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Woman Opens Dog Hospice Where She Spends The Last Days With Abandoned Dogs

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As sad as it may sound, our canine friends are just temporary visitors in our lives – however, we are usually their whole life. And the least we can do during our pets’ last moments is stay with them, making sure that when their time comes, they know they were not just pets to us – they were part of the family.

Sadly, saying goodbye to your senior dog can be a heartbreaking experience not everyone can handle. That’s just one of the reasons why some old or terminally ill pets get abandoned. However, like a ray of hope, one woman is making sure all abandoned animals spend their final days living life to the fullest.

More info: Facebook

One woman is making sure abandoned dogs spend their final days living life to the fullest

Woman Opens Dog Hospice Where She Spends The Last Days With Abandoned Dogs

Image credits: The Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project

Nicola Coyle (not pictured) is a retired nurse who established The Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice to take care of abandoned old, terminally ill or stray dogs. She runs the animal shelter from her own home in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

That includes ice cream and steak dinners

Woman Opens Dog Hospice Where She Spends The Last Days With Abandoned Dogs

Image credits: The Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project

Nicola takes the adorable dogs through McDonald’s drive-thru and even takes them to the local pub for a nice steak dinner.

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Nicola normally has a maximum of two dogs at a time

Woman Opens Dog Hospice Where She Spends The Last Days With Abandoned Dogs

Image credits: The Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project

“We’ll only take them in if the vet says they’ve got less than six months to live, so we’re focusing on end of life care,” said the former nurse in an interview with Metro. “I think the longest I’ve had one is around one year in my dog hotel and the shortest was about two weeks.”

Even though she doesn’t know when the dogs’ birthdays are, she still throws one for every dog

Woman Opens Dog Hospice Where She Spends The Last Days With Abandoned Dogs

Image credits: The Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project

“I don’t know when their birthdays are so we make sure we throw all of them a birthday party,” says Nicola. “If they’re well enough, we take them for a day at the seaside, they get fish and chips on the beach and ice cream.”

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Woman Opens Dog Hospice Where She Spends The Last Days With Abandoned Dogs

Image credits: The Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project

Nicola spends around £500 on each of the dogs she takes care of

Woman Opens Dog Hospice Where She Spends The Last Days With Abandoned Dogs

Image credits: The Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project

She uses her own money and everything people donate to her dog shelter. You can help by donating to The Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project’s PayPal here.

Sadly, there comes a time to say goodbye – and it’s never easy

Woman Opens Dog Hospice Where She Spends The Last Days With Abandoned Dogs

Image credits: The Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project

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“We all get very attached to these cute dogs, it’s very emotionally intense and we do mourn and grieve for them,” says Nicola. “We do need to have breaks between them.”

“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole” – Roger A. Caras

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Woman Opens Dog Hospice Where She Spends The Last Days With Abandoned Dogs

Image credits: The Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project

Just because a dog’s fate is decided, doesn’t mean it should be abandoned. Quite the contrary – the final days of their lives should be made as special as possible. And thanks to people like Nicola, these dogs get to spend their final days feeling important and loved before departing to Doggy Heaven.

Woman Opens Dog Hospice Where She Spends The Last Days With Abandoned Dogs

Image credits: The Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project

Woman Opens Dog Hospice Where She Spends The Last Days With Abandoned Dogs

Image credits: The Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project

Woman Opens Dog Hospice Where She Spends The Last Days With Abandoned Dogs

Image credits: The Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project

Woman Opens Dog Hospice Where She Spends The Last Days With Abandoned Dogs

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: The Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project

Woman Opens Dog Hospice Where She Spends The Last Days With Abandoned Dogs

Image credits: The Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project

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Aušrys Uptas

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One day, this guy just kind of figured - "I spend most of my time on the internet anyway, why not turn it into a profession?" - and he did! Now he not only gets to browse the latest cat videos and fresh memes every day but also shares them with people all over the world, making sure they stay up to date with everything that's trending on the web. Some things that always pique his interest are old technologies, literature and all sorts of odd vintage goodness. So if you find something that's too bizarre not to share, make sure to hit him up!

What do you think ?

Nikki D 5 years ago

You are an amazing, resilient woman. Thank you so much for your service.

23points

Shanna Brown 5 years ago

Thank you for your love and kindness to these precious babies.

11points

Susan G 5 years ago

Heartbreaking. This woman is a saint.

9points

Mae 5 years ago

I'm not crying, you're crying!!

9points

wusah 5 years ago

That is the sweetest thing ever. I would totally do that. I just adopted a 12 year old senior Boston Terrier. It's the best thing I ever did and I will always adopt a senior and I'm think I'm going to start looking to do it this also! Now I must go SOB

9points

Joan Zatorski 5 years ago

I'd like to know more about the criteria used regarding use of pain medication & euthanasia options. This sounds like a beautiful gift for our canines in need.

3points

Load More Replies...

Ashley Say Whaat?!? 5 years ago

This is soooo sweet! I love this idea!

9points

SBW71 5 years ago

I think I have something in my eye "sniff" "sniff". What a great woman to do that!

8points

Oli Fong 5 years ago

Dogs might be in just a small part of our lives, but to them, we are their whole life .😢😢😢

8points

Hallie 5 years ago

I wish my heart was big enough to do this. What a wonderful lady.

8points

Kurtz Frausun 5 years ago

She's a blessing for these wonderful animals. I wouldn't have the emotional strength to handle this.

6points

Rose 5 years ago

This is so cute! You are amazing

5points

IAmWhoIAm 5 years ago

She is an amazing woman and one we should all strive to be like.

4points

K. LNU 5 years ago

These kinds of posts need a warning sign... Onion Cutting Ninjas in the area!

4points

Kevin Camp 5 years ago

My nomination for Sainthood.

4points

Natalie N 5 years ago

This is incredibly precious! I adopt pups that are terminally ill or very senior for this very reason as well. When it's time to say goodbye, it's never easy.

4points

Rachel Austin 5 years ago

What an angel. This made me cry xx

4points

Maria Rohlen 5 years ago

It's heartbreaking but what a wonderful gift to the dogs. To bad their s****y owners don't take their responsibility so they could end their lives with the one's they would have given their lives for.

4points

K.SETANI 5 years ago

Just needed to say thank you. Thank you for that amazing idea, thank you for your kindness, thank you for sharing.

4points

Kujo1d 5 years ago

If you really loved your dog, why would you abandon them when they're old? I'd want to be there until the end.

4points

Glowdaddy 5 years ago

She is stronger than I could ever be. Hopefully some day my heart will be as big as hers.

4points

Foxxy 5 years ago

Such a beautiful thing to do. Good on her.

4points

Devon Barnes-Balmer 5 years ago

What an amazing person. To give these poor dogs such an amazing send off is such a kindness. Truly amazing

4points

Nele Buysmans 5 years ago

Why does she give them that much chocolate?

4points

Foxxy 5 years ago

I would guess some of it is carob but the flakes in the ice creams would be real chocolate. I initially though that at first when I saw the flakes but these dogs don’t have long to live so I presume it doesn’t matter so much. She is just focusing on making the last days, happy days.

9points

Load More Replies...

Gregory Hewitt 5 years ago

my thought exactly. maybe at that stage of life it doesn't matter.

6points

ImGayForGreenDay 5 years ago

it's carob, not chocolate.

6points

imontape 5 years ago

Im glad to see such love exist in a World with so much cruelty. Im in tears, what a beautiful woman!

3points

Estee Wright 5 years ago

Ugly crying at work right now. What am amazing person with a heart of gold. MY HERO!!!

3points

Cheryl Durst 5 years ago

OMG. Beautiful soul, thank you for doing what you do.

2points

Natasha Forchione 5 years ago

You are an amazing soul. God bless you!!!

2points

Efia 5 years ago

I love people like her so much. They deserve the biggest respect.

2points

Biljana Malesevic 5 years ago

She is amazing! I couldn't do it, I want to cry just looking at this photos, if I saw them in person, I couldn't stop. I love those little faces, and I love that someone wants to make them happy.

2points

Alusair Alustriel 5 years ago

I really admire her strength, my heart would break into million pieces each time one of them passed away. I'm too weak for such help and I'm really glad there are people out there who are capable of doing that!

2points

Vivian “Jinxed It” R. 5 years ago

This person deserves all the respect in the world. To hell with all the humans abandoning their family members in the greatest time of needs just because it is hard. And I am sorry for the dogs who might have never had the chance to enjoy their whole lives. :(

2points

sharron lynn parsons 5 years ago

Thanks to B.P. for giving us these heartwarming stories, we need more people like Nicola, it is painful for me to think some dogs, or cats spend their last days alone, when my dogs had to go to heaven, it broke my heart and I cried for days, I did say goodbye !!!

2points

Emily Keryk 5 years ago

Bless your kind soul, wish I had the money to do the same. Ok, stop crying.

1point

Katy Keyes 5 years ago

I want to be you when I grow up

1point

sharron lynn parsons 5 years ago

If I had the resources, I would adopt this idea, however what I have done is to adopt all my dogs and cats, at least I did what I was able to, each pet was incredible , so loving , as I believe they understand they have a new loving home, and they gave me so much love, they changed my life forever, I miss each one that I sent to heaven with love , please ADOPT !!!

1point

Kathy Baylis 5 years ago

My wish is that all pets can stay with their families their whole lives. No abandonment if they’re a bit difficult, or when they get old or sick. I have three cats and a dog, all rescues and all right off the street or dumped near our house. Our oldest cat just turned 17, and we’ve had him since he was 9 weeks old. Just like the pets I had when I was single, and those my husband and I have had since we got married, our present fearsome foursome (and any future fur babies) will be with us to the day they die.

1point

NQ L 5 years ago

She's awesome. Love her

1point

Sue Prewitt 5 years ago

We go through "Old Dog Haven" here in Washington state. Our last dog, Jack, was with us for 4 years. We will be getting another sweetie once we come back from vacation.

1point

Jelena Obradović 5 years ago

I'm crying...I hope I can do similar thing some day when I have enough money...

1point

Patricia Rogato 5 years ago

God bless you and all that help! My son has adopted 2 dogs one is deaf and has a very expensive skin problem, Leo, he is 13 and guess just too much for the owner, and Louie who was rescued in n Carolina from a major highway! He’s 10 and the joy of my sons life! This is important work !! Oh and Jenny his rescue cat! So sweet! Love you all! Keep up the blessed work!👍

0points

Kris Enzweiler 5 years ago

Thank you Nicola for being there for them and seeing them off to doggy heaven. We need more people like you!

0points

HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 5 years ago

I have just one word, AMAZING. I will ask to volunteer here, i will drive up in a heartbeat, amazing woman.

0points

Lee Maidana Kuhl 5 years ago

I have such admiration for her and what she is doing. I hope that this catches on as there are so many animals who need end of care life. We always adopt older animals from our local shelter. And the 2 latest additions, one came from the pouring rain in a local park, full grown male dog, plus a less than 6 week old rat terrier dumped into my backyard on a cold January night at 10:30.

0points

Michele Clarke 5 years ago

LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!!

0points

Jovy Jergens 5 years ago

I hope others take inspiration from you. Thank you for your great kindness to these loving, needful beings. It brings tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat.

0points

Linda Matheny 5 years ago

There is no way I could do this. It's so sad I am crying. You are a true hero!!!

0points

Lilli 5 years ago

I'm crying, and I very rarely cry. you are a sweet, beautiful woman and those dogs were extremely blessed to have you with them. :)

0points

ERIN W. 5 years ago

What an AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME thing you are doing! Made me tear up!

0points

Danielle Renee 5 years ago

she is an absolutely beautiful person.

0points

Allen Snell 5 years ago

There are not enough antidepressants in the world for me to be able to do that.

0points

Jesper Rasmussen 5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

yerawitchSam13 5 years ago

F**k you, Jesper.

1point

Load More Replies...

Nikki D 5 years ago

You are an amazing, resilient woman. Thank you so much for your service.

23points

Shanna Brown 5 years ago

Thank you for your love and kindness to these precious babies.

11points

Susan G 5 years ago

Heartbreaking. This woman is a saint.

9points

Mae 5 years ago

I'm not crying, you're crying!!

9points

wusah 5 years ago

That is the sweetest thing ever. I would totally do that. I just adopted a 12 year old senior Boston Terrier. It's the best thing I ever did and I will always adopt a senior and I'm think I'm going to start looking to do it this also! Now I must go SOB

9points

Joan Zatorski 5 years ago

I'd like to know more about the criteria used regarding use of pain medication & euthanasia options. This sounds like a beautiful gift for our canines in need.

3points

Load More Replies...

Ashley Say Whaat?!? 5 years ago

This is soooo sweet! I love this idea!

9points

SBW71 5 years ago

I think I have something in my eye "sniff" "sniff". What a great woman to do that!

8points

Oli Fong 5 years ago

Dogs might be in just a small part of our lives, but to them, we are their whole life .😢😢😢

8points

Hallie 5 years ago

I wish my heart was big enough to do this. What a wonderful lady.

8points

Kurtz Frausun 5 years ago

She's a blessing for these wonderful animals. I wouldn't have the emotional strength to handle this.

6points

Rose 5 years ago

This is so cute! You are amazing

5points

IAmWhoIAm 5 years ago

She is an amazing woman and one we should all strive to be like.

4points

K. LNU 5 years ago

These kinds of posts need a warning sign... Onion Cutting Ninjas in the area!

4points

Kevin Camp 5 years ago

My nomination for Sainthood.

4points

Natalie N 5 years ago

This is incredibly precious! I adopt pups that are terminally ill or very senior for this very reason as well. When it's time to say goodbye, it's never easy.

4points

Rachel Austin 5 years ago

What an angel. This made me cry xx

4points

Maria Rohlen 5 years ago

It's heartbreaking but what a wonderful gift to the dogs. To bad their s****y owners don't take their responsibility so they could end their lives with the one's they would have given their lives for.

4points

K.SETANI 5 years ago

Just needed to say thank you. Thank you for that amazing idea, thank you for your kindness, thank you for sharing.

4points

Kujo1d 5 years ago

If you really loved your dog, why would you abandon them when they're old? I'd want to be there until the end.

4points

Glowdaddy 5 years ago

She is stronger than I could ever be. Hopefully some day my heart will be as big as hers.

4points

Foxxy 5 years ago

Such a beautiful thing to do. Good on her.

4points

Devon Barnes-Balmer 5 years ago

What an amazing person. To give these poor dogs such an amazing send off is such a kindness. Truly amazing

4points

Nele Buysmans 5 years ago

Why does she give them that much chocolate?

4points

Foxxy 5 years ago

I would guess some of it is carob but the flakes in the ice creams would be real chocolate. I initially though that at first when I saw the flakes but these dogs don’t have long to live so I presume it doesn’t matter so much. She is just focusing on making the last days, happy days.

9points

Load More Replies...

Gregory Hewitt 5 years ago

my thought exactly. maybe at that stage of life it doesn't matter.

6points

ImGayForGreenDay 5 years ago

it's carob, not chocolate.

6points

imontape 5 years ago

Im glad to see such love exist in a World with so much cruelty. Im in tears, what a beautiful woman!

3points

Estee Wright 5 years ago

Ugly crying at work right now. What am amazing person with a heart of gold. MY HERO!!!

3points

Cheryl Durst 5 years ago

OMG. Beautiful soul, thank you for doing what you do.

2points

Natasha Forchione 5 years ago

You are an amazing soul. God bless you!!!

2points

Efia 5 years ago

I love people like her so much. They deserve the biggest respect.

2points

Biljana Malesevic 5 years ago

She is amazing! I couldn't do it, I want to cry just looking at this photos, if I saw them in person, I couldn't stop. I love those little faces, and I love that someone wants to make them happy.

2points

Alusair Alustriel 5 years ago

I really admire her strength, my heart would break into million pieces each time one of them passed away. I'm too weak for such help and I'm really glad there are people out there who are capable of doing that!

2points

Vivian “Jinxed It” R. 5 years ago

This person deserves all the respect in the world. To hell with all the humans abandoning their family members in the greatest time of needs just because it is hard. And I am sorry for the dogs who might have never had the chance to enjoy their whole lives. :(

2points

sharron lynn parsons 5 years ago

Thanks to B.P. for giving us these heartwarming stories, we need more people like Nicola, it is painful for me to think some dogs, or cats spend their last days alone, when my dogs had to go to heaven, it broke my heart and I cried for days, I did say goodbye !!!

2points

Emily Keryk 5 years ago

Bless your kind soul, wish I had the money to do the same. Ok, stop crying.

1point

Katy Keyes 5 years ago

I want to be you when I grow up

1point

sharron lynn parsons 5 years ago

If I had the resources, I would adopt this idea, however what I have done is to adopt all my dogs and cats, at least I did what I was able to, each pet was incredible , so loving , as I believe they understand they have a new loving home, and they gave me so much love, they changed my life forever, I miss each one that I sent to heaven with love , please ADOPT !!!

1point

Kathy Baylis 5 years ago

My wish is that all pets can stay with their families their whole lives. No abandonment if they’re a bit difficult, or when they get old or sick. I have three cats and a dog, all rescues and all right off the street or dumped near our house. Our oldest cat just turned 17, and we’ve had him since he was 9 weeks old. Just like the pets I had when I was single, and those my husband and I have had since we got married, our present fearsome foursome (and any future fur babies) will be with us to the day they die.

1point

NQ L 5 years ago

She's awesome. Love her

1point

Sue Prewitt 5 years ago

We go through "Old Dog Haven" here in Washington state. Our last dog, Jack, was with us for 4 years. We will be getting another sweetie once we come back from vacation.

1point

Jelena Obradović 5 years ago

I'm crying...I hope I can do similar thing some day when I have enough money...

1point

Patricia Rogato 5 years ago

God bless you and all that help! My son has adopted 2 dogs one is deaf and has a very expensive skin problem, Leo, he is 13 and guess just too much for the owner, and Louie who was rescued in n Carolina from a major highway! He’s 10 and the joy of my sons life! This is important work !! Oh and Jenny his rescue cat! So sweet! Love you all! Keep up the blessed work!👍

0points

Kris Enzweiler 5 years ago

Thank you Nicola for being there for them and seeing them off to doggy heaven. We need more people like you!

0points

HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 5 years ago

I have just one word, AMAZING. I will ask to volunteer here, i will drive up in a heartbeat, amazing woman.

0points

Lee Maidana Kuhl 5 years ago

I have such admiration for her and what she is doing. I hope that this catches on as there are so many animals who need end of care life. We always adopt older animals from our local shelter. And the 2 latest additions, one came from the pouring rain in a local park, full grown male dog, plus a less than 6 week old rat terrier dumped into my backyard on a cold January night at 10:30.

0points

Michele Clarke 5 years ago

LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!!

0points

Jovy Jergens 5 years ago

I hope others take inspiration from you. Thank you for your great kindness to these loving, needful beings. It brings tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat.

0points

Linda Matheny 5 years ago

There is no way I could do this. It's so sad I am crying. You are a true hero!!!

0points

Lilli 5 years ago

I'm crying, and I very rarely cry. you are a sweet, beautiful woman and those dogs were extremely blessed to have you with them. :)

0points

ERIN W. 5 years ago

What an AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME thing you are doing! Made me tear up!

0points

Danielle Renee 5 years ago

she is an absolutely beautiful person.

0points

Allen Snell 5 years ago

There are not enough antidepressants in the world for me to be able to do that.

0points

Jesper Rasmussen 5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

yerawitchSam13 5 years ago

F**k you, Jesper.

1point

Load More Replies...

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