The August 5 episode of Emmerdale delivered a double departure as Noah Dingle (Jack Downham) left the village for a job abroad, and the Dingle family said a heartbreaking goodbye to their beloved dog Monty, who was put to sleep.
Noah's decision to leave
Noah had recently decided to apply for a job overseas, feeling tired of his life in the village and eager to create new memories elsewhere. When he told his mother, Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins), about his plans, her reaction initially made him think she wouldn't support him leaving. However, in today's episode, Charity sat down with Noah and told him it was time for him to go, knowing that if he stayed only for her, their relationship would suffer.
As Noah processed the reality of his departure, his relatives were dealing with a parallel loss. Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) had taken Monty to the vets after the family decided it was time to end the poorly pup's suffering.
Monty's final moments
Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick), Sam Dingle (James Hooton), Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper), and Kammy Hadiq (Shebz Miah) gathered at Wishing Well, agreeing it was better to stay and support Kyle and Isaac (Huey Quinn and Bobby Dunsmuir). This left Cain to be the only one with Monty as Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) administered the medication.
The scenes between Cain and Rhona were devastating. Cain spoke to Monty about what a good boy he had been, and told him to ask his dad, Zak Dingle (Steve Halliwell), to take him for lots of walks when he reached heaven. Kyle and Isaac later made their way to the vets, telling Belle they didn't want Cain to be alone with Monty.
A Dingle tradition
The Dingle tradition when one of their own dies is to bury them on family land. As Cain carried Monty to the car, Lydia, Sam, and Kammy quietly gathered around him, united in grief and determined to ensure he didn't face the heartbreaking moment alone.
Just before Noah left Emmerdale, he approached Cain to say one final goodbye. The loss of Monty may seem small to some, but for the Dingles, he was family. Surrounded by those who love him, Cain was reminded that while one chapter was ending painfully, another was beginning for Noah.
More exits to come
Several other characters are set to leave the soap in the coming months, including Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley), Jimmy King (Nick Miles), Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson), and Doctor Caitlin Todd (Caroline Harker). The show continues to air on ITV1, with episodes available early on ITVX and YouTube.
