BRIGHTON, Colo. -- A story of friendship that captured hearts across Colorado, and around the country, has drawn to a sad and abrupt end -- one being felt far and wide.

"Junior," a 15-year-old pot-bellied pig from Creative Acres Sanctuary near Brighton, has died, leaving his feathered best friend depressed and in mourning.

Creative Acres director Maxine Mager said that Junior died in her arms over the weekend at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, where he'd been taken for a leg tumor.

Junior died just a couple minutes after she arrived. The animal's friend, named "A-K-A Chicken," was also present.

Mager said the hen walked from Junior's body up to his head in his final moments, then slowly walked away after the pig had passed.

Junior and A-K-A had been nearly inseparable since September, with the hen spending most of her time perched on the pig's back. Their unlikely pairing had gained attention on national news programs, including ABC's "Good Morning America."

Creative Acres is a no-kill animal shelter.

Medical treatment for "Junior" cost $6,000, according to Mager.

Mager said the friendship between the two showed that "everything deserves a chance," and that "any animal can love."