The unexpected loss of a pet is one of the toughest experiences in life.

But a story out of Thibodeaux, Louisiana, demonstrates that even when people seem so crass and at odds with each other today, simple human kindness still abounds — and the smallest of actions can leave the greatest of impacts.

Lt. John Sutton Jr. and K-9 Officer Drake Duet of the Thibodeaux Police Department (TPD) responded to a call over the weekend from a resident whose pet “experienced a tragic, unexpected death,” according to a Facebook post by the department.

The two officers comforted the grief-stricken pet owner — and decided to go even one step beyond that.

Sutton and Duet dug a grave for the deceased pet in the backyard, and “respectfully buried the pet in an attempt to relieve some of the burden and grief from the owner,” according to the Facebook post.

“I can’t believe the kindness these officers showed,” one Baltimore, Maryland, woman, 54, who has buried several of her own small deceased pets in her backyard over the years, told LifeZette. “You think, ‘Well, it’s just a pet — why do I feel like my world is caving in?’ But our animals really do mean that much to us; and saying goodbye is devastating. This owner will never forget what these policemen did for them.”

(See tips for dealing with the loss of a pet in the video above.)

On behalf of the Thibodaux Police Department, we would like to commend Lieutenant John Sutton Jr. and K-9 Officer Drake…

Posted by Thibodaux Police Department on Saturday, July 21, 2018

The department’s post about the officers’ acts of kindness has been shared more than 220 times.

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“Prayers go out to the owner, and hats off to the TPD,” one Facebook user commented, while another simply said, “Love my TPD.”

A pet lover in New York and a mom of four also told LifeZette, “Stories like this don’t get much attention or celebration — but it’s these quiet, decent acts of kindness toward other people, even strangers, that are so worth noting. Those police officers deserve a big thank you for sure.”

(photo credit, homepage and article: Officer Drake DuetThibodaux Police Department)