Smiley, You Will Forever Be in Our Hearts
You overcame countless obstacles to bring joy and light into our lives, reminding us of the incredible happiness that animals bring.
Sadly, one of Canada’s most beloved and recognizable faces has crossed the rainbow bridge. After a three-month battle with cancer, Smiley—a blind golden retriever who dedicated nearly 15 years as a therapy dog—was peacefully put to rest.
The day before saying her final goodbye, Smiley’s owner, Joanne George, shared on Instagram, “It’s the only way to repay all he’s done for us. We’ll release him tomorrow. He’s had enough.”
According to Global News, Smiley had comforted countless individuals in hospitals near his home in Stouffville, Ontario. He brought joy to elderly residents in nursing homes, children with autism, and patients of all ages. But his impact stretched far beyond Canada—he was loved by supporters from around the world, including his 200,000 Instagram followers.
Among all of Smiley’s friends, George’s young son, Shepard, will miss him the most, calling him his “real-life stuffed animal.” After Smiley passed, George shared a touching photo of Shepard visiting his beloved dog’s final resting place.
“A boy and his dog must part ways eventually,” she wrote. “Shepard understands that the pain he feels now is the price of loving someone with all his heart. Like me, he has no regrets. The pain is worth all that Smiley gave us.”
Months earlier, George had shared Smiley’s heartbreaking cancer diagnosis on Facebook:
“It’s not easy to write this… They found a mass/tumor on Smiley’s stomach and one on his liver. The dog I thought would live forever doesn’t have much time left with us. We are obviously shocked and devastated. He has been so happy lately, full of energy, which makes this even harder to accept.”
To honor Smiley’s extraordinary life, CBC Toronto created a tribute film that deeply moved his fans across the world.
One commenter perfectly captured the impact Smiley had on so many:
“With Smiley’s passing, and seeing the love and kindness people have shown him, it reassures me that there are still wonderful, caring people in this world.”
Even in his absence, Smiley wouldn’t want his friends to be sad. If you need a heartwarming rescue story to lift your spirits, click the link below!
