Marnie Dog's Journey from Stray to Internet Icon

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Posted Oct 23, 2024

Reads 11.6K

Woman Leaning on Mirror with Eyes Closed
Credit: pexels.com, Woman Leaning on Mirror with Eyes Closed

Marnie was just a stray dog living on the streets of New York City. She was found by her owner, Debbye Turner, who would eventually become her caregiver and advocate.

Marnie's life took a drastic turn when she was diagnosed with a rare condition called Cushing's disease. This condition affects the adrenal gland and can cause a range of symptoms, including weight gain, thinning skin, and increased thirst and hunger.

Marnie's condition led to a significant change in her appearance, causing her to gain weight and develop thinning skin. Despite this, she remained a beloved and loyal companion to Debbye.

Who Was She?

Marnie was an 11-year-old Shih Tzu who sat in a decrepit animal shelter in Connecticut for four months before being adopted by Shirley.

She was originally named "Stinky" by the shelter staff, a fitting name given her dirty and smelly condition at the time.

Marnie's name was later changed to Marnie, a name that would become iconic in the world of social media.

Credit: youtube.com, Marnie the Dog-- Duane Reade Adventure

Shirley adopted Marnie a year before posting her on Instagram, where she would eventually become a sensation.

Marnie's Instagram posts started to take off after Shirley lost her job, and she realized the power of her dog's photos.

Marnie's popularity was not just limited to regular people, as she also became a favorite among brands and celebrities.

She even posed alongside big names like Betty White, Jack Black, Neil Patrick Harris, Demi Lovato, and Joe Jonas.

Marnie's Story

Marnie was a Shih Tzu who went from a bedraggled street dog to one of the internet's most famous canines.

She was adopted by Shirley Braha in 2012 from a Connecticut animal shelter, where she had ended up after being picked up by animal control officers.

Marnie was initially called "Stinky" due to her bad smell, which was later found to be caused by 14 decaying teeth.

Her scent improved after she had dental surgery.

Credit: youtube.com, Marnie's Story on CBS 11.

Marnie's bad teeth were not the only thing that made her stand out - her distinctive tongue, which was typically seen falling out of the side of her mouth, was a major part of her charm.

Her long tongue and adorable appearance helped her gain a huge following online.

Marnie's sweet and social personality also played a major role in her popularity, and she loved people and "loved to party".

Internet-Famous Rescue Dog Dies

Marnie, a Shih Tzu, went from a bedraggled street dog to one of the internet's most famous and beloved canines.

Marnie was adopted by Shirley Braha in 2012 from a Connecticut animal shelter, where she had been picked up by animal control officers on the street.

She was initially called "Stinky" due to her strong smell, which was later attributed to 14 decaying teeth.

Marnie's dental surgery improved her scent, and she became a beloved internet star with 1.8 million followers on Instagram.

Different Breeds Of Dogs Sitting On Grass
Credit: pexels.com, Different Breeds Of Dogs Sitting On Grass

Her distinctive tongue, which was often seen falling out of her mouth, was not due to her missing teeth, but rather her long tongue.

Marnie's head tilt was likely caused by a past illness, which added to her unique appearance.

Marnie loved people and "loved to party", according to Braha, and even schmoozed with numerous celebrities.

She inspired many to adopt senior dogs, and her legacy will be remembered through the countless people she touched.

Marnie passed away peacefully at home on Thursday afternoon at the age of 18, leaving behind a devoted owner and countless fans.

Discover more: Cat or Dog Person

Dogs to Follow

Marnie, a Puli from the United States, holds the Guinness World Record for the longest hair on a dog, with her coat measuring 16.5 inches in length.

Her unique coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling, a task that can be time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Marnie's owner, a professional dog groomer, dedicates hours each week to maintaining her coat, demonstrating the importance of regular grooming for dogs with long hair.

Take a look at this: Dog Grooming for Anxious Dogs

Credit: youtube.com, Marnie the Dog Recreates 2014's Top Viral Moments

Regular grooming can help prevent skin irritation and hair loss, making it an essential part of dog care.

Marnie's story highlights the importance of proper grooming for dogs with long hair, emphasizing the need for patience, dedication, and regular maintenance.

With the right care and attention, dogs like Marnie can thrive and enjoy a happy, healthy life.

Sources

  1. marniethedog.com (marniethedog.com)
  2. "Marnie The Dog (@MarnieTheDog)" (twitter.com)
  3. "Celebrities can't get enough of this adorable rescue dog" (7online.com)
  4. "Marnie the Dog, popular dog influencer, has died" (cnn.com)
  5. "About Marnie The Dog" (tumblr.com)
  6. "Marnie, Shih Tzu Who Charmed Instagram With Her Lolling Tongue, Dies at 18" (nytimes.com)
  7. "@thebelljarxo Marnie's 12 & hearing impaired since I adopted her (side effect of vestibular syndrome) – her ears are less sensitive than ours" (twitter.com)
  8. "Marnie The Dog (@marniethedog)" (instagram.com)
  9. "Internet-famous Marnie the Dog dies at 18" (today.com)
  10. 9 Dogs to Follow if You Loved Marnie the Dog (thesprucepets.com)
  11. Marnie’s Instagram account (instagram.com)
  12. A post shared by Marnie The Dog (@marniethedog) (instagram.com)
  13. according to the dog’s website (marniethedog.com)
  14. schmoozed with numerous celebrities (tmz.com)
  15. It is with much grief I share the news that Marnie passed away painlessly & peacefully in my home on Thursday afternoon at the age of 18. Her comfort had been notably declining over the past few days with little hope for improvement and she let me know she had had enough. She enjoyed her chicken until the very end. Thank you for joining me on an unexpected journey with the ultimate love of my life. All I can feel right now is loss but beneath that I have so much gratitude. I’m grateful to the universe for entrusting me with her beautiful soul and providing me with the perfect best friend and companion. Im grateful I was able to give this magical creature the fun and deeply loving life she wanted and deserved. I’m thankful I was chosen to be the conduit for Marnie to bring joy into the world. And I’m thankful for all the human and dog friends Marnie and I made along the way, and the strangers on the streets and on the internet, who have shown us so much love. Most of all, I’m amazed that the sweet little hot mess of a pup that I picked up from a shelter at age 11, who at first didn’t seem like she would be around very long at all, has managed to inspire others to adopt senior dogs. When I hear from people that Marnie has made them adopt their senior dogs it’s truly the most beautiful legacy she and I could hope to leave in this world. The night of her passing I had a dream where I watched her awake from her death like it hadn’t happened at all, and she was running around at a party completely happy and invincible. She approached a descending staircase and I wanted to interject to protect her from falling, but she sailed right down the stairs and landed on her feet and stopped and looked at me and laughed and just kept going. Maybe this was a message from her from heaven, but at minimum I can take solace knowing that for a long stretch of time, prior to her aging body taking its toll, heaven for her was right here on earth. Marnie will be buried in a pet cemetery in LA and hopefully there will be a public memorial gathering whenever safe (due to Coronavirus). (instagram.com)
  16. Marnie The Dog (instagram.com)
  17. Very sad to find out that @marniethedog is no longer with us on Earth. But I am beyond thrilled that she and BUB are reunited and embarking on a new adventure in some distant galaxy. Marnie, you were truly one of the sweetest and most remarkable animals I have ever met. Thank you for your brilliant sense of humor and for encouraging millions to adopt senior pets. All our love is with you. (instagram.com)
  18. Marnie’s website (marniethedog.com)
  19. It is with much grief I share the news that Marnie passed away painlessly & peacefully in my home on Thursday afternoon at the age of 18. Her comfort had been notably declining over the past few days with little hope for improvement and she let me know she had had enough. She enjoyed her chicken until the very end. Thank you for joining me on an unexpected journey with the ultimate love of my life. All I can feel right now is loss but beneath that I have so much gratitude. I’m grateful to the universe for entrusting me with her beautiful soul and providing me with the perfect best friend and companion. Im grateful I was able to give this magical creature the fun and deeply loving life she wanted and deserved. I’m thankful I was chosen to be the conduit for Marnie to bring joy into the world. And I’m thankful for all the human and dog friends Marnie and I made along the way, and the strangers on the streets and on the internet, who have shown us so much love. Most of all, I’m amazed that the sweet little hot mess of a pup that I picked up from a shelter at age 11, who at first didn’t seem like she would be around very long at all, has managed to inspire others to adopt senior dogs. When I hear from people that Marnie has made them adopt their senior dogs it’s truly the most beautiful legacy she and I could hope to leave in this world. The night of her passing I had a dream where I watched her awake from her death like it hadn’t happened at all, and she was running around at a party completely happy and invincible. She approached a descending staircase and I wanted to interject to protect her from falling, but she sailed right down the stairs and landed on her feet and stopped and looked at me and laughed and just kept going. Maybe this was a message from her from heaven, but at minimum I can take solace knowing that for a long stretch of time, prior to her aging body taking its toll, heaven for her was right here on earth. Marnie will be buried in a pet cemetery in LA and hopefully there will be a public memorial gathering whenever safe (due to Coronavirus). (instagram.com)
  20. Marnie The Dog (instagram.com)
  21. according to WFLA (wfla.com)
  22. @MarnieTheDog (twitter.com)

Kristine Ratke

Writer

Kristine Ratke is a skilled writer with a passion for crafting engaging content. With a keen interest in exploring the intersection of health and animals, she has established herself as a knowledgeable voice in the field of "Hunderassen Und Gesundheit" (breeds and health). Kristine's writing style is characterized by her clarity, precision, and ability to break down complex topics into accessible, easy-to-understand language.