Icon Icon
Pilots N Paws

Dying Man Wishes To Be With Pet During Last Days/WTAE News4 Pittsburgh

All of you have been extremely supportive of this family and our transport of “Bailey” cflying home to be by Rod’s side.  This report was aired late yesterday on WTAE NEWS 4, ABC in Pittsburgh.  Please take a minute to post a reply. Bless the Calvert family, we know Bailey will bring them comfort.

Dog Travels From Florida To Pittsburgh To Be With Owner

Read more: https://www.wtae.com/news/30673218/detail.html#ixzz1p66WUF6T

PITTSBURGH — It was Rob Calvert’s dying wish was to see his dog one last time, and people from Pittsburgh and Florida worked Tuesday to fulfill the cancer patient’s wish.

Calvert said he just wants his best friend to be with him through his final journey. Bailey is Roger’s beautiful 7-year-old yellow Labrador.

The Pittsburgher-turned-Floridian returned to Pittsburgh for a checkup, and it revealed that his cancer is back, and he has but days to live.

With Bailey in Florida and Roger in Pittsburgh, getting the two together fast became a labor of love.

Nick Petti, of Family Hospice and Palliative Care, said he hit the phones and found a group called ‘Pilots N Paws.’ In no time, Bailey was Pittsburgh-bound.

“The project coordinator had emailed me saying things just lined up — that she had a pilot in Florida, and he saw the email and immediately responded to it,” Petti said.

Within hours, Bailey was once again at Calvert’s feet, granting a dying man’s final wish before it was too late.

“(Calvert) was visibly relieved when Bailey was there with him. This huge burden seemed to be off his shoulders, and he was more calm and comfortable that she had arrived and was there with him,” Petti said.

Copyright 2012 by WTAE. All rights reserved.
Photos provided by Pilots N Paws

Bailey stays by Rod's side.........

11 thoughts on “Dying Man Wishes To Be With Pet During Last Days/WTAE News4 Pittsburgh”

  1. Diane Yoha says:

    People who don’t know are always amazed at how much comfort a dog/pet can bring to the sick and dying. Its a good thing there is an organization like Pilots n Paws there to help. Makes me wish I was a pilot too.

  2. PattiG says:

    You folks are awesome. Rob & Bailey really need each other more than ever now. Fly safe & GOD Bless all of you.

  3. Sam Taylor says:

    This is a great story. You can see the complete story of the transport and the folks involved at the article, “A Final Wish.” Good job, Liz. Prayers to Rod and Debbie.

  4. Jim Carney says:

    Another GREAT example why I and all the other Pilots for Pilots N Paws do what we do. God Bless the Calvert Family and Bailey for bringing them happiness in this dark and difficult time.
    Jim Carney
    Pilot – Pilots N Paws – TN

  5. Patti E S says:

    Altruism is a very difficult thing to explain scientifically, but we see and read articles about people who carry out the most selfless, compassionate acts for complete strangers. It’s great to read articles like this because it reminds us that we should treat everyone how we would like to be treated. Almost everyone agrees that we should live by “the golden rule,” but we all need to be reminded about it from time to time…

    This amazing story of Rods last wish is a tribute to both he and his wife Deb. They truly have some amazing organizations helping them as well as people in this world. Thank you Hospice, Pilots N Paws and everyone else who helped make this happen for Deb, Rod and Bailey as they too are truly AMAZING people and ALWAYS give to others so unselfishly. I thank these new friends so much for giving Rod his final wish.

  6. Judy Russell says:

    What a blessing these pilots are in uniting their four legged best buddies with their owners. I know one of these pilots, Jim carney, a sweet and compassionate man with a great love for all animals. Pilots N Paws is a wonderful organization enabling them to give of themselves to make others happy. Bailey will certainly fill a spot in Rod’s heart and help him through this difficult time. God bless.

  7. Tara Heise says:

    Thank you pilots and paws. What a great organization. I have tears at this story. God bless you all and my thoughts and prayers are with you. Bailey is a wonderful dog and will be with you Rob forever.

  8. Viv says:

    As I type on a now wet keyboard, I can’t find adequate words to express my feelings. Thank you to everyone who made it possible for Rod’s last wish to come true- I know having Baily with him will help him in so many ways. So much love between them I can feel it.

  9. Darcy E says:

    Tears… I’m so glad Baily was able to get there to his human in time. God bless this wonderful organization!

  10. Dianne Jenkins says:

    Thank you for what you do! What you did for this man and his dog is just amazing. What a wonderful gift you gave to a man who served our Nation.

  11. Jim Tuttle says:

    This story is but one more example of proving there are Guardian Angels watching over us to help us out when we are most in need of them. In this case it was the pilots and volunteers of Pilots N Paws who made it possible for Bailey to be with Rod during his final days. My sincere thank you to all who assisted in this mission as well as for those I will never hear about. Wishing all involved with Pilots N Paws sunny days and clear skies.

Comments are closed.