This is the story of Dipper, Jon Stewart’s three-legged wonder dog, who not only captured the hearts of the Stewart family but left paw prints on the hearts of many around the world.
Jon Stewart, the man who has made us laugh and think, found himself sharing a more somber moment with his audience on a recent episode of The Daily Show. With a heavy heart and eyes brimming with tears, Jon announced the passing of his beloved family dog, Dipper, over the weekend. “Dipper passed away yesterday,” he shared, his voice breaking with emotion. “He was ready. He was tired, but I wasn’t.”
The story of how Dipper, a brindle pit bull with a spirit as indomitable as his will to live, came into their lives is nothing short of a fairy tale. It all started at a fundraiser for the New York City animal shelter, Animal Haven. Jon and his kids, Maggie Rose and Nathan Thomas, were baking cupcakes to support the shelter. Little did they know, their lives were about to change forever.
In a move that would seal their fate, the shelter brought out a one-year-old pit bull who had been hit by a car in Brooklyn and lost his right leg. The sight of this brave survivor touched the Stewart family so deeply that they knew they couldn’t leave him behind. And just like that, Dipper, named for his unique way of moving, became a part of their lives. “And in a world of good boys, he was the best,” Jon recalled, his voice thick with emotion.
Dipper wasn’t just any dog; he was a celebrity in his own right. As part of the “OG Daily Show dog crew,” he had a front-row seat to history, meeting actors, authors, presidents, and kings. He even managed to do what the Taliban could not – give Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai a good scare, a moment Jon recalled with a teary smile.
But it wasn’t Dipper’s brush with fame that made him special; it was his unwavering spirit, his joyous heart, and the love he brought into the Stewart home. Jon tearfully shared a clip of Dipper, energetically chasing a ball of snow, a reminder of the happiness and zest for life he embodied. “Dipper, who’s got the ball there?” Jon can be heard saying in the background, laughter in his voice despite the tears.
As the show came to a close, Jon left his audience with a final thought: “But boy, my wish for you is one day you find that dog, that one dog that just is the best.” It was a moment of Zen, a tribute to a dog who, despite his challenges, lived a life filled with love, adventure, and a family who adored him.
In a world where good boys and girls are aplenty, Dipper was indeed the best. His story is a testament to the power of love, the resilience of the spirit, and the unbreakable bond between humans and their furry companions. Jon Stewart may have lost a friend, but the legacy of Dipper, the three-legged wonder dog, will continue to inspire and touch hearts for years to come. So here’s to Dipper, a true legend among legends. Your story may have ended, but your spirit lives on forever.
