Marnie the happy dog who inspired other senior adoption dies at age 18

A senior dog whose lolling tongue made her an Internet celebrity has died of old age at the age of 18.

Marnie had 1.8 million followers on Instagram and became an online sensation after her owner Shirley Braha began documenting the Shi Tzu’s journey.

Her comfort has been notably declining over the past few days with little hope for improvement and she let me know she had had enough. She enjoyed her chicken until the very end.”

Marnie was adopted at age 11 from an animal shelter and inspired many others to opt for a senior dog. Braha posted on Instagram that Marnie’s health began declining last week.

Most of all, I’m amazed that the sweet little hot mess of a pup that I picked up from a shelter at age 11, who at first didn’t seem like she would be around very long at all, has managed to inspire others to adopt senior dogs. When I hear from people that Marnie has made them adopt their senior dogs it’s truly the most beautiful legacy she and I could hope to leave in this world.

Braha said beneath her grief she feels gratitude that the universe entrusted her with such a beautiful soul, providing her with the perfect best friend and companion.

Marnie will be buried at a cemetery, Braha said, and a public celebration will be held later after the Coronavirus threat has passed.

I’m grateful I was able to give this magical creature the fun and deeply loving life she wanted and deserved. I’m thankful I was chosen to be the conduit for Marnie to bring joy into the world. And I’m thankful for all the human and dog friends Marnie and I made along the way, and the strangers on the streets and on the internet, who have shown us so much love.


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Peg Fong is also in recovery from newspapers

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