from Sacred Stories Of Our Own, Beacon Hospice, Inc.
One of my volunteers started visiting a home care patient who has dementia. This patient had a dog whose name is "Itty Bit". The volunteer and the patient became very close and after visiting for nearly a year, the patient's condition became worse and she had to be admitted to a a facility. It became obvious to everyone that Itty Bit would be lost without her master. The family decided to ask the volunteer if she would take Itty Bit and she agreed. Itty Bit and she have become fast friends and are inseparable. The family and the volunteer agree that Itty Bit's mother would love knowing that Itty Bit is cared for and loved. The volunteer agrees that it is just an "itty bit" of a thing to care for people and the things they love when they can't do it anymore.
Who would you trust with your loved ones or your favorite pet? We forget that our patients have beautiful pets that are left wondering where their loved ones have gone. They have no concept of time. They love unconditionally and miss them. I just think it's great that I get to meet people in this field who open their hearts and homes not only to help their human counter parts, but their four-legged friends as well.
