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By Liz O'Connell
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The moment a senior dog enjoyed her backyard for the last time, surrounded by her family, left viewers online sobbing.
Dana Lewandowski and her family welcomed home their golden retriever, Nala, nearly 14 years ago. The two grew up together, forming a bond she didn't know was possible between humans and pets until Nala.
"[Pets] really become family," she told Newsweek.
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But, as all pet owners experience, Nala's time with the family was coming to an end.
Lewandowski went to her childhood home to spend Nala's last moments together. The rest of the family gathered, surrounding her with love.
In a TikTok video posted to the account @honey.andherhumans on April 12, Lewandowski's dad picked up Nala and brought her into the backyard one last time. The backyard was her favorite place, filled with frisbee games, playing in snow and leaf piles, rolling in mud, and peaceful Sunday mornings.
"At home, our backyard was one of her safe places," Lewandowski said. "We quickly nicknamed it 'Nala's Kingdom' from the way she would gaze out into the yard so peacefully from the deck."
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Emotions came pouring out as Nala wagged her tail and smiled. To Lewandowski, it looked as if Nala knew her time had come and she was letting the rest of the family know she would be alright. This moment became a "core memory" for her and her family.
Reflecting on their time together, Lewandowski's father and sister said Nala was the glue that held the family together. She taught them how accurate the phrase "a man's best friend" can be.
"Nala made me a better person," her dad said.
And while the family goes through the grieving process, they find peace in knowing Nala left the home better than before, as she shared her love and positivity.
"These comments on the video have been overwhelming in the best way, and I think a lot of people would really find peace and beauty in the moment," she said.
TikTok viewers flooded the comment section, offering their condolences to the family, and as of Tuesday, the clip amassed over 4.8 million views.
"She's gonna cross that rainbow bridge, remembering all the kids she saw grow up," one person wrote.
"She wasn't looking at the lawn, she was facing her babies who have all grown up," another viewer said.
"Ohhh, your dad's face as he's carrying her. That's his baby. Rest easy sweet girl, you were clearly so loved!!" a commenter said.
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