She lost her husband in January, and her dog shortly after that.
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Those recent losses probably helped shape a recent decision Melani Andrews made at her local animal shelter.
When she visited the Front Street Animal Shelter in Sacramento, Calif., she asked to see the most mature dog they had.
Out strutted 12-year-old Jake, a passed-over canine if there ever was one. Jake has bad skin, bad teeth and untreatable, terminal cancer.
He’s a “great dog,” according to staff at the shelter, but one who was virtually ignored when people stopped in to adopt.
Andrews brought the dog home, and has spoiled him rotten ever since. She treats his raw skin by giving him coconut-infused baths, mixes chicken broth into his food and loves on him unconditionally.