Many of the dogs that come to the Grey Muzzle Hospice in Mansfield, England, have led a rough life.
Most have been abused or overworked and then abandoned and left to die all on their own.
Now, Nicola Coyle is working hard to give them the love and affection they deserved all along as these neglected pups live out their final days.
Coyle has been taking care of dogs in need for many years, she used to be a nurse and also worked in dog rescue.
When she retired, she channelled all her energy into dog rescue, and last year she officially started the Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice.
Nicola Coyle has worked in a dog rescue before and makes sure each dog that comes to the hospice gets a steak dinner, a trip to the seaside, and a birthday party
Hospice care for humans is very helpful in ensuring that their quality of life is improved for at least the last months of their life.
This shouldn’t be limited to just humans, especially since some of us consider dogs as family, there are other dogs who would have never felt this type of love at all.
Dogs deserve the world and one woman is on a mission to ensure as many as dogs possible pass as happily and as peacefully as they can.
“They just want to feel loved and safe.”
Coyle takes in rescue dogs that are expected to only live another six months or less and makes sure that their lasts days on earth are as comfortable and filled with love as possible.
The dogs come from kennels, vet surgeries or charities, and without Coyle, they would need to be put down. Instead, they get to live out their last days in comfort.
Once the dogs enter the hospice, they are treated like nothing less than royalty.
If they are well enough, Coyle will take them out on adventures, such as bringing them down to the beach for some fish and chips or to the pub for a nice steak dinner.
Some even get to ride in a police car!
Coyle throws every dog a birthday party, complete with a birthday cake!
“I don’t know when their birthdays are so we throw all of them a birthday party,” she said.
“They just want to feel loved and safe. I really believe they should get a nice ending.”
She spends approximately £500 ($680) per dog, and while she has provided all the funds herself for a long time, she has recently started accepting donations to be able to continue her important effort.
For many of the dogs that come to the Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice, it’s the first time in their lives that they experience true comfort and affection.
I really believe they should get a nice ending.”
It is heartfelt work, and Coyle grieves every dog that passes through her home.
Because of this, she needs to have breaks between the dogs to be able to work through her emotions.
However, the pain of saying goodbye is worth it, because Coyle knows that without her, these dogs would not have received the love and comfort that they deserved.
Instead of spending their last days abandoned and heartbroken, the dogs are showered with love, affection, and yummy food.
Coyle makes their last days warm and bright, and that knowledge makes it all worth it. You can learn more about the Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice and Coyle’s important work here.
