Some pets find trouble in the most unexpected ways, but this story might take the cake or, in this case, the cash.
Meet Cecil, a seven-year-old Goldendoodle from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, whose shocking snack choice left his family in disbelief and quickly made him an internet sensation.
His claim to fame? Eating an entire $4,000 in cash.
Yes, really.
Here’s how the unforgettable incident unfolded.
The Perfect Pup With A Surprising Appetite
According to his owners, Clayton and Carrie Law, Cecil had always been the definition of a good dog. He was calm, well-behaved, and never caused a single problem.
But that changed when he suddenly developed a taste for something unusual: money.
The Laws had withdrawn $4,000 from their local bank to pay workers who were installing a new fence at their home. They left the envelope containing the money on the kitchen counter, planning to grab it later.
That’s when Cecil saw his opportunity.
When Clayton returned to the kitchen about thirty minutes later, he was greeted by a shocking scene.
Torn bits of cash covered the floor, and their mild-mannered dog sat in the middle of it all looking suspiciously satisfied.
“I ran in, thinking I had to have heard him wrong, but when I saw the mess, there was no doubt,” Carrie told The Washington Post. “I thought I was going to have a heart attack. Cecil had really done it.”
The family had no idea what made him eat the cash. Ironically, Cecil had never been a particularly food-motivated dog.
Concerned for his health, they immediately called their veterinarian.
Fortunately, because of Cecil’s size, the vet assured them that he would likely be fine as long as he continued eating, drinking, and behaving normally.
The Messiest Cleanup Imaginable
Once they knew Cecil was safe, Clayton and Carrie faced a new dilemma: figuring out how to recover their lost money.
When they contacted the bank, the manager explained that if they could present more than half of each bill along with both serial numbers, the damaged cash could be replaced.
There was only one unpleasant way to get it back.
Over the next several days, the Laws carefully sifted through Cecil’s vomit and waste, searching for any pieces of money they could find. It was a painstaking, smelly, and unforgettable job.
“I never thought I’d be able to say I’ve laundered money, but there is apparently a first time for everything,” Carrie said with a laugh.
The couple managed to see the humor in the bizarre situation, even though it was far from pleasant.
To their surprise, the bank manager told them that this kind of incident happens more often than people think. Paper bills travel through countless hands and environments, picking up scents that can attract curious dogs.
After cleaning and drying each salvaged piece, Clayton and Carrie pieced the money back together. By the end of the ordeal, they had successfully recovered nearly $3,500.
“We’ve kept at least one of the torn-up bills so we can do a piece of artwork and frame it to commemorate the entire situation. Not that we’d ever forget,” Carrie said.
Despite everything, the Laws never blamed their beloved dog.
“You can’t really blame an animal for what they do. Like they’re an animal. They’re not doing it to be malicious or anything. So, we’ve really been laughing about it pretty much since that day,” Carrie told Good Morning America.
Carrie later shared their story on Instagram, complete with photos and videos. Before long, Cecil’s misadventure went viral.
Their once quiet Goldendoodle had become famous overnight for having one of the most expensive meals in family history.