“She’s peaceful, she’s rested, and that’s what she deserves…. I was so happy that she had such a beautiful life,” said the Sunday owner.
Social media lament Sunday reminds her of her style
Sunday, a well-known social media lab, passed away at the age of 12 of cancer.
It all started with a free Craigslist ad and an 18-year-old girl.
It was 2013, when Monet Gamble, North Carolina, lost a dog in her childhood and moved out of her parents’ home. The dog lover, staring at the world as a newly aged adult, decided that she needed a best friend, and her heart settled on winning a girl. So when he turned to the black lab puppy where gambling is listed for free, he was not only the last woman left in the garbage, but when he spent just a day’s birthday from her, she knew it was destiny.
“This is just meant to be something, this is perfect,” she thought. And from there she told USA Today, “We only got together soon.”
How did Sundae accumulate large online followers?
For those who have not been able to know about Black Lab, Sunday, it is difficult to explain online how much she is loved during her prolific internet reign. With Tiktok having 1.8 million followers and 75 million likes, and 380,000 followers on Instagram, you can’t claim that Sundae is not a small internet celebrity.
Like many of these popular pet accounts, when I went to pick up my puppy in May 2013, the enormous size of Sunday’s followers wasn’t a gambling intention or expectation. Like many pet owners, gambling isn’t about becoming an influencer, or sharing what he saw as the cutest puppy in the world, he created a social media account for Sunday.
“It started just by having fun with her,” Gamble said. “Just be creative. She’s always so comfortable, just go with the flow.”
Sunday was probably best known for her iconic outfit she wore for many “works” from security guards to pharmacists. Like a respectable fashionista, she was at home looking to be herself.
Ant bites led to Sunday’s viral status
How has the rather ordinary social media page turned into a showcasing a huge collection of Sunday pants, wigs, uniforms, dresses, earrings and other clothing and accessories? For quite practical reasons, in fact.
“She had an ant bite in her stomach from the park, so I had cream on her stomach,” Gamble said. “She kept trying to lick it, so I had the old pants I put on her. I put her pants and she was really excited to zoom around the house.
From there, I ended up cutting out my old pants from gambling and buying children’s clothes and outfits aimed at pets. My uniforms, wigs and more came right away.
“She enjoyed getting dressed. It’s something different. And when I dress her up, she’s going to be really excited, so that’s what we started,” Gamble said.
Fans share a post-cancer post-diagnosis of support
As Sundae’s fame grew, Gamble shared other things about her life together, eventually giving fans a glimpse into the lab’s two-year battle with cancer. Gambling’s total dedication to helping her best friend defeat the illness is curious how everything from homemade meals to supplements has helped her puppy’s journey.
“It was definitely exciting to see the page take it off and read comments on how Sunday affects these people and how that’s the best part of their day and how it brightens up their day,” Gamble said. “They may have had the worst day they’ve ever had. Then they go and the Sundays appear on their pages and make them forget about the bad days they had at work and the like.”
Despite Gamble’s dedication to Sundae’s health, her family eventually received devastating news that cancer at the 12-year-old lab is spreading and progressing too much.
On May 14th, Gamble shared Sunday’s prognosis with his followers. The next day she shared that Sunday was having trouble eating but enjoyed a McDonald’s meal.
Sunday dies after fighting cancer
On May 16th, Gamble shared a post she and her followers feared.
The comments below the post are sincere and sincere, and we are grateful that over 18,000 people shared their love for the lab and brightened up the days of our family.
“Thank you Sunday for improving your days when you couldn’t do it. I hope you’ll catch that squirrel wherever you are now. It’ll be a relief,” he said.
Sundae’s final moments were filmed on video
But, as condolences were poured in, something a little unexpected happened. Gambling shared that when the vet came to his home and performed euthanasia, her mother, also known as Sunday’s beloved grandmother, was there to provide support. Gambling said he was very tangible to have a phone or camera at this moment. Instead, she hoped it was just them, and Sunday grabbed their undivided attention.
However, her mom wanted to film the video. That may sound pathological, she told her daughter, but I promise you would want to remember this.
Sundae’s peaceful transition got caught up in the film. When Gambling got it back, she realized that her mom was right. This video was something she was happy to have, and that was what she ultimately decided to share.
“In the beginning, it was like I didn’t know if this was too much,” she said. “But I have it on my followers that it’s because she’s helped me throughout her life to make sure she’s paid for his medical bills and even get her to reach her ever.”
The commenter under the touching compliment told Gamble that he not only said goodbye to Sunday, but also made him better understand what euthanasia looks like and not let him fear he’s on his pet’s side when the time comes.
“Thank you for showing people that there’s nothing to fear and that they can be with the baby until the very end. Goodbye Sunday. We’ll miss you, Sunny Bunny.”
In their final moments, Gamble put it together better than anyone else: “And it’s the Sunday story.”
“She was in pain and I was happy with her. I was so happy to see her life relaxed, her breathing slowed, and she fell asleep peacefully,” Gamble added. “She was peaceful, she was rested and that’s what she deserved…. I was so happy that she had such a beautiful life.”
