Funeral director says goodbye to dog that changed his life

[Are_grits_groceries]

Funeral home director Tom Dobies of New Port Richey kisses his dog Lucy in his back yard in March. Lucy was a grief therapy dog at his funeral home. Now, Dobies has planned her funeral.

NEW PORT RICHEY — Tom Dobies dreaded this day.

He had comforted thousands of grieving families in 34 years as a mortician, but nothing could ease the burning in his throat Monday as the doctor arrived at his house.

Dobies had done everything to keep Lucy alive after the brain tumor. He had spent thousands of dollars on sophisticated medical procedures. For a man so familiar with the death business, he pledged to cheat it, to keep Lucy by his side as long as possible, as long as she wasn't suffering.

Lucy, shown in March, underwent brain surgery to have a tumor removed. She died this week in the arms of her owner, funeral home director Tom Dobies.

Friends wondered why he would spend so much money trying to hold onto a 14-year-old dog, a mixed-breed Labrador. His answer: "I love her.'' But it went even deeper.
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Much more: http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/funeral-director-says-goodbye-to-dog-that-changed-his-life/1245803

Man, do I have something in my eyes!