A pet transcends mere companionship; over the course of many years by our side, they evolve into inseparable friends, essentially becoming an additional family member. Together, you walk, eat, and even exchange conversations. It’s no surprise, then, that the moment of parting is inevitably bittersweet and laden with sorrow, much like any separation.
Be it a cat or a dog, the species is secondary—what truly matters is the bond of love that binds us to them. Thus, when we sense that our beloved pets are nearing the twilight of their lives, we strive to provide them with every comfort conceivable. We yearn for their final moments not to be marked by solitude. This sentiment led Gianna Serena Manfredi, a devoted volunteer of the “Qua la zampa” rescue dog squadron, to orchestrate a heartwarming farewell for Heart—a charming German Shepherd who has been battling paralysis.
It’s a well-known fact that German Shepherds frequently grapple with spinal cord ailments, often teetering on the edge of hind leg paralysis. Degenerative myelopathy is a common affliction, capable of entirely compromising the functionality of the dog’s rear limbs. Tragically, this was the fate that gradually befell Heart—a gentle and affectionate pup—after his family abandoned him following a move to a new home. Prompt action was taken when he was discovered immobilized on the streets; the canine rescue group “Qua la zampa” swiftly came to his rescue. Although Heart’s life was spared, the disease continued its relentless progression. In no time, his front legs succumbed to complete paralysis, and the rest of his body followed suit.
The moniker “Heart” was chosen as a representation of his shattered emotions after the abandonment he endured. Fortuitously, he found solace at the shelter, where he spent a full year enveloped in the love and care of volunteers. Seeking to bestow Heart with a final moment of tranquility and serenity, Gianna Serena Manfredi arranged a visit to the seaside. Using a specially designed mobile bed, she facilitated a stroll along the waterfront. “My aim was to make him feel cherished,” expressed the compassionate woman, who dedicates herself to the welfare of her four-legged companions.
Thus, Heart, the dog with an immense heart, experienced his closing moments beside the ebb and flow of the sea. A poignant yet joyous occasion, it granted Heart one last opportunity. “It was a truly peaceful and happy moment for Heart. For a brief span, he could forget the agony caused by those who had not cared for him, or the fact that he could no longer amble like his fellow canines, entrapped within his own body. I offered him cool water, enabling him to savor the scent of liberty,” Gianna concluded, her emotions evident.
