Despite the fact that this homeless dog was too ill to rescue, Sophiane Nacer wanted to offer him the greatest ‘end of days’ possible. She promised that Hippo, an elderly stray with tumors, would only know love after he died.

“Even if just for a day,” Sophiane, the 19-year-old founder of Cayleb’s Kindred Senior Dog Rescue, told TODAY, Hippo would have the happiest final day ever.

Sophiane adopted Hippo and brought him home from the shelter after a five-day waiting period. To touch the poor dog’s skin hurt. Sophiane wasn’t sure how much Hippo could endure since he was in so much pain.

All her doubts gone as she watched his tail wag. The ailing dog still had a chance. He FOUGHT to experience love and happiness before leaving this planet. So Sophiane brought Hippo to Starbucks and got him a Puppuccino, which is a Starbucks secret menu item that dogs like and is essentially a cup filled with luscious whipped cream.

The following day, Hippo was still upbeat, so Sophiane brought him to a dog park to let him run around. He loved every minute of it! But he had something to say to Sophiane.

The elderly dog, who was in pain but optimistic, had a message for his new best buddy… He was about to go. He was ecstatic to be able to spend time with Sophiane, but he was exhausted and in pain, and it was time to say his farewell.

Sophiane had a vet euthanasia expert come to her home. For him, the vet had prepared a roasted chicken with sedatives inside. He ate his farewell dinner as peacefully as he could with Sophiane at his side before falling into a painless eternal slumber.

While this narrative is tragic in many ways, it also has a happy ending. A dying dog who had only known suffering was given the chance to spend the rest of his short life feeling loved and desired. May all dogs realize how much they are loved before they depart this world! Rest in peace, Hippo. You were a wonderful young guy!