Boy breaks down crying after learning his new puppy was a gift from his late father
47-year-old Joe was allergic to dogs, so he knew exactly what to get his son for when he wasn't around anymore.

For some people, when they come face to face with death, they begin to think a lot about their legacy and what they'll leave behind. Others worry about who will take care of their family and loved ones with them gone. Some people film videos or write cards for birthdays and other special occasions ahead of time, while others opt for even bigger and more emotional gestures and posthumous gifts.
On January 8, 2020, 47-year-old Joe Kavaluskis lost his nine-year battle with multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer. He left behind a wife and two sons after his passing. But that didn't stop him from fulfilling one of his son's dreams a week later on his 13th birthday.
In the final days of his life, he told his wife, Melanie, to buy their son, Logan, a puppy after he passed. He thought the dog would brighten his spirits after such a loss and it was something he always wanted but couldn't have. Joe was allergic to dogs so he couldn't have one in the home.
The boy's father was allergic to dogs, so they never could keep one in their home. Photo by IgorTheGoodBoy on IG — Boston Terrier on Unsplash
"He said, 'Just promise that when I do pass, that you get Logan a puppy as soon as you can, because I know that it will bring him a lot of comfort,'" Melanie Kavaluskis told Inside Edition.
Throughout his childhood, Logan had hermit crabs and lizards, but never the puppy he always wanted. When he was 3 years old he got a stuffed Boston terrier and named it Puppers and took it everywhere he went for years.
Joe thought it was the right time for his son to have a real Boston terrier of his own.
A week after Joe's passing, Melanie told her son Logan they had to drive to Midland, Michigan to pick up a puppy, but he had no idea it was a gift for him. Halfway through the drive home, his cousin Jon broke the news.
"That's from your dad. That's your dog," Jon told an astonished Logan. "Really?" Logan replied.
The 13-year-old boy looked down at the dog and he still couldn't believe it was his. "'Dad wanted you to have a puppy," his cousin said.
Best of all, the boy's emotional reaction to the news was captured on video, making for a truly incredible moment and memory for the still-grieving family.
- YouTube www.youtube.com
The pain of the loss is still fresh for Logan in the video, and you can see the exact moment his emotions come spilling out. It's incredibly powerful.
"Words can't explain the shock," Logan later told WZZM13. "I had to ask 'really?' again, just to make sure it was my dog and not a horrid prank."
The family has named the dog Indy and Logan says he's a great fit for the family.
A Boston Terrier can't replace a dad, but it can help. Photo by Kindred Hues Photography on Unsplash
"He fits to all of our needs. Cuddles with my mom and my brother and plays with me, unless I want him to relax," Logan said.
Melanie thinks that her husband's final gesture may have been his best.
"He got it right. This was amazing. This gift is just perfect. Perfect timing," she said.
The Inside Edition coverage of the story was viewed over 6 million times on YouTube. Commenters from all over the globe chimed in to share how much the story meant to them.
"Imagine your dad's last day on earth last ever wish was to make his son happy, im never taking my dad for granted ever again"
"You can tell he’s a very sweet appreciative kid. Mom and Dad did a good job raising him."
"Imagine your dads dying wish to be for you to have the one thing you couldn’t have when he was here"
"He had the most caring father, dedicating his last wish to his son. What an amazing person."
- YouTube www.youtube.com
Joe's gesture may have done more than just cheer up his son. Research shows that pets can be a big help for kids who are grieving.
"Pets can help improve mood," said Gina McDowell, a licensed professional clinical counselor and behavioral health clinical educator at the Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, in a Huffington Post article.
"Playing with pets often creates positive emotions that can last throughout the day and may even help manage symptoms of anxiety and depression," she continued.
It has to be terribly frustrating to be suffering from a terminal disease knowing you'll be unable to comfort your children when you're gone. But Joe did one of the most beautiful things imaginable by fulfilling one of his son's dreams while also giving him a way to cope in a time of need.
This article originally appeared four years ago. It has been updated.
- Man with stage 4 cancer shares what he learned on a beautiful final day on the golf course ›
- 27-year-old who died of cancer left behind final advice that left the internet in tears ›
- A Father Reprimands His Homophobic Child In This Beautiful Letter ›
- Young dad tearfully seeks advice on going from one child to two and gets the best advice ›
- I told a kid a riddle my dad told me when I was 7. His answer proves how far we've come. ›