North Bay, Ont., woman says goodbye to her famous pup who appeared on David Letterman, AGT

Sara Carson, originally from North Bay, announced this week the passing of her pup, Hero, who became something of a celebrity. (File)

Sara Carson, originally from North Bay, announced this week the passing of her pup, Hero, who became something of a celebrity.

“You think you can prepare yourself for the day you have to say goodbye … the truth is that you can’t,” Carson posted on her Facebook page.

Hero and Carson first gained fame in 2012 when they appeared on a Stupid Pet Tricks segment on David Letterman.

“Hero had Letterman in stitches by barking into a soap-soaked wand to produce bubbles,” CTV reported at the time.

“Carson, a 20-year-old stunt dog trainer, says she taught the trick to Hero and emailed videotaped footage of it to Letterman's producers. Six months later they responded.”

Carson appeared on the show with then three-year-old black and white pooch, who came from a farm in Peterborough, Ont.

Licked Letterman's face

Before Hero did his trick, Letterman bent down to pet him and cooed in the baby voice he often used with dogs on the segment: "Hello, sweetie, ohhh, what a sweetie."

Hero responded with a lick on the side of Letterman's face.

"If he could, he probably would've taken (Hero) home," Carson said in 2012. "He really, really liked him."

Carson taught the trick to Hero and emailed videotaped footage of it to Letterman's producers. Six months later they responded.

The pair also appeared on America’s Got Talent in 2017, placing fifth and moving to the next round before being eliminated.

In her Facebook post, Carson said Hero had a heart condition.

“Hero was cared for by Mandy Eakins & Michael Eakins for the past few years after getting diagnosed with Valley Fever and a heart condition,” Carson wrote.

“He defeated the odds and was able to control his heart condition very well.”

Hero also had kidney failure and tumours on his spleen.

“Hero was happy, loved and knew that he was the best boy,” Carson wrote. “I am forever grateful for all the support we have had in the past 13 years. Everything from car rides to shows, fans at events and the support to follow a dream.

“There will never be another dog like Hero. He touched the lives of millions of people. He helped me through some of the darkest times in my life. I owe everything I have today to this dog.”