A sad story is happening as a man with a terminal illness is more concerned about his loyal dog than himself. David Fine, from Plainville, Massachusetts, wants to find the perfect home for his beloved dog, Babs, before he dies.
Ten years ago, David rescued Babs, a Shar-Pei/Boxer mix, from a shelter. They have been very close ever since. Now, David, who is 63 and has cancer, knows their time together is ending.
David decided not to get treatment for his stage 4 lung cancer because it would lower his quality of life. With only six months left to live, his main goal is to find a safe and loving home for Babs.
“I told myself I wouldn’t get another pet because it hurts too much to lose them,” David told WJAR. “Sadly, this time she will outlive me.”
With no children, David’s loyal dog has become the most important part of his life. He compares finding a home for her to finding a home for a child. “It’s like trying to find a home for your child,” he said. “She is the most important thing now. My fate is decided, but hers isn’t.”
David hopes to see Babs settled in a new home while he is still alive. Once he goes into hospice care, he plans to give Babs to her new family. Although it will be heartbreaking to part with her, he will feel better knowing she is safe and cared for.
Animal rescuer Jennie Mann is helping David find a good home for Babs. She is using social media to spread the word and check potential adopters. Jennie calls David a “sweet, kind-hearted man” and says that finding a home for Babs is his “dying wish.”
“He wants someone to love her like he does. He wants her to know he didn’t abandon her and that he has passed away. He wants her to feel comfortable in her new home so she doesn’t feel like she’s with a stranger,” Jennie wrote on Facebook.
Babs is a loving and friendly dog with no behavior problems, but she needs to be the only pet in the house because she doesn’t get along with other dogs.
Jennie has met with people interested in adopting Babs, but many either have other pets or live too far away. Despite this, they hope to find the perfect home for Babs before David’s time runs out.
Even in this sad situation, it’s touching to see David’s deep care for his dog during his final days. Let’s share this story widely to help Babs find the loving home she deserves.
Watch the video below to see more about David and Babs’ bond: