When a patient receives a terminal diagnosis, it raises a whole host of issues that have to be resolved in their final months: friends and relatives need to be notified, arrangements have to be made and any number of other difficult, end-of-life issues.
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Unfortunately, they and family members are often so distraught that they forget to make arrangements for pets, many of whom end up in shelters or euthanized.
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But Texas resident Walter Hollier made a promise to his wife, who died of breast cancer two years ago: “One of the last things she told me on her deathbed was, ‘Please take care of Doc.'”
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Then in June, Walter was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer and given up to six months to live.
He’s beaten that timeline so far, but when the time comes, he’ll be comforted to know that the couple’s two dogs are in loving homes and will be cared for the rest of their lives.
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Family members agreed to take in Doc, the older of the two (pictured above on the right), but Walter turned to Facebook last month to find a good home for Diego.
Above a picture of a smiling Diego sprawled out in the bed of a pickup, he wrote that he’s an 8-year-old, well-behaved red heeler. Though parting with him would be extremely difficult, “it would bring me great comfort when I die that he is well taken care of.â€
Hi, My name is Walt Hollier and this a pic of my dog Diego. 6 months ago I was diagnosed with liver cancer, stage 4, terminal. I was given 3 to 6 months to live. So in all likelihood, I will be leaving this world soon.
I must find Diego a caring and loving home. He is 8 yrs old and loves people. He has not shown ANY aggressive behavior in 8 yrs. He is in great health and loves to run,play, swim, and ride in cars or trucks. He is a red heeler, weighs 50 lbs. He is a great watch dog, and real low maintenance.
It tears me heart out to lose him.But it would bring me great comfort when I die that he is well taken care of. I live in the Austin area. So if you can help in ANY way, please contact me.
His post was shared tens of thousands of times and prompted at least 100 people to contact him about adopting the pooch. In a follow-up post later that same day, Walter thanked everyone for sharing.
To all you wonderful folks who helped me find a home for my dog Diego, Thank you.I would loved to answered each and every one of you,but with over 92,000 hits,Im sure you can understand that Im overwhelmed.
Diego has been adopted by The Last Resort. It is a men’s recovery center in Smithville Tx. He lives on 50 acres of beautiful land with horses and cows and free range. He has 40+ new friends and is acting as a service dog for men in recovery. He is getting lots of TLC, and only being 50 miles away, I can visit him a lot.
The center’s located in a rural, unpopulated area, and “I cried down the dirt road. It was like cutting a cord, you know. He’s like my child,”he said.
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But The Last Resort is close enough for him to be able to visit regularly, and he’s happy to know Diego’s new home includes 50 acres of land, as well as dozens of farm animals to befriend.
I could have not asked for a better conclusion. It’s a win for Diego, a win for me, and a win for men who need a buddy right now. So thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers, and have made me aware of how many good folks there are out there.
Share to spread thanks that so many people stepped up to the plate for Diego, and that there are people out there like Walter who understand the importance of a lifetime commitment.
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