The world's tallest dog has sadly passed away with his head in his loving owner's lap at just three years old.
Yes, this is a story about a dog dying, so prepare to have your entire day derailed.
Zeus, who earned his Guinness World Records title in 2022 measuring in at 1.046 m (3 ft 5.18 in) tall, was just three years old at the time of his passing, with his fourth birthday approaching in November.
As per Sky News, Zeus developed an aggressive form of cancer and veterinarians decided that amputating his front right leg was the best course of action in order to save his life.
The beloved canine heroically fought against the odds but ultimately succumbed to pneumonia following the operation.
During his final moments, Zeus found comfort in the love of his owner, Brittany, as her father, Donnie Davis, shared: "He passed away with his head in his loving owner Brittany's lap."
Brittany, from Bedford, Texas, expressed her grief on Guinness World Records' official website, saying: "We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved dog, Zeus, the Guinness World Records title holder for the tallest living male dog. Zeus died Tuesday morning of amputation-related pneumonia."
Describing her canine companion, Brittany continued: "Zeus was a truly special dog. He was gentle, loving, very stubborn but always happy to see his family and many, many friends on his adventures around Dallas & Fort Worth.
"Zeus packed a lot of life into three short years and was primed to beat cancer's butt. Zeus had the absolute best doctors and nurses working around the clock to help him, but in the end, he was just too sick."
Brittany had launched a fundraising campaign to ensure her canine companion received the best possible medical treatment after his cancer diagnosis.
She said on the fundraising site: "Our baby boy is gone. Our hearts are broken. He had the absolute best doctors who sat on the floor and cried with us. He fought hard but the pneumonia was just too much. He is not in pain anymore. He is resting peacefully."
Zeus, known for his laid-back personality, was a gift from Brittany's brother when he was just eight weeks old. Always dreaming of having a Great Dane, Brittany's wish came true with Zeus's arrival.
The towering canine had become a recognizable figure in the Dallas-Fort Worth community. Passersby would often approach him during walks and jokingly ask if they could ride him like a horse, to which the answer was always an obvious "no."
Zeus, characterized by his easygoing nature and strong-willed spirit, stood so tall that he could comfortably drink from the kitchen sink and, on mischievous occasions, sneakily snatch food from countertops.
Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, fondly remembered Zeus, saying: "Zeus always brought a smile to our faces - he was such a larger-than-life character and spread joy wherever he went. That's why it was so sad to hear that he was unwell, and now we're heartbroken to learn of his untimely passing."
Our thoughts are with Zeus' loved ones at this difficult time.
