This summer, not long after the release of his second album Joytime II, Marshmello released the track “Happier” with Bastille. Though the title may have you thinking it’s an upbeat song, “Happier” leaves us with an important message: sometimes, the best thing we can do for someone we love is to say goodbye.

The music video for “Happier” is out now, but be warned: it’s a tearjerker. Decked out in bright yellow, “Happier” centers around a young girl and her dog. Played by Miranda Cosgrove, as a teen she struggles to fit in, experiencing growing pains many of us are familiar with from our formative years. Through it all, her golden retriever remains loyal – “man’s best friend” in the truest way, always there to play and to show affection when she needs it most.

Commenting on the video, Marshmello says:

“When @bastilledan sent me happier for the first time I was taken back. The amount of emotion that you could feel in the lyrics was crazy. As I listened to the song more and more it reminded me of so many things I’ve been through in my life. Toxic relationships, letting go of things I didn’t want to and just situations where happiness came with a sacrifice. Recently I lost my best friend, my companion, my life long friend. I wanted this video to embrace the pain that we feel losing or sacrificing something and the cycle of life that comes with it. I hope this song and video can bring closure in any situation you may be and make us all happier ?”

If you’ve ever had a dog, cat, or any other pet, you know the bond between humans and our companion animals is a powerful one. Losing a pet is heartbreaking, but being able to share the joy of belly scratches, face rubs, and puppy kisses makes it all worth it.