College student stays with dying shelter dog all night so he won’t be alone
As much as we want to save every animal, sometimes it’s just not possible. This was the case for Janine Guido, founder of Speranza Animal Rescue, when she met Watson, a homeless pit bull found in a park in Philadelphia. After a college student brought him to an emergency vet, Watson was diagnosed with cancer that had already spread and was given little time to live. Despite the odds, the team at the shelter agreed to take Watson in and provide him with the best care possible.
However, Guido had a gut feeling that things wouldn’t end well. She didn’t want to leave Watson alone when he needed her the most, so she gathered blankets and canine beds and spent the night holding him close. Watson slept like a rock, cuddled up tight to Guido, while she cried herself to sleep.
The next morning, Watson’s condition worsened. He stopped eating and drinking, and Guido knew it was only a matter of time. She continued to comfort him as best she could until he passed away, surrounded by love and kindness – possibly for the first time in his life.
Reflecting on the experience, Guido expressed her gratitude for being able to hold Watson tight during his last night. She told him how much he was loved and that his life mattered, even though it was cut short. While her heart was breaking, she wouldn’t change a thing about the experience – because it was a reminder of the power of love and compassion, even in the face of loss.
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