A special mention

I don't know whether to wag or droop. I was mentioned in the paper yesterday. Now, ordinarily, I love being in the press (witness this blog).

This time, though, it was in an obituary for one of my patients, Miss Belle:

Belle was a wonderful cook known for her chicken and dumplings and her delicious Christmas dinners. She loved all animals, particularly dogs, and always had a faithful canine or feline companion...

The family would like to thank the staff of both Morganton Long Term Care and Burke Hospice and Palliative Care Center for their care, and Bea, the Hospice dog, who gave comfort and companionship during Belle's last days.

You can read all of Miss Belle's obituary on Morganton.com.

I was proud to be there for Miss Belle. Caring for people, comforting their pups and grandpups, lending a warm furry coat and a cold nose whenever it's needed, being there right til the end... Snuggling through the sorrows, wagging through the joys: that's what it means to be the Hospice Dog.

But I might need a special belly rub today.

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The staff at Burke Hospice & Palliative Care would like to thank the family of Mary Belle Hudson for kindly mentioning our beloved Bea in Mrs. Hudson's obituary.