Internet Sobbing at Heartbreaking Sign Next to Dog Toys at Beach

A man’s trip to the beach has taken an unexpected turn as he came across a memorial with a heartbreaking sign.

Racking up more than 680,000 views, the clip shared to TikTok account @sans.tv shows the man’s hand reach into a wooden basket and grab a tennis ball from a bunch. But these aren’t just any old balls; they once belonged to Ryley, a golden retriever who passed away on May 23.

Her grieving owner printed out a sheet of paper that included a photo of the dog and the following note. It read: “Please take one of Ryley’s balls in her memory. Enjoy each and every day you have together!!”

The American Kennel Club (AKC) says the average life span of a golden retriever is 10 to 12 years. These playful dogs are known for being friendly and open to strangers. Some might say that Ryley’s spirit lives on at the beach.

During the footage that has over 75,000 likes, the TikTok user can be seen throwing the ball for his parent’s dog Miley. They are then joined by another pup who “showed interest”. The text layered over the clip reads that the owner attempted to give the ball back to him, but he said: “It’s not ours. It was Ryley’s, now it’s your guys.”

In the comments, the man wrote: “Ryley wasn’t mine: we just got to play with one of her tennis balls in her honor.”

The concept of spreading joy in Ryley’s memory has left the internet in tears. At the time of writing, there are more than 3,100 comments.

“You can tell Riley [sic] was a loved dog,” said one user.

Another wrote: “That’s so sad but sweet bless Riley.”

“I just know Riley is playing fetch in heaven while watching everyone play fetch with their dogs,” added a third commenter.

There is no doubting that the balls will entertain many owners and their pets, but dogs are unique, says the AKC. Some canines prefer squishy and squeaky toys as they simulate prey, while others prefer harder ones to chew on, and there are those like Ryley who enjoy chasing and retrieving a ball.

The AKC website has also pointed out that toy preferences can evolve over time. Puppies often favor rubber chew toys during teething, while senior dogs usually prefer softer toys that are easy to hold and tug. As adults, canines might need more durable toys like thick ropes or hard rubber balls. Owners are encouraged to supervise their pets with toys if they have a tendency to destroy them because swallowing bits could be harmful.

Newsweek reached out to @sans.tv for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.

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