
A family’s two basset hounds refused to leave a dying child’s side after doctor’s informed her parents the devastating news that she wouldn’t survive.
“It was really nice,” mom Mary Hall of Deluth, Minnesota, told ABC News. “It brought us a lot of comfort to have them [there]. But by the end of the first day, you could see they were stressed out and depressed. Normally, they’re very happy-go-lucky. We knew they could sense there was something wrong.”
Nora Hall, 5 months old, died May 2 after suffering a stroke April 6 and spending three weeks in the hospital.
The stroke had affected both sides of her brain, causing severe damage, her mother said.
Courtesy Mary Hall
The family dogs, 8-year-old Grumpy and Gracie, fell in love with Nora as soon as she arrived from the hospital, Hall said.
“Gracie, especially, took on the role as second mother,” she said. “Whenever Nora would cry, Gracie would run to see what was wrong. She was always, always by Nora and kissing her and making sure she was OK.”
Courtesy Mary Hall
As Nora’s days were sadly numbered, Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis asked Mary and John Hall whether they had any final wishes for their daughter.
“I asked, ‘If you could let us have our dogs [at the hospital], we’d really appreciate that,'” Hall recalled. “I didn’t want to go home and have them sniffing around for her and not knowing where she went. They lowered the bed so the dogs could lay with her and Gracie ran up and licked her [Nora].”
Courtesy Mary Hall
Hall said she is grateful for the hospital honoring the special exception of having Nora, Gracie and Grumpy together one last time.
The family snapped photos of the touching goodbyes and posted them on Facebook.
“She was just a really happy baby,” Hall said. “Before we went into the hospital, she’d just start laughing. She was happy all the time.”
Cynthia Butler
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So sweet to see these precious Beagles love this precious Angel.
Maria Gamez
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R.I.P.Baby.
Barbie Howes
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So very sorry for the loss of your beautiful little baby. I can tell you from experience that your little dogs will give you comfort no human can. X
Colleen Jellicoe
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Can’t imagine
Brigitte Hoinville
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Carolynn Armbrust
Brenda Wainman-Crozier
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Heartbreaking
Linds Wilmshurst-Smith
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So sad yet uplifting – those beautiful hounds & well done to the hospital for their understanding. RIP lovely little lady and my very heartfelt condolences to your parents ❤️
Carolyn Russo
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That was so sad
Russ Dardeno
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So very sad.
Jan Moman
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I know just how concerned they are for you. I was suf
Angela Minter
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God bless little one sleep tight xx
Deanna Powell
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That is so sweet
Jaedyn Harris
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What a beautiful cover pic. I’m so sorry for your entire Family’s Loss .
Jeanette Woodrow
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so so sad, yet so so beautiful, rip little one your family miss you so
Donnie King
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one awesomen k9s god bless youamen
Donnie King
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god bless all k9s amen
Tricia Ahrens
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So much Love!
Ronald Gamella
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SUCH A SAD STORY R.I.P. LITTLE ONE YOUR PUPPY LOVED YOU SO MUCH….
Nonietta Nonietta
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Nikita Saha
Shirley Jones
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So sad.
A Garcia Garcia
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Oh My Goodness this story broke my heart…..
Donnie King
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i love it awesomenm k9 Amen
Lois Ross
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so beautiful
Carol Mulgrew
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So good of the hospital to let the dogs share her last hours
Iris Balcombe
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Dogs are family and this just proves it!
Bev Mershon
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Beautiful story.
Heather MorSe Nadeau
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Cheryl Shibles looks like sweetie
Geri Ravlich
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Precious
Denice Jamerson
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Sorry for your loss Hall Family an Grumpy an Gracie RIP Lil Nora
Rebecca Rabalais
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So very sorry for your loss of your precious baby. Makes me happy that the hospital honored your request of allowing the dogs to see her and be with her.
Tom Hammer
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Just imagining what this story is about could bring me to tears.
Beth Synowiec
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so sorry, r.i.p. little one
Richard Littrell
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I. Like. Jackie
Margaret Hanlon
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So sad
Linda Mendoza Bosch
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The love that our pet have for their owner is unconditional❣️
Mary Rose Terszak
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I can’t read it because it is far too sad. The details say it all . Sorry
Daphine Thais
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Such a very sad and touching story. God bless each of them
Terry Moran
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Amazing how they can sense when their love is needed.
Maggie Roche
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So sad and lovely at the same time God bless her so sorry for both of you an other little angle by your side all the time rip
Kevin Courtney
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Very sad and also very sweet.
Chi Wai Erh
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Humanized hospital allow not a human form family members to stay aside. Being together sure ease the pain a bit!
Nur Kahnert
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So sad story
Maria Carmody Slater
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Awesome dogs
Graham John
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So sorry for your loss , R I P Nora . Amazing dogs x
Warren Sheehan
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Why does this site continuously post so many sad story’s. Why can’t we belong to a basset hound group because it brings smiles and joy to someone.