A unique farewell in a hospital in Groningen
A dog has been given the opportunity to say a final goodbye to its dying owner at the UMCG in Groningen, as reported by RTV Noord. The farewell has been allowed so that the dog can grieve, and move on following its owners death.
The dog got near the bed of the patient to be with its dying owner once more. “He settled on the bed,” says head nurse Carla Veldhuis. “We do it more often, but not regularly,” continued Veldhuis about the farewell: “we think it is important that if there is such a close bond between owner and dog, they can say goodbye.”
The dog came to the UMCG together with the owner’s partner and friends. He was then placed on the bed and he snuggled very quietly next to the patient, and nestled himself there.
He seemed very relaxed, and the dog and his owner were always a very close, says Veldhuis. “He lay down quietly there. We saw that the dog got off the bed after a while via the partner’s lap. Then it was very clear to us: he said goodbye. He’s doing well now. He seems very relaxed. ”
Image via Wikimedia user MigGroningen, license here
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