Kim Still, a nurse at Northside Hospital Gwinnett in Georgia, never thought she would get a second dog.
But that all changed when she decided to take in the dog of one of her patients that was terminally ill.
Still said she immediately bonded with her terminally ill patient, a senior citizen, when they first met.
“I could have never guessed the connection that you develop with some people when you take care of them,” Still told WSB-TV 2. “They just totally changed my life.”
And by “they,” still meant her patient and the patient’s dog Jax.
While in Still’s care, the patient confided in her that her dog Jax was the main source of joy in her life.
“She didn’t have any kids. She didn’t have any family close by. So all she really had was this dog,” Still said.
The woman’s family flew in and told Still that they surrendered Jax to a dog shelter. This did not sit well with Still at all.
“I was very worried that he was not going to be given a good chance and possibly be put down if he didn’t get out of the shelter,” Still said.
The more that Still thought about it, the more it upset her.
So, she went down to the shelter to adopt Jax herself and take him home with her.
The patient was able to learn of Still’s act of kindness before she passed away.
This allowed to her cross over in peace knowing that her Jax would not only be safe but that he would be cared for by someone who was committed to giving him a loving home.
The DAISY Foundation, which honors nurses, awarded Still for her compassionate act of taking in her patient’s dog.
“Kim’s story is one that showed not only compassion for her patient but for her patient’s dog Jax as well,” the Foundation wrote on their Facebook page.
Still said she was happy to be there for her patients in any way she is able.
“Being there, people need to feel heard, and they need to feel like someone cares about them,” Still said.
While everyone applauded Still for changing the lives of her patient and her patient’s dog, she says her life is all the better with Jax in it.
“I was like, I am never going to get rid of him,” she said. “He was so sweet, he is one of the most loving dogs ever.”
Still’s story ended up going viral and was featured in several publications.
“May God Bless You always for your kindest deed to his creature, You are really to be commended, Thank You, and God Bless You always,” wrote one person on The DAISY Foundation’s Facebook page.
“Congratulations! So wonderful to take Jax into your home & love him for his lifetime. That was a great thing for you to do,” said another.
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