We often wish for more time with our pets, but sadly, that time is always too short. When the inevitable farewell comes, it helps to have something tangible to hold onto—a favorite toy, a clay paw print, or most importantly, photographs. Every pet owner has a collection of pictures capturing their furry friend’s life.
When Shelby Parks and her sister, Savannah, were preparing to say goodbye to their beloved Golden Retriever, Boomer, Shelby decided to create a meaningful keepsake. She put together a photo album filled with Boomer’s happiest moments, and shared it with Savannah in a heartfelt TikTok video that has garnered over 4.5 million views. In the video, Savannah, deeply moved, rests her head on Boomer as he lies beside her on his dog bed.
Savannah's caption on the video reads, “The one thing I wanted for Christmas was for my sister to be able to open her Christmas gift with Boomer while he's still here. So grateful for the answered prayer. This is a moment I will never forget and the best gift I could ask for.”
In a follow-up video, Shelby explains that the album was made using photos from Boomer’s Instagram account, which Shelby started as a “COVID hobby.” The account celebrated every little moment, with Boomer taking part in both major and quirky holidays like Rubber Ducky Day, Squirrel Appreciation Day, and Daisy Day.
The photos are nothing short of adorable.
Shelby shares, “If this book doesn’t show just how great of a dog Boomer is… We’ve had so much fun together. It’s literally been like having an American Girl doll as a dog. He is one of the biggest blessings in my entire life and nine-and-a-half years is not nearly enough. But as you can see, we’ve had the most amazing adventures together.”
Savannah later shared with Good Morning America that Boomer was able to spend his last Christmas with his family before passing away two days later. While the loss was incredibly difficult, the support from their community has been comforting.
“People relating to that pending pain was just such a great resource during that time—and even now, honestly,” Savannah said.
In a touching Instagram post, Shelby reflected, “There’s nothing on the internet quite like a family of dog lovers.”
For pet owners, this story is a powerful reminder to always take that extra photo, share one more cuddle, and remind your pets how much they are loved. While time may never feel like enough, those precious memories keep their spirit alive forever.