Mr. Spencer could no longer care for his dogs.
He was hospitalized at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, facing a terminal illness the hospital never disclosed, and he had no family members to take care of Bowie and Nikki, his two German shepherds. That is why they ended up in the care of NYC Second Chance Rescue, a rescue organization led by Jennifer Brooks.
When the medical team learned about the situation, they did not stand idly by. They coordinated with Brooks to bring the dogs to the hospital room, and what happened inside moved everyone present to tears: Bowie and Nikki lay down next to the bed, as if they knew exactly what was happening. There were about 10 doctors in the room, and according to Brooks, none of them could hold back their tears.
Hours after that final meeting, Mr. Spencer passed away. We will never know what illness was consuming him, but we do know that his farewell was exactly as he needed it to be: with his two dogs by his side.