The doctors allowed the dog to enter the room to say goodbye to his owner – a few hours later, the nurse walked in and screamed in horror

Two hours later, a bark echoed down the hallway. Nurses stopped mid-stride. A thin dog with a graying muzzle stood at the doorway, tail wagging weakly, scanning the room until his eyes landed on the man.

The nurse opened the door. Ritchie trotted inside, paying no mind to anyone else. He climbed onto the bed with careful steps, avoiding the wires and tubes, and curled against his human.

“My boy,” the man whispered, threading trembling fingers through the familiar fur. “You made it.”

Ritchie pressed his head to the man’s chest, aligning his breathing with the fading heartbeat beneath. Tears slid down the man’s cheeks as he stroked him. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I wasn’t always enough. But thank you… for staying.”

The dog let out a soft whimper, as if answering, “I know.”

The nurse slipped out, giving them privacy. For the first time in days, the man’s face softened.Continue reading…