RIP Pete: Hero dog dies after run in with a bear during hike

Pete was a very good dog.

So good, in fact, he took on a bear to protect his humans and a brood of other pooches while out on a walk.

Proof that not all heroes wear capes.

So our friends lost their sweet setter Pete today. He and some other dogs surprised a black bear while on a hike. Pete bravely protected the rest of the crew who got to safety. Pete later succumbed to his injuries. He was an older guy and went out a true hero. RIP PETE THE HERO! pic.twitter.com/a3W5q9DHbc

— Ben White (@morningmoneyben) February 12, 2018

Pete belonged to the folks who run Me & My Shadow Pet Sitting in Greenwood Lake, New York.

It was on Sunday when Pete was out for a pack walk when the group encountered a black bear.

“Today we lost our brave, old man Pete,” Pete’s family posted on social media.

My husband and I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love for #petethehero He was a senior dog that we adopted after fostering. His actions prove that no dog is too old to be abandoned or too lost to be loved. #oesr #rescuedogs #rainbowbridge pic.twitter.com/PdZ7gctJIB

— Me & My Shadow Pets (@mmspets) February 13, 2018

The entire ordeal is recounted on Instagram.

“The dogs surprised a black bear just off the trail while we were hiking this morning. It must not have heard or smelled us with the pouring rain. It felt threatened and turned around. Pete stepped up and held off the bear until I could get the other dogs to safety. Once I was sure they were safe, I went back and scared the bear off, but Pete was gravely injured.”

They got Pete to the vet, but the injuries were too severe.

Pete was pushing 14 years old. And had been with the couple for 18 months first as a foster pet and then as a full-fledged member of the family.

“Please light a candle for Pete and remember that fostering and rescuing a dog can sometimes save you. Senior dogs have so much to give. Love you Petey. Save me some cheese for when we see each other again.”

Pete was indeed brave.

Below is an account from my husband of yesterdays pack walk. “Today we lost our brave, old man Pete. The dogs surprised a black bear just off the trail while we were hiking this morning. It must not have heard or smelled us with the pouring rain. It felt threatened and turned around. Pete stepped up and held off the bear until I could get the other dogs to safety. Once I was sure they were safe, I went back and scared the bear off, but Pete was gravely injured. I was able to get him back down to the main trail and, thanks to Cathi and Kate, we were able to get him in a car and to the hospital pretty quickly. He held on like a real trooper the whole time, and he was never alone in his pain. The x-rays revealed some pretty bad spinal damage that would mean he could never walk again, if he survived all the surgeries (not a certain thing at his age). We decided it was best to let him go this afternoon. Run free Pete, you no longer have all those aches and pains of old age. You had a great 18 months with us running the days away like you loved.” Please light a candle for Pete and remember that fostering and rescuing a dog can sometimes save you. Senior dogs have so much to give. Love you Petey. Save me some cheese for when we see each other again. ❤💔❤

A post shared by Me & My Shadow Pets (@mmspets) on Feb 12, 2018 at 1:16pm PST

I’m not crying. You’re crying.

In fact, the entire internet is wrecked.

Good Boy! Sleep tight Pete the Hero. https://t.co/6qwREslf2u

— Roche (@Roche25) February 12, 2018

I’m literally crying dogs are amazing. If u want to cry even more look at @mmspets page. Pete and a whole bunch of dogs would always go on adventures together 🙁 https://t.co/k1rcImRg0j

— jessica bob (@jessicab0b) February 12, 2018

These images will lift your spirits.

Dogs are just the best.

Monday madness. Kaiser was super happy to be back in the pack after winter break. #mmspets #packwalk #losetheleash #packrules #gsp #englishsetter #englishlab #lab #dutchshepherd #rescuemutt

A post shared by Me & My Shadow Pets (@mmspets) on Jan 16, 2018 at 10:05am PST

Crisp fall day makes for happy rowdy dogs. #mmspets #packrules

A post shared by Me & My Shadow Pets (@mmspets) on Nov 17, 2017 at 3:28pm PST

Ran into Tree Bark Hikes yesterday so Clive & Rocky joined our photo. #mmspets #mypackgoesto11 #packrules #subarulovesdogs #letsgoforawalk

A post shared by Me & My Shadow Pets (@mmspets) on Oct 12, 2017 at 6:58am PDT

Sunday fun day!!! #mmspets #barerock #gwl #findyourwild #packrules

A post shared by Me & My Shadow Pets (@mmspets) on Aug 21, 2017 at 1:21pm PDT

Petey is definitely bounding over the rainbow bridge.

This old man (13.5!) still runs like a pup. #mmspets #oesr #fosterfailure #peteymac

A post shared by Me & My Shadow Pets (@mmspets) on Sep 9, 2017 at 5:30pm PDT

Photos @mmspets/Instagram