At the end of the line, this old veteran only has one wish.

There’s a good reason why dogs are considered man’s best friend. Because of their unconditional and undying devotion, they will stick by our side until the very end.

John Vincent, a veteran who served during the Vietnam War, has just one wish before he finally calls it quits with life.

The marine veteran was admitted to hospice care last 2019.

Vincent lived alone in New Mexico, and by his side was the ever-loyal Patch. They’ve been through a lot and Patch was the only family Vincent had.

Unfortunately, as age quickly caught up with Vincent, he had to face the truth. His dwindling senses and other medical complications meant that he is no longer able to take of Patch as much as he wanted to.

He was forced to give up Patch to the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department.

“We ended up with his dog because he didn’t have any family here,” Danny Nevarez, the director of the department, said to TODAY.

But when Vincent was finally admitted to hospice care, the 69-year-old veteran knew that his time was running out. But he wouldn’t leave this earth without saying goodbye to his best friend.

When the request reached the shelter, they knew what they had to do.

“It wasn’t even a second thought,” Nevarez said TODAY. “Everyone jumped on it and was like, ‘Tell us where to go and when to be there.’”

The staff members who transported Patch even shared that the dog was quiet most of the trip but when they pulled up to the hospital, Patch put his paws on the window and started whimpering. He just knows that Vincent is in there.

Their meeting is akin to a reunion between two old friends.

Almost immediately, Patch started licking and kissing Vincent. He also snuggled close to the old man as if saying that it was the only place he wanted to be at that moment.

Patch was allowed to stay in the hospital for the whole day. The hospital staff even took turns in giving Patch his much-needed walks.

In the end, all we want is to be with our loved ones when the curtains pull close.

With the good-hearted people in the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department, Vincent had the privilege of spending his last days with Patch.

And while it was a heartwarming story, Nevarez admitted that it was heartbreaking as well. He shared that his staff cried.

This isn’t Patch’s ending, however.

When the story reached the news, one of the volunteers of the shelter, Robert Candelaria, immediately adopted Patch.

As a marine veteran as well, Vincent’s story felt close to home for him. He wanted to reassure Vincent that even if he passes away, someone would take care of Patch and will make sure he’ll live a good life.

Patch has since adjusted well in his new home and made friends with the other rescue dogs he met. Throughout Vincent’s stay in hospice care, Candelaria brings Patch along as much as he can.

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Source: Facebook – Albuquerque Animal Welfare, TODAY, PEOPLE