Farewell to the Dog That Launched a Thousand Pets

July 24, 2019 9:37 AM

The family dog of Gideon Kidd, the 10-year-old Iowa boy behind the popular Twitter account I've Pet That Dog, has gotten his last pets. "Walter loved everything except baths and vegetables. He had the ability to swallow a cheeseburger in one gulp, while simultaneously spitting out the lettuce and tomato intact. He would do anything for bacon or ham."

The skunk-stunk, heartworm-positive mutt was found by Gideon's mom while driving through rural Missouri, when she was still pregnant with Gideon. The vet declared, "he's a really good dog. Look at how good he is!"

And he was.

Previously

posted by drlith (16 comments total)

He had the ability to swallow a cheeseburger in one gulp, while simultaneously spitting out the lettuce and tomato intact.

I'm sad I missed my chance to learn this important skill.

He sounds like he was a wonderful part of the family.

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posted by overhauser at 9:47 AM on July 24, 2019

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posted by nubs at 9:52 AM on July 24, 2019

Gideon's account is one of the routinely good things on Twitter and in life.

Good dog, Walter. Good dog.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 10:03 AM on July 24, 2019 [12 favorites]

This made me tear up when I saw it yesterday. There’s just something about a boy and his dog...

Also, the I’ve Pet That Dog Twitter account is hands down one of the best things on the internet right now. Never fails to make me smile. It’s good and pure and I love when it shows up in my feed.
posted by bookmammal at 10:29 AM on July 24, 2019 [4 favorites]

"Walter loved everything except baths and vegetables. He had the ability to swallow a cheeseburger in one gulp, while simultaneously spitting out the lettuce and tomato intact. He would do anything for bacon or ham."

I was this dog for the first thirty years of my life.
posted by srboisvert at 10:30 AM on July 24, 2019

RIP Walter.

Gideon, to many more dog pets in your future.
posted by sallybrown at 10:41 AM on July 24, 2019

Oh, goodness. What a good dog. 14/10.

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posted by allthinky at 11:14 AM on July 24, 2019

They're all good dogs, and Walter was no exception.
posted by Faint of Butt at 11:28 AM on July 24, 2019 [2 favorites]

What Faint of Butt said.

Deepest sympathies to all who knew, loved, and petted Walter.
posted by terrapin at 12:06 PM on July 24, 2019

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posted by Countess Elena at 1:37 PM on July 24, 2019

Remembering a very good dog is always a blessing.

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posted by Archer25 at 2:24 PM on July 24, 2019 [1 favorite]

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posted by Johnny Wallflower at 4:00 PM on July 24, 2019

What a lovely and sad story. May we all be lucky enough to be loved by a dog.
posted by Sequined Ballet Flats at 5:06 PM on July 24, 2019 [1 favorite]

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posted by bryon at 9:36 PM on July 24, 2019

My partner texted me yesterday to say "Yer doggie's a weirdo. She waits in the rain for you."

The little old gal lay in the pouring rain waiting for me to get back from work. Heaven forbid she wait just 12 feet away under the porch shelter. As others have said before and many will say forever more, we do not deserve dogs.
posted by elkevelvet at 7:46 AM on July 25, 2019 [2 favorites]

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posted by annieb at 11:27 AM on July 25, 2019