Kansas Hospice Patient’s Final Wish To Snuggle Kittens Touches Hearts Everywhere
Sometimes, the most beautiful moments come wrapped in the simplest joys, like a basket overflowing with tiny kittens. And really, who could resist a surprise like that?
For Carol Heizman, a patient at Groves Community Hospice in Kansas, that simple joy became her final wish. More than anything, she longed to hold and snuggle a basket full of playful, purring kittens one last time.
It wasn’t just about their soft fur or tiny paws. It was about the comfort they bring, the happiness they spark, and the kind of pure love that only animals can offer, especially in life’s most fragile moments.
The compassionate team at Groves Community Hospice understood how much this would mean to Carol.
They wasted no time in finding a way to make it happen. Reaching out to the Great Plains SPCA in Kansas, they explained Carol’s heartfelt wish.
The SPCA was more than happy to help, arranging for five irresistibly cute kittens to visit her.
The organisation shared their enthusiasm for the plan, saying:
“We brought not just one, but a whole basket of kittens to snuggle up to.”
When the moment finally arrived, Carol was taken completely by surprise. At first, she could hardly believe what she was seeing.
But as the reality of the furry visitors sank in, her expression transformed. Her eyes brightened, and her face broke into the kind of smile that words can’t quite capture.
Before her sat a large basket filled with five tiny kittens, tumbling over each other in the way only young cats can. Watching them playfully roll around, she couldn’t help but exclaim with delight:
“Look at all those cute little guys. Oh, they’re so precious.”
The hospice staff had gone to thoughtful lengths to make the moment even more special.
Each kitten was gently wrapped in a soft baby blanket before being placed into Carol’s arms. This allowed her to savour every second, holding and cuddling each tiny bundle of fur.
As the kittens wriggled and purred, one adventurous little feline decided it wasn’t content to stay wrapped up.
With surprising determination, it slipped free from its blanket and scrambled up to perch proudly on Carol’s shoulders. The unexpected move made everyone laugh and added another layer of joy to the occasion.
It was a simple yet profound gesture – one that fulfilled Carol’s wish in the most heartwarming way possible.
Her happiness and gratitude were plain to see, and the room was filled with a sense of warmth and togetherness that only moments like this can create.
The Great Plains SPCA summed it up perfectly in their own words:
“We all know that pets can sometimes be just what the doctor ordered. So when we heard from GC Hospice that they had a resident whose only wish was to snuggle some kittens, we couldn’t say no. We brought not just one but a whole basket of kittens to snuggle up to!”
Groves Community Hospice runs an initiative called the “Happiness Is…” project, which aims to ensure every resident has the chance to see their personal wishes fulfilled.
Carol’s day with the kittens is a shining example of what the project stands for – a reminder that happiness often comes in the simplest forms, like the warmth of a purring kitten in your arms.
This story shows that even in life’s most challenging moments, a small act of kindness can create memories that will be cherished forever.
