By the time he was transferred to the shelter, it was clear all Watson wanted was someone to sit with him. The only thing they could do at that point was try to keep him comfortable — and Guido did just that.

"I had a gut feeling that things weren't going to be good the next day," she said. "I didn't want to leave him alone. Not when he needed me the most."

On Wednesday night, Guido gathered up a pile of blankets and dog beds and laid them down in the laundry room at the rescue. She lay down with Watson, put her arms around him and gently talked to him.