An emotional final reunion between a terminally ill New York man and his two beloved German Shepherds just hours before his death left an entire room of doctors in tears.
The man, who asked WCBS only to identify him as Mr. Spencer, was a patient at Columbia University Irving Medical Center whose dying wish was to say goodbye to his dogs, Bowie and Nikki, and to make sure they end up in a loving home.
On January 30, in coordination with NYC Second Chance Rescue, the hospital arranged an emotional reunion in Spencer’s room, where Bowie and Nikki eagerly licked his hand and stayed by his side, captured in a video shared by the shelter on Facebook.
“It was a tearjerker, seeing them get so excited to see their owner,” Jennifer Brooks, the rescue’s founder, told WCBS. “They laid near his bed. We stayed for quite a while. There was a room of about 10 doctors, and literally, there was not a dry eye in the room.”
Just hours after the emotional visit, Spencer passed away. The hospital did not disclose his illness.
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With no relatives or caretakers able to take beloved pooches, the rescue is now tasked with honoring Spencer’s wish by finding the pair a loving forever home.
“I believe that seeing him in that state, they knew they had to move on now, and they’re gonna find a new, loving home,” Brooks told WCBS.
Rescue staff describe Nikki, 10, and Bowie, 4, as a deeply bonded pair who are exceptionally well-trained, affectionate, and people-friendly. They are housebroken, enjoy walks and games of fetch and thrive on being near each other and the people they love, according to a Valentine’s Day-themed Facebook post.
The dogs must be adopted together and cannot live with other pets, as Bowie does not get along with other dogs.
“They’re big dogs, so being out of the city would be nice for them,” Brooks told WCBS. “They’re therapy dog material. Every person in the hospital who went up to them, they licked their hand. They’re super friendly.”
As of Monday, the pair is still available for adoption, according to a post from the rescue.
Interested applicants must live six hours from NYC and can apply here.
