A Mississippi teenager is being hailed as a hero for helping an elderly man bury his beloved 15 year-old dog.

Sam Coleman-Dancer, 19, was working at an Ace Hardware store in Cleveland, Missouri two weeks ago when an elderly man walked in wanting to buy a shovel. As Sam helped him find the right shovel, the man told him about how he had been diagnosed with cancer but needed the shovel to bury his dog of 15 years.

“He told me about the times they spent together, walking and playing fetch. He said his dog had always been there for him. He was very emotional, and it touched me,” Sam said. “I told him I would like to come to his house after work and help him bury his dog. His eyes opened wide. It was amazing. He said, ‘I can’t let you do that. Are you sure?’ I said, ‘I’m positive. As soon as I’m off work, I’ll head right over.'”

Sure enough, Sam kept his promise and headed right to the man’s house after he got off work.

“Something he said stuck with me,” Sam said. “He told me that great things come to you at unexpected times and we both smiled. Definitely something we will both remember. He asked me if there was anyway he could repay me and I told him ‘yeah, by taking a picture with me’. Because I know that picture is something I will cherish forever.”

People all over the country are now praising Sam for his kindness in helping this elderly man!

Anyone who has ever lost a dog knows how difficult this situation can be for someone, so we applaud this teenager for going above and beyond to make things easier for a grieving man in need.

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