Being there for someone in their darkest hour is the greatest gift someone can give to another person, the gift of not feeling like they are alone.

Janine Guido, the founder of Speranza Animal Rescue, knows this first hand.

She’s seen so many animals who have suffered and are fighting for their lives and knows the impact a loving gesture can have on them. When she first met Watson, she could tell that he was worn down by some tough experiences.

Watson was found by a college student in a Philadelphia park in a horrific condition.

He was skin and bones from being underfed, was covered in festering sores, and had a giant cancerous tumor on his back leg. Watson was taken to an emergency veterinarian so that he could get 24-hour care.

However, it was too late by then. The cancer had spread and had taken over Watson’s body. There was nothing that could be done to save Watson’s life at this point. At this point, all they could do was keep him comfortable until he passed.

Guido knew that Watson didn’t want to be alone and she wasn’t about to let that happen.

“I had a gut feeling that things weren’t going to be good the next day,” she said. “I didn’t want to leave him alone. Not when he needed me the most.”

So, Guido grabbed some dog beds and some blankets and placed them on the floor of the laundry room at the rescue center.

She laid down next to Watson and snuggled up close to him while she whispered soothing things to him.

This helped poor little Watson to fall fast asleep in a sweet slumber.

“He slept like a rock all night, cuddled up to me so tight,” Guido said. “I cried myself to sleep, and woke up in tears as well.”

That may have been the first time Watson was ever shown that much affection.

“I was telling him how much he was loved — and that his life mattered. My heart is breaking, but I would not change a thing,” Guido said.

Watson did wake up the next morning but he was even more lethargic than the day before.

He stopped eating, drinking, and was pacing in circles. It wasn’t long before he crossed the rainbow bridge and passed away.

“Watson was turning cold, spinning in circles, and falling over this morning. He didn’t know where he was. And I know he was suffering. I took him to Dr. Pryor. I knew in my gut what had to be done, and after speaking with him, I made that final decision. I sat with him til the end. I spoke through my tears,”Guido explained on Facebook.

“I told him how much he was loved. I’m so glad I got to cuddle you and hold you tight last evening. I hope you could feel how much I loved you. Even though I only knew you a short while. At 10:28 this morning, I held you as you took your last breath. You went so peacefully. I know it was your time. God speed sweet Watson. It’s not goodbye, just see ya later.”

Guido and Watson hadn’t spent that much time together, but the time they did share was something that sincerely touched Guido. And that night likely meant the world to Watson.

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Source: The Dodo

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By D.G. Sciortino

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D.G. is a contributing writer in Shareably. She's based in Connecticut and can be reached at [email protected].