1 of 8 Farewell ceremony for the dog Estopinha in an animal crematorium in São Bernardo do Campo in the SP metropolitan area. — Photo: Reproduction/Instagram Farewell ceremony for the dog Estopinha at an animal crematorium in São Bernardo do Campo in the SP metropolitan area. — Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The dog Estopinha, considered the first pet influencer in Brazil, was cremated this Wednesday afternoon (20) in São Bernardo do Campo, in Greater SP, in an emotional farewell ceremony prepared by the family of the veterinarian Alexandre Rossi, the animal’s guardian became.
The animal’s death was announced by Alexandre Rossi himself, who had been reporting for days about the 14yearold dog’s health problems.
The dog’s farewell was broadcast online on social media at the São Bernardo Animal Crematorium, which described the act as a “live farewell to our beloved Estopinha.”
The funeral service, which lasted just over an hour, was rounded off with floral wreaths, an image of Saint Francis of Assisi the holy protector of animals and the presence of friends of the Rossi family and also fans of the dog.
On one of the crowns, the printed phrase promised to honor the dog’s legacy: “Cheers, thank you for the best years of our lives. We promise to keep his legacy alive.”
Estopinha, the country’s first pet influencer, dies in SP
At the ceremony, Alexandre Rossi highlighted how people’s relationships with animals help recover from family and psychological problems.
“Many people have written to me and told me how they healed from depression, how their families became happier and how a dirtier house full of hair makes all the difference. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s purebred or viral, whether it’s adopted or not. They change our lives. And I appreciate your hugs and your stories about your dog,” he explained.
“I hope we have used the spotlight that fell on Estopinha to discuss the need for a good relationship between people and animals. People say the internet is a place for anger, hate and vent, but what we’ve received is just lots and lots of love,” he said.
“May it be a drop in the ocean that people who don’t know each other increasingly develop compassion for a pet and for other people,” Rossi added.
2 of 8 SBC Crematorium announces “Live farewell for the dog Estopinha” on social media. — Photo: Reproduction SBC Crematorium announces “Live farewell for the dog Estopinha” on social media. — Photo: Reproduction
How much does animal cremation cost?
O g1 found that the place where Estopinha was cremated offers animal farewell services at a cost of between R$1,200 and R$7,000.
Simple collective incineration with carcass removal by the company costs R$1,200. With this service, the owner does not receive the animal’s ashes back.
For the individual cremation, where the ashes of the animal are delivered, prices start from R$ 1,500 and go up to R$ 7,000, depending on the additional services that the family wants to use and the type of urn for the return the ashes that the carers would like to purchase.
The company says it has been in the market for 26 years and is the first company in the greater SP area to offer this type of funeral service in the area.
When hiring the services, pet owners can decide whether or not they want to hold a wake for their pet.
The company said some recovery rooms have online broadcast devices in the room, allowing families to privately broadcast the farewell to friends and relatives (only those who receive the link can access the broadcast). According to the company, the wakeup calls last about 50 minutes.
3 of 8 Alexandre Rossi and Estopinha — Photo: Reproduction/Social Networks Alexandre Rossi and Estopinha — Photo: Reproduction/Social Networks
In a post on social media, Rossi said he was devastated by the news after living with the dog for 14 years.
“Estopinha is gone… we slept together and she was painfree. That was the most important thing for me. She was cared for at night and allowed to rest in my bed with all the affection I could give. Still, “I’m very sick. A part of me was destroyed. 14 years of intense living together and lots of love, adventure and mischief. It was worth every second with her. Thank you all for your affection. “You mean a lot to us,” he wrote.
4 of 8 Estopinha, the first pet influencer in Brazil Photo: Reproduction/Redes Sociais Estopinha, the first pet influencer in Brazil Photo: Reproduction/Redes Sociais
“She walked by my side and slept in bed with me, without pain. I made this decision for her and wish she would go in peace and feel all the love we all feel for her,” he added.
On Tuesday evening (19), Rossi had already told his followers that the dog was not feeling well and that he might not survive the early morning hours.
“I don’t know how much longer I’ll have with Estopinha. I felt really bad today. The whole house was sad and I cried a lot. Today we did more testing and I’m really looking forward to seeing improvement,” he wrote.
5 of 8 Publication by veterinarian Alexandre Rossi announcing the death of the dog Estopinha. — Photo: Reproduction publication by veterinarian Alexandre Rossi announcing the death of the little dog Estopinha. — Photo: Reproduction
On Vet Day, read Alexandre Rossi’s tips for caring for pets at home
Before his death, Estopinha had been experiencing health problems for weeks, according to his guardian. Days ago, Rossi commented to her more than 1.3 million followers on social media that she had serious health problems.
According to the owner, the problem began with a nail infection and became more complicated, so the 14yearold pet was admitted to a veterinary clinic in the capital.
Estopinha, who is considered elderly, had stomach problems that were aggravated by the need to take oral medications, as her guardian Alexandre Rossi, who is a veterinarian, zootechnician and animal behavior specialist and also has an image of pets, explained on social media the program “Encontro com Patrícia Poeta”.
6 of 8 Dr. Pet and his dog Estopinha, who has 2.5 million followers on social networks Photo: Disclosure Dr. Pet and his dog Estopinha, who has 2.5 million followers on social networks Photo: Disclosure
Rossi had shared news about the dog’s health and also vented to him. He does livestreams almost every day and says they help him “process the grief he’s experiencing.” On Wednesday (13) he had to cancel his appointment to take Estopinha to the vet.
“If I feel that she will no longer have a quality of life or that her health has deteriorated very much and the suffering will be very great and longlasting, I will let her go, no matter what other people will feel.” “Their quality of life is my top priority,” he explained that day.
However, the lecturer tried to remain positive at the time.
“I have not given up hope that she will get better and continue to enjoy life. She is 14 years old, she is older, her health is not perfect, but she also had a very good quality of life and, when I recover her, with the help of the entire veterinary team and all the love you send, and To one more or two years of life without suffering or with controlled suffering, which is worth it, I will treat it with painkillers, with whatever I need. I hope she’s feeling better. She has already scared me several times and, God willing, will continue to surprise me with her longevity and her joy of life,” he said on his Instagram profile.
7 out of 8 Alexandre and Estopinha Rossi; Guardian of the first pet influencer in Brazil and a 14yearold dog with health problems Photo: Reproduction/ Instagram Alexandre and Estopinha Rossi; Tutor to the first pet influencer in Brazil and a 14yearold dog with health problems Photo: Reproduction/ Instagram
Regardless of the hope, Alexandre admits that the grieving process has already begun and that although he has always helped people through it, it is not easy.
“This is where my sadness began, as I noticed how Topaz’s behavior changed as he grew older,” he confessed.
8 of 8 Estopinha was caught taking a nap during the day — Photo: Reproduction/ Instagram Estopinha was caught taking a nap during the day — Photo: Reproduction/ Instagram
Alexandre Rossi adopted Estopinha in 2009. Not yet a newborn, she had already been returned twice by families who couldn’t cope with her “very mischievous nature.” The owner’s idea was to use adoption to show the public how to deal with excited dogs and to give the animals a second chance.
Today Alexandre has 1.3 million followers on Instagram alone, where he lives regularly. He also posts videos on YouTube.
Estopinha also has her profile named with 752,000 followers @estopinharossi.