Farewell, my friend: Heart-breaking pictures capture terminally ill pets in one final embrace with their loving owners before they die

It's the moment every pet owner dreads - when the time comes when they have to say a final goodbye to a faithful friend.

These heart-breaking end-of-life snaps are meant to highlight the special relationship between an owner and their dying pet in its last moments.

Sarah Ernhart, the owner of Sarah Beth Photography in Minneapolis, created them in what she dubbed a 'Joy Session', in which she records owners' last embrace with their pets that are too old to live or have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses.

Final embrace: These special, end-of-life photography sessions are just for terminally ill or elderly pets

Mrs Ernhart, who has been a professional photographer since 2006, trademarked the name Joy Session, and began offering them in 2010. She has since had more than 100 shoots with owners and their pets.

'People seem to love the idea,' she said. 'It's getting bigger and bigger.'

The service has become so popular that Mrs Ernhart has built a directory of photographers around the world who shoot terminally ill pets with their owners.

'It can definitely be very emotional,' Mrs Ernhart said. 'It's a very sensitive time for these people who have been with these animals for their entire lives. I definitely have cried with some of the owners.

'The sessions can be happy at the same time because the owners get to talk about their favorite little quirks and things that they like about their pets. I get this inside view of what these people's lives are like. It's a pretty powerful.'

Explaining how she came up with the idea, Mrs Ernhart said: 'The name "Joy Session" is not something I arbitrarily chose. There's a very personal meaning behind it, and I'd like to share how it all began.

Mrs Ernhart said: 'The name "Joy Session" is not something I arbitrarily chose. There's a very personal meaning behind it'

The images were created by photographer Sarah Ernhart, the owner of Sarah Beth Photography in Minneapolis

Last moments: The beautiful, yet heartbreaking pictures, are meant to highlight the relationship between pet and owner before they pass

'Shortly before Christmas in 2009, I had a photo shoot with a woman named Joan. Her friend booked the session as a gift, and we had a beautiful sunny day for it.

'Joan was living at home in Hospice care, and relied on the companionship and day-to-day help of her Service Dog, a Black Lab named Joy. Joy was her rock, her best friend, and had saved Joan's life on more than one occasion.

'She would let Joan know when her blood sugar was low, and if she was about to have a seizure. Joy would place herself under Joan to break her fall, stand firm to help her up, and was by her side day and night. I came into this session knowing that Joan didn't have much time left, but I had no idea I'd be meeting such a vibrant, funny, happy woman.

Mrs Ernhart, who has been a professional photographer since 2006, began offering her service in 2010

The service has become widespread enough that Mrs Ernhart has built a directory of photographers around the world who shoot terminally ill pets with their owners

'She was so blessed to have Joy come into her life, and her eyes lit up with every story she told of her. She said that Joy was her "gift from God" and taking these photos had given her something wonderful to look forward to.

'Their bond was palpable, and it was easy to see that both of them were very loved. Her apartment was filled with the word "Joy" in artwork and pillows and Christmas decorations.

'She even wore a "Joy" sweatshirt during our session.We sat and chatted for a long time. Joan's zest for life, even with her declining health, was a breath of fresh air for me, and helped me see that what I do is meaningful and important in so many ways.

Emotional: The photographer said the sessions are for people who want to 'celebrate the happiness' their pets have brought to their lives

Final farewell: Two boys pictured saying their final goodbye to their pet dog

Last rites: An owner strokes his pet in the park before the terminally ill dog dies

'Without knowing it at the time, she and Joy sparked the idea to offer photo sessions specifically for pets that are nearing the end of their lives.

'For so many people, their pets mean the world to them, and I want to provide an opportunity to capture what makes them so special, especially in such a difficult time.

'My first "official" Joy session was with a Bernese Mountain dog named Griffin, in January of 2010. I really didn't know what to call this service, and "Emergency Session" was the first thing I could think of. It sounded so cold and impersonal, and I struggled with what I should really call it.

Difficult time: For many people, their pets mean the world to them, said Mrs Ernhart

The snapper says she had more than 100 shoots with owners and their pets since she launched the service three years ago

Last embrace: A woman with her beloved pet dog in its last moments

Goodbye old friend: A faithful pet dog shortly before it is put down

Time to say goodbye: A dog pictured looking on. Little does it know there is only a short while left

Difficult time: For many people, their pets mean the world to them, said Mrs Ernhart

Mrs Ernhart said: 'The sessions can be happy at the same time because the owners get to talk about their favorite little quirks and things that they like about their pets'

'A few days after posting Griffin's blog, and receiving some very nice suggestions from readers, I realised the perfect name was sitting right in front of me. I couldn't think of anything or anyone I'd met who embodied such love and such a deep connection as Joan and Joy.

'These sessions really are for people who want to celebrate the happiness - the joy - their pets have brought to their lives.'

Mrs Ernhart is a pet owner herself with a miniature schnauzer and two cats.