Some years past we had a Beagle that lived in the Nursing Home of our VA Hospital. He was beloved by the patients. The nurses put a red bandana on him. He would visit the patients up and down the halls. He knew that was his job.
Even more oddly he knew when a patient was dying. He would make his normal hall duty visits but come back and stay with the dying patient.
the kiss of death...
I forgot to add this.
The dogs name at the VA was Ralph. He just showed up one day and was obviously looking for a home. He must have been someones pet in the past. Ralph made a wise choice and was loved by our patients and he gave the same back. Ralph was a good dog and special in the extreme.
I have heard of both dogs and cats that seem to know when a patient’s time in this sphere is coming to a close.
Maybe it’s a certain scent, but then, what makes that cat or dog seem so eager to offer comfort, even ‘protection’ for that person at that most critical time? Why to the animals seem to care?
That’s the part which remains unexplained and open to speculation.