“Dogs have a sense, they know when people need comfort,” said Sandy Mersereau, a longtime resident of Samish Island, WA. Sandy was diagnosed with cancer in the spring of 2017 and her neighbor’s dog, Rascal, was a dedicated partner in Sandy’s journey.

 

“Rascal used to come and run around our pond, but wouldn’t come up to the house,” she said. “When I got sick, he started coming over every day. He would come on the porch and sit next to me; he put his head on my leg so I could pet him. He’d keep me company, it was really calming.” Read Sandy's story.