Veteran In Hospice Care Gets His Final Wish Granted To See His Dog One More Time

Oct 30, 2019 by apost team

There is a certain kind of bond that we develop with our pets that simply can’t be matched by anything else. Since pets are so important to us, we feel the need for them to be with us when we leave this life like any other family member. To that end, an elderly veteran was able to see his dog one last time before entering the hereafter. 

69-year-old Vietnam War veteran John Vincent had to say goodbye to his beloved five-year-old Yorkie named Patch when he had to enter hospice care.

Giving Patch to Albuquerque Animal Rescue, the Marine Corps veteran felt the need to see his little friend again as he underwent palliative care at Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center. Workers at the hospital and the rescue group quickly worked on honoring John’s request according to the Albuquerque Journal. 

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Danny Nevarez, animal welfare director at Albuquerque Animal Rescue, drove Patch to the hospital for his reunion with John. Speaking with reporters from the Albuquerque Journal, Danny said that while Patch didn’t utter a peep on the car ride, he began to cry when he saw John again. “It’s almost like he knew, he just started whimpering,” he said. “Like he had that anticipation.”

Patch wasn’t the only one crying as physicians and social workers openly wept at the beautiful reunion. When it was time to go, Danny promised John that the rescue agency would find Patch a happy forever home. Later reports indicate that Patch did indeed get adopted shortly after saying goodbye to John.

The Vietnam veteran was more than happy to talk about how he and Patch met, as well as his immense love of dogs. John got Patch from one of his neighbors, whose dog had a litter of puppies.

John said that he named the dog Patch because both he and the dog had a little patch of grey hair on their chins. John also liked that Patch is small because it allowed him to ride on his motorcycle with ease. Originally from Montana, John didn’t have many relatives in New Mexico, so Patch became his closest family in his final years.

What do you think of how John was reunited with Patch as he faced the end of his life? What do you think of their amazing bond?