Comfort in the Last Moments of Life

Submitted by Rona Hammetter, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Zia Hospice requested that a Pet Partner team visit “D,” an elderly woman hospitalized in one of its facilities. D. was dying from congestive heart failure. Keri Scott and I decided to alternate weeks in order to take Hayley (Golden Retriever) and Simba (Chow cross) to visit this patient. 

Throughout our many visits, D responded in a state of confusion but was always sweet and pleasant. She really enjoyed the dogs and seemed to remember them each time; however, she did not remember the accompanying humans. 

Each visit was focused on light conversation and allowed D. to talk to a person and a dog who did not have any expectations and were unconditionally accepting of her poor ability to converse. The dogs calmed her and gave her an opportunity to touch their luxurious coats. These visits continued on a weekly basis for over six months. 

One visit was quite different. D. was in the process of dying. She had laid in her bed for three days without responding to anyone. Simba and I entered her room and found D. facing the wall. She had labored breathing and did not respond to my touch or voice. The staff reported that she would die very soon and that she was totally non-responsive to her environment. 

I talked to D., while rubbing and holding her hand, telling her how much we had enjoyed visiting and what the visits had meant to both Keri and me, as well as the dogs. 

As I spoke to D, Simba seemed very quiet and attentively sat beside the bed. Prior to leaving, I decided to invite Simba to visit with his friend for the last time. 

Simba is quite a gentleman, and he never climbs on a bed, not even touching it with his paws. I placed some of his treats along the edge of the bed and released Simba to rest his paws so that he could "gobble" the treats. I encouraged him to remain in this position once the treats were gone, which he did. I then took D.'s hand and helped her rub Simba's soft head and ears. The rubbing continued for about two minutes before D. smiled and said "doggie.” She laughed; therefore, the petting continued until she again returned to her labored breathing and unresponsive state. 

Simba was then freed from his position. I rubbed D.'s hand and said goodbye to her for the last time. As Simba and I reached the door, D. released a wonderful laugh and said "doggie" one more time. This was the last response she had to anyone. 

Simba and I realize we were extremely fortunate to have brought this last bit of comfort to D. on her last day of life on earth.