Jon Stewart‘ is moving Daily show tribute to his pit bull Dipper went viral this week, leaving adults and children alike in tears as Stewart honored his best friend.
Animal Haven, the no-kill animal shelter where Stewart, his family and Dipper first united, has raised more than $25,000 since that segment aired, executive director Tiffany Lacey told TMZ in an article published on Thursday, February 29.
“In a world of good boys, he was the best,” Stewart, 61, said of the three-legged Dipper during the Monday, February 26, episode of The Daily Show. “Dipper passed away yesterday. He was ready. He was tired, but I wasn’t. And the family, we were all together.”
In the tribute, Stewart tried his best to hold back tears as he talked about how he first met Dipper. That moment came 12 years ago when his children came up with the idea to raise money for Animal Haven. They baked cupcakes and set up a table outside the shelter to sell them. The shelter accepted the idea and adopted the puppy, who had lost a leg after being hit by a car. They called him Dipper.
The new pet of the Stewart family quickly became part of The Daily Show‘s “OG dog crew,” even waiting for Stewart to finish taping that night’s episode in the studio.
“He met actors and authors, presidents and kings,” Stewart recalls. “And he did what the Taliban couldn’t do, which was to instill fear Malala Yousafzai.”
The Daily Show Then a cutscene rolled where Yousafzai encountered Dipper in a hallway. “Oh dear, it’s a dog,” you heard them say as she stopped, turned and quickly walked in the other direction.
Animal Haven says the money raised comes from more than 500 donors and will go toward “general care for their animals, plus operational support, vet care, food, staff time and dog walks.”
It seems the timing couldn’t be better. TMZ reports that Animal Haven is operating at full capacity and housing more than 100 rescue animals, including 20 puppies just born to three dog mothers.
Lacey added that Stewart’s tribute has led to several individuals contacting the shelter to express interest in adoption and others to purchase items on Animal Haven’s Amazon wish list, including dog treats and blankets.
Stewart concluded his tribute with a hope for his viewers: “My wish for you is that one day you find that dog, that one dog.”
If Animal Haven’s report is any indication, the viral clip only made it more likely.