He hung on and gave us over a year.
“But it looks like it was his time, and I’m sure it was a most joyous moment for them when they saw each other in heaven.
“Boo brought joy to people all over the world. Boo, we love you with all our hearts and will miss you until the day we meet again.
“Have fun running around with Buddy and creating adorable mischief wherever you guys go.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BszKWyfn5p2/
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The owners bought Boo in March 2006 and after creating a Facebook page for him, he proved to be a hit on social media.
His Facebook page has more than 16 million followers, while he and Buddy’s Instagram channel has more than 600,000.
Have you ever lost a pet? How did you cope with the loss? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.