As of: February 29, 2024, 5:45 a.m
By: Sophie Kluß
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A veterinary clinic in the US maintains a sad but loving ritual for dying dogs.
The four-legged friends receive so-called farewell kisses.
But the sweet gesture comes with a risk.
The Smiths Station Animal Hospital in Columbus, Alabama, has thought of a special farewell gift for dogs who will soon have to cross the Rainbow Bridge.
Before the old or sick four-legged friends are euthanized in the clinic, they receive loving “farewell kisses” from the veterinarians.
But they don't consist of a big smack on the fluffy dog's nose, but are made of chocolate.
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“No dog should go to heaven without tasting chocolate.”
Only when there is no longer any chance of recovery for the dog patients at the veterinary clinic are they allowed to try Hershey's Kisses.
(Symbolic image) © SuperStock/Imago
The veterinary clinic published photos of the jar in which the delicious chocolate farewell kisses are stored on
in 2021 - and the touching gesture brought tears to numerous readers.
In the two handwritten words “Goodbye Kisses”, which can be read in dark red on the glass, the double O and the i dot have been replaced by hearts.
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Is there no other way and Dr.
Nicole Namie or her colleagues have to put a dog out of its suffering by making the final journey as loving as possible.
To say goodbye, the veterinarians reach into the always-filled glass with farewell kisses and let their dying patients enjoy a delicious piece of chocolate.
“No dog should go to heaven without tasting chocolate,” writes Dr.
Namie on the emotional post.
This simple but meaningful gesture is a support to the owners of the dying dogs during this difficult time in their lives: “It seems to comfort them that their pets are going to heaven with a full belly and love in their hearts,” said Dr.
Namie told
WRBL News 3
.
Goodbye kisses as a final gift – but chocolate can be deadly for dogs
For the loyal companions, the chocolate snacks in the veterinary clinic are a last loving gesture before they go to dog heaven.
But chocolate is by no means a suitable treat for healthy dogs.
Because the brown board can be poisonous for four-legged friends even in small quantities.
According to Spiegel
, this is
mainly due to one ingredient, theobromine.
Symptoms of chocolate poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhea and even seizures - one reason why farewell kisses should only be given immediately before euthanasia so as not to make the dying dogs' final hours unnecessarily worse.
However, the sweet snack is safe just before falling asleep, "especially if the chocolate hasn't been digested yet," Paula Stewart, a British animal behavior researcher, told
Newsweek.
“Your best dog deserves all the love, all the treats and all the happiness in the world.” The 16-year-old dog Josie was also finally able to enjoy chocolate on her last evening.