Famed wildlife photographer and preservationist Roger Caras once said of canines: "Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe, we are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made."

For kindred spirit and fellow Oregon photographer Ben Moon, he decided to pay tribute to the wonderful deal he brokered with his dog, Denali, the only way he knew how: By creating a short film commemorating the 14-year-long journey Moon walked alongside Denali, right up until the pup’s last days on earth last January. The result, "Denali", produced by Moon and directed by friend Ben Knight, is a heartrending and uplifting exploration of the special bond the two creatures shared.

Narrated through the eyes and wagging tongue of Denali, Moon’s film uses snippets of old photographs and moving shots of the older Denali visiting past haunts the two once frequented to showcase the close knit life they shared. Denali served as companion, model, and even nurse to the ailing Moon when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2004. Complete with self-deprecating humor about Moon’s "hippie friends" and doggie-fueled fantasies of biting those who denied Moon’s insurance claims, the seven minute-long piece can’t help but remind us of the joys of love and the despair of losing those close to us, no matter how many legs they walk on. It’s no wonder the video has resonated with so many since its release earlier this Tuesday.

Denali, perhaps sensing the special gift Moon wanted to send him off with, endured until a few days after filming ended. The video notes that his last moments were nothing but peaceful. "I wasn't hungry anymore so I let Ben know it was time," the video narrates, "and he let me sleep on his chest all night."

Here’s hoping we all get the opportunity to have a Denali in our own lives too.