People left in tears after loyal dog is pictured walking behind owner's coffin
People have been left heartbroken over an image of a dog proving its unconditional love as she walked behind her owner's coffin at her funeral.
The scene looked like something from the most heart-wrenching of dog movies, but is made all the more poignant by the fact it's entirely real.
Margo Magan passed away on 30 December, 2022 at the impressive age of 94, and her family said their final goodbyes in a funeral service on 2 January.
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Her son, Mike, paid tribute to his mum in a heartfelt post on Twitter in which he described her as a mother of 12, a champion swimmer, a top golfer, the 'first female president of a golf club in Ireland', and a 'legend'.
Margo became Longford Golf Club Lady Captain in 1971, and the First Lady President of the club in 1996. According to Mike, his mum kept fit into her elder years and even enjoyed a Christmas day swim while she was in her 90s.
Margo's two-legged family members weren't the only ones paying their respects following her passing, as an image shared by Mike showed her dog, Bessie, leading mourners to Killashee Cemetery, County Longford, Ireland.
The image, taken by Mike's niece, Tamara, showed Bessie walking on a lead behind the hearse which contained her owner's coffin.
In his tribute to Margo, Mike wrote: "She loved her dog."
The image has resonated with thousands of Twitter users and quickly received a wealth of likes and comments from those expressing their condolences to Margo's family.
Responding to Mike's tweet with a heartbreak emoji, one Twitter user wrote: "What a picture, and by the sounds of it - what a woman! Condolences to you & your family, Mike. May she RIP."
Another commented: "This photo just appeared on my timeline ... so poignant, so sad ... but what an amazing photo !"
Longford Golf Club shared its own tribute to Margo as it described her as one of its 'most incredible women' in a post on Facebook, which explained she had been a member of the club since 1952.
"Having been a National and Olympic panel swimmer and a National table tennis winner, she put all her sporting skills into golf after marrying John in 1948," the tribute reads.
"She was a most extraordinary woman who combined golf with being mother of 12 children and a busy farming housewife. She played single figure golf for all of her playing career and her name is etched on every perpetual Cup and Trophy in the Club."
The post went on to say Margo would be remembered as 'Longford's most outstanding golf personality of our time'.
"We are left with a marvellous legacy of memories to relish," it added.
Emily Brown