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Are_grits_groceries

(17,111 posts)
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 05:12 AM Mar 2012

Dying Man's Final Wish: One Last Meeting With His Dog

Roger Calvert told friends and family that more than anything, he just wanted his best friend Bailey by his side to see him through the final days of his journey. The former Pittsburgh resident, now living in Florida, was visiting Pennsylvania recently and scheduled a checkup with his doctor. At the appointment, Calvert was told that he had cancer, and would only live for a matter of days.

Shocked and understandably saddened by the news, Calvert let it be known that his final wish was to have Bailey visit with him before he was gone. When Nick Petti of Family Hospice and Palliative Care heard about Calvert’s plight, he made an urgent call to ‘Pilots N Paws’, a volunteer group known for saving countless lives each year by transporting dogs to shelters and adoptive homes across the country. That call set the wheels in motion for a scramble to make arrangements to fly Bailey to PA, and in no time, she took off for Pittsburgh.

Literally within hours, Bailey was at Calvert’s side, nuzzling with her best friend in his darkest hours, granting a dying man’s final wish before it was too late. It was a moment hospital employees say they won’t soon forget, a moment made possible by the kindness of strangers united in a common cause.

“(Calvert) was visibly relieved when Bailey was there with him,” said Petti. “This huge burden seemed to be off his shoulders, and he was more calm and comfortable that she had arrived and was there with him.”
http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2012/03/dying-mans-final-wish-one-last-meeting-with-dog/

Good on everybody who helped! RIP Roger Calvert!







44 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Dying Man's Final Wish: One Last Meeting With His Dog (Original Post) Are_grits_groceries Mar 2012 OP
Aw jeez... Nostradammit Mar 2012 #1
What a wonderful story... CaliforniaPeggy Mar 2012 #2
I have so much more to say on this story jsmirman Mar 2012 #3
And I doubt this dog was transported on any roof-top of a car. glowing Mar 2012 #4
That's akll you can say? I'm so emilyg Mar 2012 #32
Well it is a political message board and the story is in general discussion - TBF Mar 2012 #33
Speaking entirely for myself, I would rather have any dog with me on my death bed instead of hayrow1 Mar 2012 #40
Hahahahahahaha. Thank you for that and your quote. schmice Mar 2012 #34
How lovely malaise Mar 2012 #5
People who've never had pets,... MarianJack Mar 2012 #6
i have driven dogs irisblue Mar 2012 #7
Makes sense to me. Scuba Mar 2012 #8
Absolutely. mac56 Mar 2012 #9
... xchrom Mar 2012 #10
Damn my allergies... progressoid Mar 2012 #11
Thank-you for posting this great story vankuria Mar 2012 #12
*Sob* myrna minx Mar 2012 #13
Dogs are absolutely amazing to me. lumberjack_jeff Mar 2012 #14
easy GiveMeFreedom Mar 2012 #16
I think a Corgi would be a wonderful pet to have. dixiegrrrrl Mar 2012 #17
I'm so glad your treatments are going well renate Mar 2012 #18
hugs to you and Jax (and to Roger and Bailey) BlancheSplanchnik Mar 2012 #22
Hunting primarily. joshcryer Mar 2012 #39
What a wonderful story. hifiguy Mar 2012 #15
Okay, can't resist posting this one more time: woo me with science Mar 2012 #19
That's such a cute cartoon. tabasco Mar 2012 #29
Dogs always love you.... they know how to comfort you when you need it RedEarth Mar 2012 #20
What a nice story. Nothing seems to matter in the world when your days are number and you southernyankeebelle Mar 2012 #21
. HillWilliam Mar 2012 #23
Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Mar 2012 #24
Animals are so wise and compassionate Smilo Mar 2012 #25
The dog looks happy to be by his side! Quantess Mar 2012 #26
Dogs are born with an instinctive love for people. tabasco Mar 2012 #27
That is such a tear-jerker. RebelOne Mar 2012 #28
Making me cry now NICO9000 Mar 2012 #30
If anyone asks, this is what I want. EFerrari Mar 2012 #31
Very moving. I hope this man found serenity in his last days. I also hope he found a way to assure MindandSoul Mar 2012 #35
Such a tear-jerker...I'm happy they were brought together... joeybee12 Mar 2012 #36
Heartbreaking and inspirational Iwillnevergiveup Mar 2012 #37
OMG THIS MAKES ME CRY Taverner Mar 2012 #38
Pilots N Paws is a great organization Major Nikon Mar 2012 #41
All blessings to those who made this happen. Withywindle Mar 2012 #42
So very beautiful!!! n/t RKP5637 Mar 2012 #43
Reminds me of this pic from last year. ErikJ Mar 2012 #44

Nostradammit

(2,921 posts)
1. Aw jeez...
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 05:16 AM
Mar 2012


Whatever else can be said about Roger Calvert, he was a good dog owner.

Humans' ability to love their animals gives me great hope.

jsmirman

(4,507 posts)
3. I have so much more to say on this story
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 05:27 AM
Mar 2012

as I would like to tell the story of my little one, who was with my great-aunt when he was first rescued, and who was next to her during her last days, but for now I just will say K&R...

 

glowing

(12,233 posts)
4. And I doubt this dog was transported on any roof-top of a car.
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 06:15 AM
Mar 2012

Just tells you what a sick fuck Romney is and shouldn't be in charge of anything, let alone this country!

TBF

(31,921 posts)
33. Well it is a political message board and the story is in general discussion -
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 08:13 PM
Mar 2012

I'd expect a different response in the pets group but when it's in GD you'll hear from everyone.

 

hayrow1

(198 posts)
40. Speaking entirely for myself, I would rather have any dog with me on my death bed instead of
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 10:26 PM
Mar 2012

Mitt Romney.

MarianJack

(10,237 posts)
6. People who've never had pets,...
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 06:48 AM
Mar 2012

...as well as bain romney, have NO IDEA how an animal can be a true best friend.

What a touching story. K&R!

PEACE!

irisblue

(32,828 posts)
7. i have driven dogs
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 06:51 AM
Mar 2012

from state rescue to rescue groups. i have always felt it to be an honor and a blessing. i'm typing this with princess peanuts' head on my knee as i type this...gotta get some kleenex.

vankuria

(901 posts)
12. Thank-you for posting this great story
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 09:54 AM
Mar 2012

I can totally relate...my sweet little fella is always there for me, providing me with comfort and love. When I had pneumonia for a month he never left my side. They truely are our best friends in the world. So glad there are kind folks out there who made it their mission to reunite this man with his dog...warms my heart.

GiveMeFreedom

(976 posts)
16. easy
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 12:13 PM
Mar 2012

I have never met a dog that has said one bad word to me. He/she might not like me, may be scared of me, may growl, be shy, but always truthful and honest with their feelings. When a dog loves you ... you know the rest.

My friend, protector, extra ears, extra eyes, personal heater, exerciser, furry rub, ??? Love me some JAX (his name) and we have gotten real close since I have been home for two years now, working on the cancer thing too. Although I am having some good results with my treatments. Oh, he's a purebred corgi, a furry, furry corgi. He's neutered also, responsible owners that don't breed make sure you do that!

joshcryer

(62,265 posts)
39. Hunting primarily.
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 09:08 PM
Mar 2012

Hunters would take the tamest dogs from a litter, and either kill the rest or leave them with their wild mother. Amazingly, it does not require many generations to take a wild animal and "domesticate" it. Artificial selection is a hell of a thing.

There's a fascinating program on NOVA that covers it: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/nature/dogs-decoded.html

And this one, too: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/nature/how-smart-dogs.html

 

hifiguy

(33,688 posts)
15. What a wonderful story.
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 11:33 AM
Mar 2012

Our furry companions are the truest friends we will ever have.

Hats off to all who made this possible.

woo me with science

(32,139 posts)
19. Okay, can't resist posting this one more time:
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 01:56 PM
Mar 2012

I have tears in my eyes. I'm so glad he got to see his friend.

(I wish I could make this a little smaller, but I can't right now)

 

southernyankeebelle

(11,304 posts)
21. What a nice story. Nothing seems to matter in the world when your days are number and you
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 02:45 PM
Mar 2012

have the things around you to make it easy. RIP.

Smilo

(1,944 posts)
25. Animals are so wise and compassionate
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 03:00 PM
Mar 2012

no wonder Roger wanted Bailey with him. Dogs can comfort like no human being can.

 

tabasco

(22,974 posts)
27. Dogs are born with an instinctive love for people.
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 06:38 PM
Mar 2012

I wish people were that way.

My dog is my role model, best friend, and snuggle buddy.

NICO9000

(970 posts)
30. Making me cry now
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 06:59 PM
Mar 2012

I have a devoted cat who I rescued 16 years ago and we're both still going strong. He's the most devoted pet i've ever had (and I've had a few of 'em). My wife calls him the "velcro kitty" 'cos if I'm sitting in my chair, he's always on my lap.

Animals are the best!

MindandSoul

(1,817 posts)
35. Very moving. I hope this man found serenity in his last days. I also hope he found a way to assure
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 08:47 PM
Mar 2012

that his beloved Bailey would be well taken care of after he was no longer there to do it.

Iwillnevergiveup

(9,298 posts)
37. Heartbreaking and inspirational
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 08:54 PM
Mar 2012

Kudos to the folks who made the reunion possible....talk about first responders!

Blessings to Roger, his family, and friends. And to you, Grits, for posting.

K&R

Withywindle

(9,988 posts)
42. All blessings to those who made this happen.
Fri Mar 16, 2012, 10:40 PM
Mar 2012

To all those who comfort the dying, and recognize the vital importance of love in all its forms.



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