'He went very quickly and in my arms': Walnut the dog's heartbroken owner says his beloved 18-year-old whippet was put to sleep minutes after emotional last walk on the beach with hundreds of supportive animal lovers
The heartbroken owner of Walnut has said his final goodbye to his beloved whippet after having him put to sleep minutes after hundreds of animal lovers joined him on the beach on the dog's last ever walk.
Mark Woods stole the nation's heart after he appealed for fellow dog lovers to join him on his last walk with Walnut, the 18-year-old whippet he has had since a puppy.
Posting on Facebook shortly after the lovable pet had been put down, Mark described how Walnut 'went very quickly and in my arms', with his three other whippets in attendance.
Hordes of well-wishers, many accompanied by their own dogs, joined Mark and his family earlier in the day on a wind swept Porth beach in Newquay for Walnut's emotional farewell.
Mark carried Walnut across the beach in Cornwall as his health has deteriorated in old age and he's no longer able to walk.
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Hundreds of animal lovers turned out to support a heartbroken dog owner as he took his beloved pet on its final walk
Posting on Facebook shortly after the lovable pet had been put down, Mark described how Walnut 'went very quickly and in my arms', with his three other whippets in attendance
Mark carried Walnut across the beach in Cornwall as his health has deteriorated in old age and he's no longer able to walk
="People queue up to get a glimpse of or stroke Walnut"
Walnut had to carried by owner Mark due to his deteriorating health"
People queue up to get a glimpse of or stroke Walnut (left), who had to carried by owner Mark due to his deteriorating health
The dog owner has stolen the nation's heart, including TV presenters Eammon Holmes and Ruth Langsford, who had to hold back tears yesterday when Walnut appeared on ITV's This Morning show.
Mark and Walnut's story has been shared thousands of times, and people from all over the UK have sent their support.
Mark Woods won the hearts of millions across the UK after appearing on morning television to talk about Walnut's last walk
Newquay residents show their support as Mark Woods takes his dog Walnut for a final walk on Porth beach
Mark Woods stole the nation's heart after he appealed for fellow dog lovers to join him on his last walk with Walnut, the 18-year-old whippet he has had since a puppy
Owners and dogs join Walnut on final walk at Porth Beach
Covered in a chequered blanket to keep him warm, strangers comforted Walnut and children came over to stroke the dog as they strolled past the waters edge
="Walnut is taken into the water of Porth Beach for one last time by owner Mark"
Walnut is taken into the water of Porth Beach for one last time by owner Mark (left), while he is greeted by children and other dogs (right)
Dog owners from across the county brought their own pets along for the final walk, with many jumping in and out of the water
Mark Woods first appealed to other pet owners to join him via a message on Facebook, before appearing on terrestrial television yesterday
Speaking before the walk, Mark said: 'I think that all pets are special to everybody, I've got three other whippets, but there's something special about Walnut.
'He's been with me through some very difficult times in my life and he's just got me through them, both physically and mentally.
'We've shared a lot of dramas, a lot of fun and a lot of shenanigans and he's exceptionally special. Eighteen years is a long time to build up a bond of friendship. We normally walk alone on the beach of a morning.
'It just felt the right thing to do to share a walk for a change, we have the most beautiful beaches in Newquay, a lovely community here and a lot of people have dogs.'
Mark has spoiled Walnut with his favourite treats, burgers and custard cremes, in his final days.
The dog owner has stolen the nation's heart, including TV presenters Eammon Holmes and Ruth Langsford, who had to hold back tears yesterday when Walnut appeared on ITV's This Morning show
Mark Woods kisses and holds on to Walnut back home in the garden before taking him to Porth beach for a final walk
Ruth Langsford fights back tears over 'final walk' dog Walnut
Before his best friend's death, Mark wanted to take him for a stroll on his favourite beach for his final farewell. Despite Mark's two marriages and three engagements, he's had Walnut all the way through
="Mark Woods' wife Lisa holds on to the 18-year-old whippet Walnut, who has been with Mark ever since he was a puppy"
- Mark Woods stole the nation's heart after he appealed for fellow dog lovers to join him on Walnut's last walk
- Hordes of well-wishers and other dogs joined Mark and his family on a wind swept Porth beach in Newquay
- Whippet was carried across the beach as his health has deteriorated and he is not able to walk any longer
- Walnut, due to be put down at 11.30am this morning, treated to burgers and custard cremes in his final days
The heartbroken owner of Walnut has said his final goodbye to his beloved whippet after having him put to sleep minutes after hundreds of animal lovers joined him on the beach on the dog's last ever walk.
Mark Woods stole the nation's heart after he appealed for fellow dog lovers to join him on his last walk with Walnut, the 18-year-old whippet he has had since a puppy.
Posting on Facebook shortly after the lovable pet had been put down, Mark described how Walnut 'went very quickly and in my arms', with his three other whippets in attendance.
Hordes of well-wishers, many accompanied by their own dogs, joined Mark and his family earlier in the day on a wind swept Porth beach in Newquay for Walnut's emotional farewell.
Mark carried Walnut across the beach in Cornwall as his health has deteriorated in old age and he's no longer able to walk.
Scroll down for video
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Hundreds of animal lovers turned out to support a heartbroken dog owner as he took his beloved pet on its final walk
You must log in or register to see images
Posting on Facebook shortly after the lovable pet had been put down, Mark described how Walnut 'went very quickly and in my arms', with his three other whippets in attendance
You must log in or register to see images
Mark carried Walnut across the beach in Cornwall as his health has deteriorated in old age and he's no longer able to walk
You must log in or register to see images
="People queue up to get a glimpse of or stroke Walnut"
You must log in or register to see images
Walnut had to carried by owner Mark due to his deteriorating health"
People queue up to get a glimpse of or stroke Walnut (left), who had to carried by owner Mark due to his deteriorating health
The dog owner has stolen the nation's heart, including TV presenters Eammon Holmes and Ruth Langsford, who had to hold back tears yesterday when Walnut appeared on ITV's This Morning show.
Mark and Walnut's story has been shared thousands of times, and people from all over the UK have sent their support.
You must log in or register to see images
Mark Woods won the hearts of millions across the UK after appearing on morning television to talk about Walnut's last walk
You must log in or register to see images
Newquay residents show their support as Mark Woods takes his dog Walnut for a final walk on Porth beach
You must log in or register to see images
Mark Woods stole the nation's heart after he appealed for fellow dog lovers to join him on his last walk with Walnut, the 18-year-old whippet he has had since a puppy
Owners and dogs join Walnut on final walk at Porth Beach
You must log in or register to see images
Covered in a chequered blanket to keep him warm, strangers comforted Walnut and children came over to stroke the dog as they strolled past the waters edge
You must log in or register to see images
="Walnut is taken into the water of Porth Beach for one last time by owner Mark"
You must log in or register to see images
Walnut is taken into the water of Porth Beach for one last time by owner Mark (left), while he is greeted by children and other dogs (right)
You must log in or register to see images
Dog owners from across the county brought their own pets along for the final walk, with many jumping in and out of the water
You must log in or register to see images
Mark Woods first appealed to other pet owners to join him via a message on Facebook, before appearing on terrestrial television yesterday
Speaking before the walk, Mark said: 'I think that all pets are special to everybody, I've got three other whippets, but there's something special about Walnut.
'He's been with me through some very difficult times in my life and he's just got me through them, both physically and mentally.
'We've shared a lot of dramas, a lot of fun and a lot of shenanigans and he's exceptionally special. Eighteen years is a long time to build up a bond of friendship. We normally walk alone on the beach of a morning.
'It just felt the right thing to do to share a walk for a change, we have the most beautiful beaches in Newquay, a lovely community here and a lot of people have dogs.'
Mark has spoiled Walnut with his favourite treats, burgers and custard cremes, in his final days.
You must log in or register to see images
The dog owner has stolen the nation's heart, including TV presenters Eammon Holmes and Ruth Langsford, who had to hold back tears yesterday when Walnut appeared on ITV's This Morning show
You must log in or register to see images
Mark Woods kisses and holds on to Walnut back home in the garden before taking him to Porth beach for a final walk
Ruth Langsford fights back tears over 'final walk' dog Walnut
You must log in or register to see images
Before his best friend's death, Mark wanted to take him for a stroll on his favourite beach for his final farewell. Despite Mark's two marriages and three engagements, he's had Walnut all the way through
You must log in or register to see images
="Mark Woods' wife Lisa holds on to the 18-year-old whippet Walnut, who has been with Mark ever since he was a puppy"
