The senior dog recently adopted by Luke Bryan and his family has died. Bryan’s wife Caroline shared the sad news on Feb. 20 in an Instagram post.
“If the kindest souls were rewarded with the longest lives, dogs would outlive us all,” Caroline started off the post, sharing a series of photos of the dog, Poochie, enjoying his final days at the Bryans’ home. “My heart is sad but full to post this…our sweet Prince Poochie has passed away.”
“He lived 18 years and was loved by so many people,” Caroline added in the Instagram post. “My kids especially loved to hear him snore when he slept!” Included in the post was a video of Poochie snoring away in his dog bed.
Bryan also thanked the rescue group, Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue, which is where they found Poochie.
“Thank you @proverbs1210animalrescue for giving our family the opportunity to love this sweet dog.”
It had only been a few short weeks since the Bryan family adopted Poochie from the animal rescue group. According to the rescue organization, Poochie was an owner-surrender after a member of his former family became allergic to dogs. Animal Control brought him to Proverbs 12:10 and the rescue group had expected he would stay with them until he died, as senior dogs are usually overlooked in the adoption process.
“We pulled 18-year-old Poochie from a shelter after his family surrendered him due to becoming allergic,” Lavonne Redferrin, Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue’s director and founder, told People. “We often step in and pull seniors, sickly and injured animals who are likely to be overlooked.”
However, the Bryan family saw Poochie on social media and promptly applied to adopt him on Feb. 9 and, soon after, officially made him a part of their family.
On Tuesday, Feb. 12, the 42-year-old country star tweeted that he is “loving (his) new buddy.”
Loving my new buddy https://t.co/rAD9Nat7PY
— Luke Bryan (@LukeBryanOnline) February 13, 2019
“We are so thrilled for Poochie and know he is in great hands,” Redferrin continued. “Caroline Bryan has graciously given us updates on our sweet boy. Their adopting this sweet old guy will allow us the chance to save yet another.”
I don’t know of a soul who doesn’t love a happy ending. Well, get ready for your Monday smile because this is as good as…
“While we would have loved for Poochie to have lived another 18 years, we are grateful for the time we gave him with our foster, Lacey Marie and with his adoptive family, the Bryans,” the rescue group wrote in a Facebook post. “Poochie enjoyed his time with the Bryan family. He even felt well enough to stroll in their pastures and be a dog again.”
“He sadly passed away a few days ago, but he was loved and passed in his sleep on a big comfy bed. He is now buried on the Bryan farm amid other beloved pets,”the rescue group concluded in the Facebook post.
