(From bc.ctv.ca)

(From bc.ctv.ca)

After the rather depressing account of the euthenized giraffe from a Denmark zoo we discussed in class a few weeks ago, I figured I’d feature a much more uplifting tale about a giraffe in central Europe.  This past week, a terminally-ill zoo worker named Mario was granted one last wish by the Dutch Ambulance Wish Foundation.  The organization drives patients to a location they have always wanted to go or a place they would like to see again in their remaining days on Earth.  The dying 54 year-old zookeeper asked to spend some time with the animals he used to take care of at the Rotterham Zoo in the Netherlands.

When they rolled Mario in his stretcher up to the giraffe area, many people reported witnessing an unbelievable connection between the animals and Mario.  The animals seemed to remember him and to sense that all was not well.  In a touching moment, one of the giraffes leaned in close to Mario and appeared to give him a kiss.  Mario beamed and soaked in the special moment.

Remarkably, it seems that some animals have the ability to tell when humans are not feeling their best. There have even been reports of cats and dogs living in nursing homes that have been used to detect cancer in patients or whether patients are in their last moments.  Whether animals truly have illness-detecting abilities or not, it appears that humans and animals have the ability to form lasting bonds just as strong as interpersonal relationships from person to person.  The reason why this article stood out to me, however, was because it did not feature a cat or a dog.  Even a giraffe seems to have this compassionate capacity.

I’d like to believe that stories like this show that kindness and an empathic understanding runs through the animal kingdom.  Sometimes we look at animals and assume them to be extremely selfish and unfeeling albeit at no fault of their own.  “Survival of the fittest,” “it’s a jungle out there,” “dog eat dog world” are a few of the phrases we use.  But sometimes, as Mario can attest, in our darkest moments we see glimmers of kindness even from across the animal kingdom.

Source: http://guardianlv.com/2014/03/dying-zoo-keeper-receives-goodbye-kiss-from-giraffe/