The death of Darby, an 8-year-old Golden Retriever, was noticed by more than just his immediate family.

The beloved dog’s passing gripped many in the Havertown community, writes JoAnn Pileggi for Fox 29. 

Darby always happily greeted everyone in the neighborhood, especially the kids who played in the front yard.

He was a fixture in the neighborhood, a friend to the school kids who passed by every day.

Then in December, Darby got sick with cancer.  Three weeks later, his owner, Judy Mount, announced through a lawn sign to the kids on the street that Darby died Jan. 5 from cancer.

“He loved all your hugs, kisses, and sticks you gave him on your way to and from school. Thank you for loving him so much,” the sign read.  

After seeing the sign, school children showed up at the house with handmade cards to express their sorrow and offer comfort..

A neighbor girl said, “I wanted to have a dog like him.”

“I’m normally not at a loss for words, but these two little girls came up to my door. I was speechless,” Mount said. “Neighbors turned into friends because of Darby.”

Find out more about the impact Darby made in his community at Yahoo! News.