Why Burning Candle at Vet Has Woman in Tears: 'Worst Day of Someone's Life'

A woman taking her dog to the vet was stopped in her tracks when she noticed a candle burning, which had her in tears when she realized what it meant.

Samantha Marks, 30, had taken three-year-old Bailey—a beagle mix—for a routine checkup when she saw a devastating sign and began filming.

In a video posted to TikTok, which you can watch here, Marks zooms in on the candle and a picture next to it of a man nuzzling his head against his pet cat.

"When this candle is lit, someone here is saying goodbye to their pet," a note above the picture reads.

It goes on to ask: "Please help make this a little easier for them by speaking quietly and thinking good thoughts."

Marks, who lives in Orlando, Florida, wrote in her video caption: "Walked into the vet for Bailey's check up and immediately started bawling. Worst day of someone's life happening."

She went on to praise Banfield Pet Hospital for their "sweet gesture", even though it was "so sad."

Speaking to Newsweek, Marks explained she noticed the candle as she arrived at the front desk with Bailey, who was due to have some shots.

"I teared up instantly knowing someone in that small vet's office was having the worst day of their lives," she said.

"I often get sad thinking about the day my dog will pass away, even though she's only 3. Seeing the candle lit, although in terrible circumstances, made me feel like our Banfield location really cares."

She added: "I think the candle can only help in that situation. There's no good time for a pet to pass, but I just hope for as much peace as can be brought to the owner as possible in those final moments together."

The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) states that euthanasia at a vet's practice "provides a painless, peaceful end for a pet who would otherwise continue to suffer."

"If your pet is in pain, your main goal should be to minimize his suffering," the organization states, acknowledging that pet owners "often delay the moment of euthanasia in anticipation of grief."

Losing a pet is something Marks, like many animal lovers, has had to experience herself in the past.

"We've lost two family dogs in my life, and neither were easy," she said.

But her family's vet, like Banfield, made sure to give grieving owners and their pets something special at the end: in this case, Hershey's Kisses, "so no dog goes without having tried chocolate."

"I think that's also a beautiful nod to the pet and we could tell our dog enjoyed it a lot in his last moments," she said.

Marks' video has led to a huge outpouring of love on TikTok, where it has been viewed over one million times since being posted on April 28.

In the comments, hundreds of people shared their own stories of their final goodbye with their pet, with one recalling: "My vets' office had a secret exit for people grieving. It's hard having to face a whole waiting room of happy families."

"One of the worst feelings was realizing the light was on for us," one user wrote.

"What's even worse is when it's for you and the entire vets office is quiet when you walked out after hearing you wail," another said.

Marks told Newsweek: "I feel sad for the people commenting having negative experiences at their vets and I wish they were able to enjoy the final moments with their pets in peace.

"Every time I get a notification for that video it makes me wanna hug my girl Bailey and never let go. I feel for every single person in the comments who's lost their best friend— dog, cat, any animal. They are our constant companions and it's so hard to say goodbye."

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.