While home visiting family, my old boy, Niles, a...

While home visiting family, my old boy, Niles, a Treeing Walker Coonhound, passed away in my arms laying with him in the back of my Jeep in the parking lot just moments after I pulled in. I know that there was nothing we could have done to save him - he was an old boy who had a very full and happy life. The staff (four young ladies) and their tenderness that I encountered in the moments afterward will stay with me for a long time. With all kindness, they delicately moved him onto the gurney and took him inside. I was allowed to sit with him in a private room to have a few moments with my boy to say goodbye. They covered him in a blanket and placed one under his head and left me to my privacy with him. While interacting with them making arrangements they were so kind. I keep using that adjective but I mean it. I was alone and away from home and my dog had just gone to peace and I was in pieces. I could not possibly ask for a better group of people to be socially distanced from in that moment. I was a mess and beside myself but they treated Niles and I with such respect and kindness in every regard and for that I will be forever grateful. They arranged the cremation and had him sent back to me in Virginia in the most beautiful carved wooden box and a plaster paw print. I wouldn t wish what happened on anyone but it did and I m glad it was there and with them. I know had he been in better shape upon arrival they d have done all that they could have. Thank you all. I can tell that you love what you do because I can see that you do it with your heart. Yeah, super corny, but I said what I said.