The rescuer comforts the lost person in the night so that he will not pass through alone

At iHeartDogs, we want to bring you touching and uplifting stories. However, we also think it’s important to tell sad stories sometimes.

Devoted animal rescuers like Janine Guido have no option to turn their backs. They cannot simply skim through hopeless cases.

In honor of Guido and countless other rescuers who are doing their best to save, comfort and raise as many dogs as possible, we bring you the story of Watson.

Janine Guido is the founder Speranza Animal Rescue in Mechanicsburg, PA. When she first met me as Watson, she had hoped he might be saved, but soon his eyes told her everything she needed to know. He was tired of fighting.

Found by a college student in a Philadelphia park, the dog was frail, emaciated, and covered in sores. A local emergency veterinarian cared for him for several days, but the prognosis was not good. Watson had a large cancerous tumor in his leg, and the disease appeared to have spread throughout his body. There’s nothing left to do but keep him comfortable.

Guido brings Watson in, bringing him back to her rescue facility. Instead of simply placing him in a cozy cot with food and water, something told Guido that she needed to be with Watson.

“I have a gut feeling that things won’t go well the next day,” she said Dodo. “I don’t want to leave him alone. Not when he needed me the most.”

Instead, Guido collected a pile of dog beds and blankets. She put them in the laundry room and hugged the dying dog. She spent the night patting him on the head and saying sweet words to him. Watson fell asleep and enjoyed what could have been his first and only night in the arms of a loving human being.

“He slept like a rock all night, holding me tight,” Guido said. “I cried in my sleep, and woke up in tears.”

The next morning, Watson refused to eat or drink. He goes round by circle. Guido took him to her vet, and at 10:28 a.m., she hugged him and kissed him as he took his last breath.

We will never know if Watson knew love or kindness before rescuing him. But even if it was only for one night, Guido felt comfortable knowing that she was there for him when he needed it most.

“I’m so grateful I was able to hug him tight last night,” Guido said. “I told him how much he was loved – and how important his life was. My heart is breaking, but I won’t change a thing.”

It is not uncommon for so many animal care workers and rescuers to suffer tired compassion. They are under a lot of pressure to save the sick, rescue the homeless, and love the people the world has forgotten. Unfortunately, not every story can have a happy ending.

If you would like to honor Watson’s memory and show Guido that you appreciate her mission, consider donating to Speranza Animal Rescue. You can also help by supporting your local shelter or rescue group.

Can’t spare cash? This is 15 completely free ways You can help shelter dogs and staff take care of them!

H/T to Dodo

Featured images through Speranza Animal Rescue