Dogs are known to be “man’s best friend.” They give us nothing but love and loyalty. For some people, dogs are not just their pets but also their emotional support. Just imagine all the benefits of having a dog, it’s amazing, right?

However, we all know that dogs do not live that long, unlike us humans. According to Wikipedia, the average lifespan of dogs,

“…varies widely among breeds, but for most, the median longevity, the age at which half the dogs in a population have died, and half are still alive, ranges from 10 to 13 years. Individual dogs may live well beyond the median of their breed.”

Consider yourself lucky if you have a dog that has lived or is living more than their average lifespan. One of these lucky people is Zach Braff.

He is an American actor, director, screenwriter, and producer.

He was best known for his role as J. D. on the television series Scrubs which aired from years 2001 to 2010.

Sadly, his dog named Roscoe died just recently.

He wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram to announce the passing of his beloved and long-time dog.

“Today I had to say goodbye to my best friend, Roscoe Braff. He made it 17 years!”

Braff, who is now 45 years old, also expressed how grateful he was to have had Roscoe as his dog. In the same post, he went on to encourage people to adopt a dog like what he did with Roscoe.

“I feel so lucky that we found each other. Adopt a dog. It was the best decision I ever made.”

He ended his message by saying,

“Goodbye, my old friend. We’ll catch up some other time.”

Braff’s girlfriend, Oscar-nominated actress, Florence Pugh, also penned a tribute to Roscoe.

In an Instagram post of her own, she wrote,

“The coolest of cool.
Goodnight sweet Roscoe. Thank you for all the love you gave and for all the kisses you treated me to.
I genuinely count myself lucky that I got to see such a beautiful friendship between a man and his dog.
RIP Roscoe 💋 02/10/20″

We can only imagine the immense pain the couple were and are still going through until this time. Losing an animal companion is just as painful as losing anyone that’s dear to your life.

Just like what Psychology Today wrote on their website,

“The death of a pet can be a truly traumatic experience and create a large void in our hearts and lives—comparable to losing a close family member or friend.”

Pets and how they change our lives.

A dog can be a lifesaver and a life-changer at the same time. They even play the most important role in some people’s lives.

“A pet is truly a gift that can change your life and bring you monumental happiness and gratitude. Pets teach you responsibility, patience, kindness, discipline, playfulness and, most importantly, unconditional love.”

Looks like the couple still has a reason to smile.

In their recent social media account posts, it appears that they still have a dog, a female, named Billie. Though we know that moving on is never going to be easy, at least they still have a furry friend to help them cope with all the sorrow and pain.

After all, dogs are one of the best sources of emotional support. They can sense if someone is depressed or having anxiety. We need, this especially during this time of pandemic where most of us are just at home.

Consider Braff’s message- if you have the time, visit a local animal shelter near you. And if you have the capability, then think about adopting one.

You are only not changing the dog’s life, but you are also changing yours.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: People, Instagram/zachbraff, Instagram/florencepugh, Psychology Today, Wikipedia