Kelly O’Connell will forever cherish her wedding day for numerous reasons. Firstly, it is a day filled with unbridled joy, symbolizing the union between her and her beloved best friend.
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On the flip side, she had to bid farewell to a beloved friend named Charlie. Charlie Bear, a mixed breed black lab who was 15 years old, had been diagnosed with a brain tumor five months before the wedding. Despite his inability to stand, Charlie made his way down the grassy aisle during the ceremony. However, he needed assistance from O’Connell’s sister, Katie Lloyd, who carried him down the pathway and positioned him in front of O’Connell and her new spouse, James Garvin.
O’Connell first met Charlie Bear when the adorable pup was just 12 weeks old. Apparently abandoned in a shopping cart outside a grocery store, he was luckily brought to the animal shelter where O’Connell happened to be working at the time. O’Connell was studying to become a veterinarian and had no intention of becoming a pet owner, but fate had other plans. It was love at first sight.
At the age of 19, O’Connell hadn’t been actively searching for a dog to care for. However, when he laid eyes on Charlie, he instantly knew that the pup was meant to be his companion forever. O’Connell and Charlie had both experienced a history of being on their own, so they shared a unique bond right from the start.
Despite showering Charlie with all the love and attention he could offer, O’Connell couldn’t provide him with a family. That is, until he met James and his two sons. Recognizing that Charlie deserved a loving family environment, O’Connell knew he had to ensure that everyone would get along. Fortunately, Charlie immediately developed a deep fondness for the boys, and they reciprocated the feeling.
From that point forward, O’Connell, James, and the boys became one big happy family, showering Charlie with all the love and care he could ever desire. It was a heartwarming realization for O’Connell, as he finally found a home where Charlie could truly thrive and be surrounded by adoring loved ones.
Charlie Bear received a diagnosis of a brain tumor in April after experiencing a seizure while out for a walk. The prognosis was not promising. Just a week before the wedding, Charlie endured five seizures and appeared to be in significant distress. O’Connell and Garvin made arrangements to euthanize him. However, in the week leading up to the wedding, Charlie miraculously experienced no seizures and showed no difficulty with walking. It was as if he was a completely different dog.
O’Connell reminisced, “Charlie was my dependable running partner for my marathon training. He would effortlessly run 20 miles with me; he absolutely loved it. It was during an April run when he had his first seizure, leading to the discovery of the brain tumor. My heart shattered into pieces upon learning the news. The week before the wedding, he had five seizures, and we contemplated ending his suffering. But something incredible happened; he started improving, so we decided to wait. And seeing the sheer joy on his face that day made every minute of our wait worthwhile. He truly wanted to be there, and I am immensely grateful that he was able to join us.”
On the first day of September, amidst the heartwarming union of O’Connell and Garvin, their beloved Charlie Bear, accompanied by one of their other five furry companions, strolled down the aisle. Witnessing this sentimental moment, O’Connell was overcome with emotions and shed tears of joy. She shared, “As Charlie Bear made his way towards me, my emotions completely overwhelmed me. James and I held onto him tightly, repeatedly expressing our gratitude for his presence. His blissful smile radiated immense happiness, despite his deteriorating health.” Sadly, just nine days after celebrating their wedding, Charlie Bear departed this world, leaving behind cherished memories of their special day.
