Hundreds join Walnut the dog on his emotional final walk

Mark Woods kisses his dog Walnut before taking him to Porth beach for a final walk (SWNS / Neil Hope)

HUNDREDS of people have joined a dog on his final walk on his favourite Cornish beach before he was put to sleep.

Earlier this week, Mark Woods made an emotional appeal on Facebook for people and pets to join him on Saturday morning with his beloved pet whippet, Walnut, on Porth Beach in Newquay.

At 18 years old, Walnut’s health had deteriorated so Mark had made the decision to have him put to sleep.

[facebook url =’

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154120345605897&set=a.10150300880075897.331788.518545896

‘]

The heartbreaking post went viral, and on Saturday morning Mark’s wish became a reality and hundreds of people with their pets joined both him and Walnut on the beach.

Mark carried Walnut in a blanket and when he reached the sea, he gently lowered Walnut into the sand and allowed him to dip his paw in the water.

Mark Woods says a huge thank you to hundreds of people who turned out to walk with him & Walnut today on their last stroll #walkwithwalnut pic.twitter.com/tbDKfogG70

— Heidi Davey (@HeidiDavey) November 12, 2016