Our Stories - Life is Precious

Dogs Make Our Lives Whole
Sandra Olsen

Jun, 2015

Sandra Olsen, Hospice at Home patient, reluctantly had to make the decision to put her beloved dog to sleep.  Sandra was grieving over the loss and Kristen, her registered nurse, had the idea to purchase a photo blanket so Sandra could keep the memory of her dog close to her.  Sandra’s volunteer coordinator called Walmart; she presented the request and without hesitation, he responded positively that they would certainly donate the memorial blanket.  

Sandra’s Hospice at Home care team was then challenged with getting the photos to the lab technician at Walmart without tipping Sandra off to their surprise. Kristen was going out to see Sandra that day, so she asked nonchalantly if she could borrow a couple of the photos from the wall.  Sandra said yes without even asking why. While dropping the photos off at Walmart, Paul, the photo lab technician, expressed concern about getting the blanket done quickly enough since Sandra was seriously ill.  

Paul explained the situation to Fuji Labs, the company that produces the blankets.  The woman he spoke with related to the need and told Paul about her family’s wonderful experience with their local hospice when her father was ill. She added that she would do everything she could to turn the order around quickly.  
Sandra’s care team was hoping to have the blanket done and ready to give to Sandra on her birthday, February 19.  Sandra’s birthday came. A Hospice at Home volunteer baked her cake, and her nurse called to see if the blanket had arrived.  Kristen went out of her way, in a snowstorm, to go to Walmart and pick up the blanket for Sandra. 

The cake and the much-anticipated blanket were taken to Sandra’s to help celebrate her birthday and provide a memory for her to hold on to. The photos from the day speak a thousand words. Hospice at Home is continually amazed by how a community can come together to help build memories and ensure that life is precious for those with serious illness and their families.