TV host Jon Stewart breaks down in tears as he pays tribute to his dog Dipper

For many a dog isn’t just a pet, they are part of the family.

They help you keep a positive outlook and put a smile on your face in even the darkest of times.

Jon Stewart highlighted how important his own dog, Dipper, was after announcing that he had sadly died recently.

While talking to the audience during Monday's (February 26) The Daily Show, the host held back tears in a clip that has now gone viral.

Stewart began by explaining how he and his kids came to pick up the dog that meant so much to his family.

“Animal Haven, in New York City, they do incredible work. It is a no kill shelter for cats and dogs,” he began before receiving applause from his audience.

Stewart explained that he and his children wanted to raise money for the shelter so had baked cupcakes.

As an added incentive the shelter brought out a one-year-old Brindle Pitbull who had been hit by a car in Brooklyn and lost his leg.

At this point Stewart became a little emotionally overwhelmed and brought up a box of tissues.

"They put the dog in my lap and we left that day feeling really good that we had helped this great organization. We also left with this 1-ish Pitbull, we called him Dipper,” he continued.

“In a world of good boys, he was the best.”

The TV host went on to explain how Dipper was 'part of the OG Daily Show crew' as he used to come to the show everyday.

Stewart added: "He met actors and authors and presidents and kings.

"And he did what the Taliban could not do, which is put a scare into Malala Yousafzai."

The show then cut to a behind-the-scenes clip of the activist running and hiding from the playful pooch.

“Dipper passed away yesterday,” he said as attempted to hold back his tears. “He was ready. He was tired, but I wasn’t. And the family, we were all together. Thank goodness. We were all with him. But, boy, my wish for you is one day you find that dog, that one dog, that just is the best.”

Stewart ended the segment with his show's signature 'Moment of Zen', which was an adorable 20-second video of Dipper playing around in the snow.

Viewers have since taken to social media to pay their respects to Stewart and his beloved Dipper.

One wrote: "The most beautiful of gifts is the love of a dog. But the cruelest turn is to have to say goodbye. There’s never enough time. Never."

Another added: "I have tears streaming down my face, as I’m sure all of us dog lovers do."

While a third commented: "I’m a mess. Rest well best boy Dipper, you were so loved."

Topics: Celebrity, Dogs, Animals

Gerrard Kaonga

Gerrard is a Journalist at UNILAD and has dived headfirst into covering everything from breaking global stories to trending entertainment news. He has a bachelors in English Literature from Brunel University and has written across a number of different national and international publications. Most notably the Financial Times, Daily Express, Evening Standard and Newsweek.