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.

How wonderful of that nurse. God bless your aunt love.
I'm sure Snickers visit helped ease her pain.

Hugs Shirl x x

You can take doggies into our hospital to visit. They changed the rules. I would talk to the admin to see if the rules can be modernized. Kacee goes to the hospital here.

That was a wonderful thing you did. I've got tears in my eyes.

What a wonderful story. I am crying tears of joy and sadness for your aunt.
I hope she realizes how much you love her. She sounds as if she is a wonderful person, and God only takes the best. Remember one day she will be with her Snickers again. What joy that will be.
Have you set up for more visits. I'm sure even though you live 5 hours away, that some other family member close by would bring Snickers again. It may help a wonderful lady live her last days in peace.
Sure worth checking into.
Hugs for you and her. and SNICKERS!

You are a special person to persevere in finding a way to get your Aunt to see Snickers again. Is there any in hom hospice's to let your aunt stay at home with her Snicer's. They are so great. I will keep your Aunt in my prayers.

Bless that nurses's heart. Everyone knows that animals are healer's to the
sick and elderly. I would most diffenately talk to Admin and see what can
be done to give your aunt some happy time daily to spend with her Snickers.
If not, I would wheel her out into the yard anyhow and have Snicker's waiting
for her visit. Like you said, your Aunt dosen't have much time left and she
should have whatever she wishes at this point in her life. No way would the
hopsital stand between me and the little happiness I could give to a dying
family member. Just the thought of such a simple request being denied to such a sick person if heartless. Your a wonderful caring niece. Your aunt
is blessed to have you.

In one of the veteran's hospitals that my dad was in, the doctor would occasionally bring in a HORSE !!! (as well as cats and dogs) The patients would pet them , so theraputic !!!!

How nice to hear Snicker's was allowed to visit you aunt !

A picture tells a thousand words !!!

so glad that one of the nurse had a heart!

This is such a sad yet heart warming story. Thank you for sharing..I hope everything turns out for the better and thank goodness for that last nurse!!

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Many prayers-Kay & Jaxon

oohh what a sweet thing you did! Persistance paid off! :) You made your aunts whole weekend Im sure!

I am crying with you as I read this story. I am assuming your aunt is in hospice care? My mother passed of cancer years ago and when it was time for hospice we chose to take her home, thats where she wanted to be. We had nurses come in to help but mostly family took care of her.

What a blessing it was for her to see her baby, I hope she can see snickers more and more as I believe he will help her on those bad days.


((hugs)) to you and a specail prayer to that nurse who was indeed an angel

Ahhhh....your post made me :( and :) . I am so happy that your aunt got to visit with her baby! You are a good niece!

Awhhh
 

You guys know by now... I am easily moved... Thank God that nurse let your Aunt see Snickers....
You warmed my heart today...:fallen:

That is such a touching story. I am glad your aunt got to see Snickers. That was so nice of you and your husband to bring him to see her. I hope she gets to visit with him many more times.

That is such a bittersweet story....truly heart wrenching. Good for your persistance. I'm so glad your aunt got to see and hold her "baby".