Emmerdale fans utterly bereft as show airs ‘saddest storyline in years’
Why do animal deaths in soaps hit us so hard?
Perhaps it’s because in villages and streets where murder, affairs and family feuds happen all the time, the animals are often the innocent constants. They don’t create the drama, they provide comfort to the people caught up in it.
This is exactly why scenes involving Monty the dog in Emmerdale have been so difficult to watch. The lovely pooch was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago and, in today’s episode, it was time to say goodbye.
At Wishing Well, the family made the decision that Cain would take Monty to the vets alone, which left Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick), Sam (James Hooton), Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) and Kammy Hadiq (Shebz Miah) in charge of supporting Kyle and Isaac (Huey Quinn and Bobby Dunsmuir).
In the vets, Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) explained to Cain that she’d give Monty some medication that would ultimately send him into a very deep sleep. It was gentle, peaceful, but utterly devastating at the same time.
Monty was diagnosed with cancer (Picture: ITV)
Kyle and Isaac eventually made their way to the vets to see their dad, noting that he shouldn’t be on his own at this time. As Cain carried Monty out of the vets and into the car, he was touched when Lydia, Sam and Kammy joined him.
The Dingle family have faced an incredible amount of loss over the years, but they always find strength in each other when saying goodbye to someone they love.
As Monty’s final chapter ends, a number of Emmerdale fans have taken to social media platform X to express their heartbreak over the pup’s last story.
J said: ‘When Monty gave Cain his paw I was BROKEN. Sobbed like a baby. Dogs really are the most precious souls.’
Emotional, Laura put: ‘Cain and Monty though’ with a heartbroken emoji and a crying one.
This fan summed things up perfectly and said: ‘Monty dying is the saddest storyline Emmerdale has had in years.’
Sharing her own experience with pet grief, Charlotte penned: ‘Don’t think I can bring myself to watch tonight’s Emmerdale, I’ve experienced something similar with previous pets and it’s something you never heal from. Goodbye Monty, you’re safe with Zak and Lisa now.’
In tomorrow’s episode, Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) will return from visiting Nana Barton as she joins the Dingles for Monty’s funeral.
Cain’s eulogy for Monty is – unsurprisingly – very emotional, and unites the family in grief, love, and hope.
