Dogs really are man’s best friend. They’re the perfect pet, a loyal companion who can keep you company and comfort you when times get tough.
For one man, his beloved dog was there when the most important: on his deathbed. It’s a sad story, but one that ultimately shows the beautiful bond that exists between people and their pets.
John Vincent, a Vietnam veteran Marine, is nearing the end of his days. The 69 year-old was admitted at Raymond G. Murphy Veterans Affairs Medical Center to receive hospice care.
Unfortunately, this meant that he had to part ways his beloved Yorkshire terrier, Patch, who was five years old. He had no family nearby so he gave the dog to Albuquerque Animal Welfare.
John is most likely in his last days. Amy Neal, a palliative social worker for palliative care, asked John if he had any last requests.
John made the simple decision to just see his dog one more times.
The workers were moved by his dying wish and decided to make it happen. This beautiful reunion was between the man’s dog and the worker.
“I asked him if that’s something that would be meaningful for him,” Amy Neal told the Albuquerque Journal. “And it came together very quickly.”
“When the request came in, it was an immediate ‘absolutely,’ and let’s do whatever we can to get it done,” said Danny Nevarez, director of Animal Welfare. “It was as simple as getting Patch over here.”
Albuquerque Animal Welfare team members brought Patch to the hospice. John was moved to see his friend once again.
“Yeah, that’s me, that’s daddy,” Vincent said to Patch. “Are you so happy to see me? I’m so happy to see you.”
According to reports, the patch was quiet during the ride but began to get emotional when they got closer to the hospital.
“It’s almost like he knew, he just started whimpering,” Nevares told the Journal. “Like he had that anticipation.”
Vincent adopted Patch from a neighbor who had a litter. He named the dog after his little patch of white fur, which matched John’s sole patch of white chin hair.
“We were the patch brothers,” Vincent said. He said that he liked that Patch was the smallest litter member, so he could take him on rides on his bike.
It was a touching moment between two long-time friends. Unfortunately, this will likely be their last goodbye.
It is still nice that the vet was able to be reunited with his family, which gives him a little joy at the end.
“It was such a heartwarming moment!” Albuquerque Animal Welfare wrote on Facebook. “They were so happy to see each other and to say they are goodbyes.”
“It was an honor to make this veteran’s final wish come true.”
And if there’s a silver lining, it’s that Patch will still be well taken care of when his owner is gone.
He has returned to the animal shelter where he is looking for a new home—and Animal Welfare says they have an interested adopter lined up.
However, John will always be a part his heart.
It’s a beautiful, bittersweet story that shows how sometimes our pets really are our best friends, even in our final hours.
This story is your chance to share it!
