MORGANTON — Not many ladies can speak five different languages but she could.
She seemed to have a way of brightening even the gloomiest of days for sick or injured people in hospital corridors, halls and rooms — and even in a cancer center.
Solid black except on her snout, she stood 36 inches at the shoulder, weighed 165 pounds and was, by all accounts, the kind of dog anyone would be proud to call their own.
Morgan, a Great Dane, spent most her free time working as a therapy dog over the past five years at Catawba Valley Medical Center, Behavioral Health in Grace Hospital at Morganton and the Cancer Center at Valdese Hospital, always in an effort to bring a smile and comfort to patients.
“People would gasp and proclaim her beauty and want to talk to Morgan,” said Kenneth Diem. “Morgan could respond in five different languages, which always got a laugh.”
Morgan was the only therapy dog working at Blue Ridge over the past two and a half years.
After a mass was found on her liver earlier this year her kidneys began to fail. She passed away on Sunday.
Wanda Saunder, executive assistant to the president and CEO of Blue Ridge HealthCare, said losing Morgan leaves a void in the hearts of all the people who knew her.
“Everywhere she went — whether in patient rooms, waiting rooms and the cancer center — everyone who touched or even hugged Morgan felt somewhat at ease because she was there,” Saunders said in an email. ”We all were amazed at her gentleness, in her own way saying to us, ‘It’s going to be ok.’”
Morgan is survived by Kenneth Diem and his wife Eileen.
Diem said he was very sad to have lost Morgan, but that what time they got together made having her worth the pain.
“Morgan was truly a blessing from God,” Diem said. “We were able to meet many beautiful people, both staff and patients, and for that we are forever thankful. It goes without saying we are heartbroken, and yet so very happy to have known Morgan and all the joy she brought on her travels.”
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