Man had to give up his beloved dog while battling cancer — 2 years later, miracle reunites them

There’s nothing more heartbreaking than being separated from a beloved pet, but sometimes life situations force us to say goodbye. That was the case for one man, who had to surrender his dog after being diagnosed with cancer.

But two years later, fate brought the two back together again…

In May 2021, Michael Nayler of Ontario, Canada was diagnosed with intestinal cancer. His health rapidly deteriorated, to the point he was no longer able to care for his English mastiff, Minnie.

Nayler made a heartbreaking choice no dog owner should have to make: he surrendered her to the Humane Society of Greater Niagara, hoping to give the dog a better life.

“It wasn’t fair to her,” he told CBC. “She wasn’t getting her runs in and playing outside … I could see a change in her.”

The shelter was moved by Nayler’s selfless sacrifice on behalf of his dog. Minnie had a hard time adjusting to life in the shelter, missing her owner. Nayler continued to check in on his dog to make sure she was okay, until one day Minnie was adopted.

Nayler was devastated, and lost hope thinking his dog was gone for good. He says he fell into a depression and stopped going to treatments. “That’s when I just basically gave up because I knew there was no getting her back,” he said.

But that adoption didn’t work out: months later she was returned to the shelter and placed up for adoption once again. With a second chance, Nayler resolved to get better so he could reunite with his dog.

“When I saw a picture of her back at the shelter, I went from bedridden to gaining some energy,” he told Newsweek. “I started seeing my doctors again and after a month, I was looking and feeling better than I had been in the last two years.”

Miraculously, his health began to improve and in October, two years after surrendering Minnie, his cancer went into remission. The first thing he did after getting that encouraging news was to go over to the shelter and get his dog back.

The reunion was transformational for both of them. Minnie had been sad and reserved during her time at the shelter, but quickly came back to life at the sight of her old friend.

The Humane Society of Greater Niagara caught the sweet reunion on video. For them, it was an emotional happy ending for a dog who had been in their care for two years.

@hsgniagara

And now for the original. The reunion of Minnie & her dad. Tears of joy all around. We will selfishly miss Minnie here at the shleter but are beyod happy for her & her owner! Happy life to you two❤️

♬ original sound – HSGN

“After 750 days and a failed adoption, Minnie is back where she belongs,” the Humane Society wrote on TikTok. “She has her dad, a forever home, and a special place in all our hearts. We’ll miss her at HSGN, but knowing she’s finally home fills us with joy. Here’s to Minnie and her dad, a love that never gave up.”

Now, Minnie is back home, just in time for her 17th birthday. The two old friends have been making up for lost time.

“When I finally got to hold her in my arms for the first time in two years, there are no words to describe that feeling,” Nayler told Newsweek. “That was the best drive home ever, and she’s settled in like she never left. Our house in finally a home again, Minnie makes any obstacle vanish just with her presence.”

“It’s just like she hasn’t even left,” he told CBC, saying that Minnie saved his life.

@hsgniagara

‼️WORTH THE READ‼️ Minnie’s owner was diagnosed with cancer, and right by his side was Minnie, his loyal protector. When he couldn’t leave his bed for over 36 hours during treatment, Minnie didn’t leave him for even a second. She was his constant; his source of comfort in the hardest days. But as the treatments progressed, his health worsened, and he had to make a heart-wrenching decision—to find someone who could care for her when he no longer could. Minnie came to Humane Society of Greater Niagara in October 2022 through our humanitarian boarding program, sponsored by PetSmart Charities. About a month later, with his health declining, her owner selflessly agreed to surrender her, wanting Minnie to have a better life even if it meant breaking his own heart. For the first time since the day she was born, Minnie was separated from him. And even while he battled cancer, he thought of her every single day, carrying her dog tags in his wallet and visiting the shelter just to catch a glimpse of her from afar. This August, everything changed. He got the news he had prayed for—he was in remission. His first thought? Minnie. He went to our website, clinging to the hope she was still here. When he saw her face staring back at him on the screen, tears filled his eyes. He immediately started preparing, moving into a new home with a big backyard, planning every detail so Minnie would never have to spend another day in the shelter. After 750 days and a failed adoption, Minnie is back where she belongs. She has her dad, a forever home, and a special place in all our hearts. We’ll miss her at HSGN, but knowing she’s finally home fills us with joy. Here’s to Minnie and her dad, a love that never gave up. A heartfelt thank you to our amazing staff, devoted volunteers, and generous partners at PetSmart Charities and U Need It Typed, whose unwavering support helped Minnie on every step of her journey. Her story wouldn’t have been possible without each of you, and we’re grateful to everyone who cheered Minnie on from near and far. ❤🐾 #humanesociety #animalrescue #rescue #adoption #rescuedogsarethebestdogs #happy #niagararegion #share #repost #doglife #donate #thankyou

♬ original sound – max📼

We can’t imagine the pain this man went through, having to give up his dog while battling cancer, but we’re so glad that these two have finally been reunited after two years 🥹🙏

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