A dog's love and a dying woman
 

My aunt has been battling lung cancer for over 3 years. At this point, the treatments are no longer working. They have pretty much given up on her and she has been in the hospital for weeks on a lot of pain medicine. I went to visit her this weekend. She lives 5 hours north of me.

A little bit about my aunt: Shes never had children, but she has had a total of 3 dogs her whole life. They were her kids. She liked to have one dog at a time. They were each loved and spoiled and treated kindly. About four years ago, she bought a Cavachon puppy (cavalier/bichon mix) after her maltese had passed. I had never seen a puppy bond so closely with someone. They slept in the bed every night together for a long long time.

I got to the hospital Friday evening. My aunt begged me over and over to see Snickers. My uncle has been caring for the dog. She was so depressed. I asked the nurse if I could wheel her to the front door of the hospital so my husband can bring her dog to see her. (Its a big dog, so no chance of sneaking it in) The nurse plainly said no and looked at me like I was stupid. I never once seen my aunt cry in my life until then. She was always a strong independent woman. I cried with her. Every shift change, I asked the nurse, and they said NO! But this afternoon, a few hours before I had to head home, I asked the last nurse I was going to see there. She just smiled and said SURE! :)

I told my aunt and she was excited. It seemed like a long painstaking process for her to be helped into the wheelchair, but you could feel her urgency. (She is in so much pain its hard for her to move.) My husband rushed the dog over in the car. I wish I had a video camera. Snickers was so happy to see her mommy. He jumped into her lap and thats where he stayed the whole visit. It was so nice to see my aunt sitting out in the sun talking to her sweetie. I hadn't seen my aunt smile in months.

When the visit was over, Snickers didnt want to go anywhere. My husband had to pull him off her lap and put him in the car whining. It was kind of sad to see. My aunt was in a much better mood when I took her back up. She even started eating her lunch that had been sitting there for hours. I had to say goodbye myself to head home. Im glad I was able to cheer her up. I dont know how much time she has left here on earth, but Im going to visit her as many weekends as I can.

Thank goodness you asked that last nurse! I bet your aunt was filled with joy that you did this for her. :)

Yr story just touched my Heart! I can fully understand her heartache for her sweet baby! So glad you are a blessing in her life too! And God will bless the sweet nurse who showed compassion!

That so made me cry- I pray that your Aunt can have many more times with Snickers before she passes on- She should have whatever she wants right now and if seeing the dog is it than that is what she should have. Bless you for being her advocate and next time you tell the nurses that thats what you are going to do - sometimes these nurses have to have a little more compassion for people that are so ill that is why it is good your aunt has you to tell them for her. I will pray for her, you and sweet Snickers....

I feel so bad for your aunt... and yet I am so glad she has you to make sure she gets to see her baby... how bad a nurse can be ah... not much compassion as what I read... they need to get a grip... this could very well happen to them one day... may it never come back to bite them in the butt....anne

Is there anyway to set up some sort of web cam so she can see her baby more often?

What a touching story. You are a terrific niece and I'm so glad you're persistent!

I am glad she was able to see her baby. Next time TELL the nurse what you are going to do, instead of asking. Some people don't realize we are there for the patients. If it is not hurting her or anyone else you should be able to do as you wish.

What a sweet, sad story. Snickers misses his owner so badly, and your aunt too. I wish they could be together. Animals and humans become so attatched to each other that they need each other. Thank you for sharing your story. :aimeeyork

that is a touching story....! =] what a wonderful experience you have :animal-pa

Oh my .... I am about to cry .... dogs sure make you feel better .... so sorry to hear about your Aunt ..... I hope they get get to spend as much time together as possible ....

All aunts should be blessed with nieces as kind, compassionate and loving as you!

I am sorry that you all have to go through this but you are handling it in a most commendable way. It makes me so happy to hear when young people make such compassionate decisions.

Your parents must be very proud of you. I am.

I will be praying for your aunt and you and your family, including that little dog of hers. How heartbreaking that they have to be seperate now. I am gald you were persistent and got the two of them together.

All the best to you. You deserve it!

oh my gosh.. this is such a sad story:(.. yet it makes me so happy to hear she was able to see Snickers :). It breaks my heart picturing them having to leave each other! :( That is so sweet of you to make that happen for her.. im sure she is more greatful than you will ever know! ;) i will keep your aunt in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing!! xoxo.

What a kind thing you did, I too have had no children and my pups have given me more joy than I could ever say. If you were my relative, I'd never forget the kindness you gave me to see my pup. Your quite a blessing!!

Have you talked with her doctor and told him about the bond she has with her dogs and the fact she does not have any "human children". Doctors can pull more strings for you when it comes to stuff outside the box.

I am so sorry about your Aunt

Also your aunt is a strong woman, my own grandma had lung cancer and she died 6 months after the doctor told her.