Mark Woods stole the nation's heart after he appealed for fellow dog lovers to join him on Walnut's last walk
Hordes of well-wishers and other dogs joined Mark and his family on a wind swept Porth beach in Newquay
Whippet was carried across the beach as his health has deteriorated and he is not able to walk any longer
Walnut, due to be put down at 11.30am this morning, treated to burgers and custard cremes in his final days
Hundreds of animal lovers turned out to support a heartbroken dog owner as he took his beloved pet on its final walk.
Mark Woods stole the nation's heart after he appealed for fellow dog lovers to join him on his last walk with Walnut, the 18-year-old whippet he has had since a puppy.
Hordes of well-wishers, many accompanied by their own dogs, joined Mark and his family on a wind swept Porth beach in Newquay for Walnut's emotional farewell.
Mark carried Walnut across the beach in Cornwall as his health has deteriorated in old age and he's no longer able to walk.
Covered in a chequered blanket to keep him warm, strangers comforted Walnut and children came over to stroke the dog as they strolled past the water's edge.
Before his best friend's death, Mark wanted to take him for a stroll on his favourite beach for his final farewell. Despite Mark's two marriages and three engagements, he's had Walnut all the way through.
The dog owner has stolen the nation's heart, including TV presenters Eammon Holmes and Ruth Langsford, who had to hold back tears yesterday when Walnut appeared on ITV's This Morning show.
Mark and Walnut's story has been shared thousands of times, and people from all over the UK have sent their support.
Speaking before the walk, Mark said: 'I think that all pets are special to everybody, I've got three other whippets, but there's something special about Walnut.
'He's been with me through some very difficult times in my life and he's just got me through them, both physically and mentally.
'We've shared a lot of dramas, a lot of fun and a lot of shenanigans and he's exceptionally special. Eighteen years is a long time to build up a bond of friendship. We normally walk alone on the beach of a morning.
'It just felt the right thing to do to share a walk for a change, we have the most beautiful beaches in Newquay, a lovely community here and a lot of people have dogs.'
Mark has spoiled Walnut with his favourite treats, burgers and custard cremes, in his final days.
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We in the UK love our pets especially our dogs
If we saw dogs being maimed and killed in the Syria/Iraq fighting there would be a public outcry
