Couple Takes Dog with Dementia to Public Park for His 'Last Day' (Exclusive)

NEED TO KNOW

Coeli Fortun was a teenager when she adopted her shih tzu, Manolo, in Manila, Philippines
The 29-year-old, now living in Toronto, tells PEOPLE he was “goofy and silly, with his tongue always sticking out, and he had a way of making everyone around him smile”
On Oct. 2, 2025, Fortun had to say goodbye to her 15-year-old companion after he was diagnosed with canine dementia

For 15 years, Coeli Fortun’s life had been intertwined with that of her beloved shih tzu, Manolo.

When Fortun first laid eyes on him, she was just 14, and Manolo wasn’t even supposed to be up for adoption, as he was already partially blind in one eye and considered unfit to be rehomed.

“To this day, I swear I heard 'Happy Together' by The Turtles playing in my head when we locked eyes,” she tells PEOPLE exclusively.

From that moment on, Manolo became part of every chapter of Fortun’s life.

In 2022, Fortun moved to Canada with her partner of 10 years to pursue their post-graduate studies. Taking Manolo and his best friend, Snuffles the cat, wasn’t up for debate.

The four of them built a new rhythm together, finding comfort in each other amid the bustle of everyday life. In February 2025, however, Fortun and her partner, Sean, began to notice changes in Manolo’s behavior.

“My partner and I were asleep when Manolo suddenly began screaming,” the 29-year-old recalls. “He calmed down when we held him, and my partner gently massaged his neck in small circular motions until he drifted back to sleep. But soon, he began yelping during the daytime too.”

At first, they thought it might be a back problem, since shih tzus are prone to spinal issues like Intervertebral Disc Disease. Concerned, they took him to the vet.

Although Manolo’s bloodwork and X-rays came back normal, the vet suggested something much harder to swallow: early-stage canine dementia.

In an effort to help slow down Manolo’s symptoms, they started him on dementia supplements, along with other senior-care treatments for his arthritis.

But time was not kind to Manolo. His paws began to knuckle and his back legs weakened. Despite this, Fortun and her partner refused to give up.

Weekly physiotherapy sessions became part of their routine, and to their relief, Manolo began to regain a bit of strength. Those small victories brought hope, the kind that makes every extra day feel like a gift.

They tried three different wheelchairs to find the perfect one, massaged his tired legs and took him on stroller walks so he could still feel the sun on his face. Friends joined in, showering him with treats and affection.

But even with all their care, Manolo’s condition continued to decline. He lost his sight and hearing, as well as developed degenerative myelopathy – a neurological disease that affects the spinal cord, and often a dog’s ability to walk.

“His whining and screaming became more frequent and intense, and eventually turned into long, painful screams,” Fortun reveals. As a result, Fortun says that she and Sean could barely get any sleep, and the nights grew long and heavy.

The couple tried calming aids, pain medication and every supplement they could find, but nothing seemed to quiet Manolo’s distress.

“His spirit remained so strong, but his body was failing him,” Fortun explains. “What began as nightly sundowning from dementia & daytime screams of frustration, eventually became constant cries of pain and anxiety all throughout the day.”

Still, the couple faced it all “wholeheartedly,” refusing to give up on Manolo. Every tail wag, every bite of food felt like proof that he still wanted to stay. Yet deep down, they began to see the truth.

The turning point came when they filled out a quality-of-life assessment, realizing that love sometimes means knowing when to let go.

“That was the worst part. Watching such a happy, vibrant dog who loved using his legs, who loved seeing us, who loved hearing us call out for him, who loved playing with us… decline so quickly,” Fortun shares.

“Seeing the sweetest and most resilient dog, who was still so willing to try, get trapped in a body that no longer listened to him. His brain and body were no longer in sync, and it was extremely, extremely heartbreaking to witness.”

As Manolo’s dementia worsened, others began to notice too, and the couple realized “Manolo is living for us, not for himself.” The kindest thing they could do was to give him peace.

For his final week, Fortun and her partner decided Manolo deserved to be surrounded by love.

“Our focus shifted even more intentionally to what brought Manolo joy: being with us, being with friends and meeting new people,” Fortun says. “We painted with him, watched sunsets, spoiled him with all his favorite treats.”

The couple even rented a car and drove across town, visiting friends, family and the people who had cared for him, including vets, chiropractors and even photographers who had captured his happiest days.

“Everyone cried, but all noticed the same thing too, Manolo seemed peaceful for the first time in a very long while,” Fortun recalls.

On Oct. 2, Manolo’s last day, the couple took him to his favorite place – the park – and brought a sign that read: “It’s our dog’s last day. Give us some advice and him a treat (we brought lots).”

“Some strangers stared and said they were sorry; some just kept walking. But the ones who stopped… they were incredible,” Fortun admits.

“They hugged us, shared advice, talked about their own dogs that they lost or had to put down, and reassured us that Manolo would be welcomed in heaven by their furry companions.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Still, the loss hit hard, especially because, just a few months earlier, their 20-year-old cat, Snuffles, had passed away from cancer. Losing Manolo so soon after felt like losing the last piece of home.

To hold on to his memory, they made a cast of Manolo’s paws and saved vials of his fur. They created tributes for both Manolo and Snuffles, small tokens of the two pets that had filled their world with color.

In the quiet that followed, Fortun found comfort in creating what she calls a “safe space” for grief – a reminder that mourning a pet is real.