Homeless Man's Dying Wish To See His Dog One Last Time Granted By Community

Dying Man's Final Wish to be Reunited With Dog






Kevin McClain holds his dog Yurt during their final reunion on May 11 at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. McCain, who was battling lung caner, was homeless when paramedics took him to the hospital and he was separated from Yurt. Volunteers and Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control described Yurt as inconsolable when he was brought to the shelter. (Diana Gilchrist/Area Ambulance Service)

When Kevin was being moved from the ambulance, he told the paramedic that he had a dog. He said his dog's name was Yurt. The paramedic, Jan Erceg, as it turned out, also worked at the shelter. "That was my Aha! moment" said Jan realizing that the dog was at the shelter she volunteered at.

Kevin had been asking for his dog from the moment they were separated. He wanted to see her again. So, the Ambulance Service, the Hospice Home and the Shelter cooperated to help Kevin realize his dying wish to be with his dog one more time.

When they brought Yurt to his bed, there was instant joy for both Kevin and his dog.

Kevin died a few days later.

Yurt has new owners now. They had seen her bio online which said that she 'has a very compelling story'. And now they know that story.

RIP Kevin! At least he knew that his beloved dog would be taken care of before he died! :cry:

:cry:

I had to hold back tears of joy for this man and his beloved pet.

:grouphug:


:cry:

I'll bet Kevin would be really happy to know that Yurt has a permanent home.

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Thank you for telling us about it. I looked it up and see that it got excellent reviews. Animal stories, like this one, make me cry also. They are such loyal friends and give such unconditional love, I think sometimes they are in many ways, superior to us.

Wendy and Lucy: Review



Review by the NYT. Welcome to DU, Aquacello and thank you again for the recommendation to the movie :-)

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who understand the incredible bond that was shared here. RIP, dear gentleman and may your pooch be at peace in the care of kindly others who now know the story.

I literally cried to read this :cry: such love is so touching. I'm so relieved the man died with his dog and so happy the dog has someone to continue loving her.

like most dogs taken to shelters when owners fall ill. So sad. So glad that the pup found a home.

she could barely speak. She apologized but I thought it was a very human moment. Wonderful story.

:cry:

I'm happy the dog has new owners and that the man got to hug his furry friend before he passed from this world.

was NOT HOMELESS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

If not the Cedar Rapids community, if not the Iowa community, then the American community.

It's hard to be sure from the story, but it sure looks like the man didn't get treatment for his lung cancer until he had to be carted off by paramedics and put into hospice.

and it is a miracle his dog wasn't gassed upon arrival at the shelter, as they are in many midwestern shelters and almost all southern shelters.

So much wrong with this country. I am just crying here.

I am so glad that this reunion was made possible by caring people and a caring community. It restores my faith in human beings.

Seeing the body language between the man and the dog, comforting one another. Can't stop the tears.

:cry: :loveya:

radiating off Yurt for his Kevin. I'm so grateful to the folks who made this happen. Now I have to go find some tissue.

You can see the love in Yurt's face. Content and happy.

So touching, but sad at the same time. It's too bad he was homeless and didn't have access to regular medical care, but the fact that the community banded together to grant him is last wish and to let him die in peach is very heartwarming indeed.

I am so glad sweet Yurt will have a home to live in.

It gives me hope in humanity.

and I JUST put mascara on!

:cry:

:cry:

And then, :cry: some more.

What a touching story. :cry:

:cry:

:cry: Photo says it all...

:cry:

I need to go find a tissue now.


K&R

The look on Yurt's face says it all. That is pure joy.
RIP Kevin.

:cry:

"Gentlemen of the jury, a man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death."

So true. That is beautiful, lumberjack_jeff! :cry:

So glad she has a new home. Rest in peace, Kevin. :cry:

:cry:


Yurt :hug:

humans by creating a huge crack in the ground.

But the dog, who loved humans too much to be separated from them, sprang across the divide with a mighty leap.

A touching story of Yurt, the loyal dog.

Did not know it was ascribed to the East Indians.

when i'm reading at work. :cry:

that picture says a thousand words. i hope Yurt will go on to lead a long and happy life with his new people.

:cry:

Sweet story. RIP Kevin and I hope Yurt has a wonderful new home now and hope she knows how much she meant to Kevin.

Would Kevin still be alive if he had received medical care much sooner?

Regardless, blessings on the good people who helped him achieve his last wish. May Yurt live a happy and long life in her new home.

:cry:

:cry:

Thanks for the thread, sabrina.

thx for the bittersweet story

:cry:

My dog has no idea he's a dog. I'm glad Yurt found a home.

A picture is worth a thousand tears.

when she dies...then they will both RIP.

I am just beside myself. I've had my dog Nikko for 14 years. I can't imagine ever being separated from him. It would kill both of us. He is such a love. I'm glad Kevin and Yurt were able to be together before Kevin passed away. Rest in peace Kevin.

by a factor of Pantera. Talk about tear-jerking. :cry:

I love dogs and cats, but don't have any right now because i don't have a suitable home for them.

But i have my fish, and i adore them. I can't even travel without feeling anxious about them. If something were to happen to me, i know my friends will find them good homes.

I've decided that before I adopt a dog(s) (unfortunately allergic to cats) in the future, i first need to find godparents, friends I trust who will care for, and love that dog(s) as much as I do. If something happens to me, at least I'll have the peace of mind knowing that my pets will be OK.

That was a lovely, but sad story. Dogs can be the most beautiful loving creatures imaginable. They are treasures. And cats too, tho' they sure have a funny way of telling us who's boss! :)

No kids, so had to make arrangements for the beloved feline members of my family.

Diane
Anishinabe in MI

My dog licked my tears from my face.

Had her for 10 years (until she was almost 19), never regretted a moment of it.

I had to hold back tears of joy for this man and his beloved pet.

the sniffles and tears!

I am really moved (to tears) by many of them. Thank you everyone for your compassion. Sometimes it seems there is so little in this world, but the comments in this thread prove otherwise. I am surprised by the response. I just thought it was a touching story of the best of human nature and it gave ME hope.

Thank you for your recs and comments :cry:

My story here .... my son lives much of the time w/ his mother .... he spends time w/ me on
weekends, holidays, and the summer .... when he came down for this summer his black lab, Fluebie,
picked up one of his socks and spent the night on the bed w/ him just waiting for the chance to
give "his boy" his sock.


Dog Love = The Best of all Love.

Yurt and Kevin

And thanks for adding that photo also. You can see the love in beautiful Yurt's eyes!

he got his wish, to see the love of his life before passing on. Thank goodness for all the people involved who made this happen.
RIP Kevin, a beautiful soul.

in a great story of companionship, this must not be overlooked.

Sorry folks, war is more important.

:cry:

love for his companion and that his companion is in a home not the shelter. May he RIP.

says he's too old for a dog. thinks no one will care for her when he's gone (I disagree)

to buy one but you and him could go to an animal shelter and there are old dogs who have got left because of their owners passing on or for some other reason and need a good loving home. Your father could give these animals a new lease on life but taking one in and they could have time together and be good companions to each other. You could reassure him, you would see that the dog was cared for if necessary.

RIP dear sir, and thank goodness for our animal friends.

I think there's something in my eye.



Godspeed, Kevin.

But the heartwarming part we can take from this is: Even when a man has nothing left in this world, when all the other humans have abandoned him, he can still count on a dog as a friend. Dogs are such loyal companions.

Start of the week!:bounce:

Drinking my coffee.:)

Wait...what? :wtf:

:cry:


At least my desk faces a window...:-(

:cry:

But maybe the fellow went unconscious as he held his beloved friend.

as the article doesn't make it clear. I hope they did, I can't imagine separating again since they probably knew Kevin did not have much time left.

So peaceful. :cry:

i can't help but see this as yet another fucking tragic story from our awesome health care system. rah, rah, usa, fuck.

I am sure that is in the minds of everyone who has read this story. I would like to send it to every member of Congress and ask them how this could happen in America.

I wish we could have done something for him. But I think the small gift those who could, gave to him, also shows that it is not the American who lack compassion. If it were up to them, this story would have been different, as most polls show.

I am glad he got his wish and that kind people made it happen for him. I know it is even more sad to think we have to be so grateful for such 'small mercies' in the 'greatest country in the world'.

Seriously, this is such a beautifully sad story...

I have to believe that Yurt is now going to go on to live a lovely new life in a forever home. What a story.

A picture is indeed worth a thousand words. If anyone doubts that dogs and humans do not share a special bond, they only have to see the picture you posted.

There is a connection between all living things that go beyond species and appearance...and this picture is proof. It's patently obvious that Yurt and Kevin knew each other on a much deeper level.

Thank you for posting this thread Sabrina.

:cry: :cry:

Like others have said, I'm so so glad Yurt wasn't put to sleep immediately at the shelter, as so many animals are. Goddess bless everyone in the community who made the connection and brought them together again.


but on the other hand, how horrible that this man and his dog were homeless in the first place, and that he didn't get medical care until it was far far too late.

on both sides.

:cry: :cry: :cry:

K&R