Sick dog reunited with owner before death

(WBAY) – A sick and elderly dog was put down in Oshkosh Thursday afternoon – and thanks to the Oshkosh Area Humane Society, the dog’s owner was right by its side.

The story reported earlier this week went viral, about a stray dog suffering serious health issues, and the Oshkosh Area Humane Society’s pleas to find its owner.

While the dog was given the name Holstein by the Oshkosh Area Humane Society, its real name was Boone.

Boone was dropped off last week after being found on the city’s north side.

Since it was suffering from a number of health issues, the shelter took to Facebook to track down Boone’s owner.

They found Kaleb Smith, who’s 16.

“It was my fault he was gone, I’d say, because I left the gate open for him,” Kaleb said. “I didn’t know that, so I went to bed and woke up the next morning and he was gone. So I searched for him the whole week. I did not check the Humane Society. Totally forgot to.”

At the shelter, Boone was receiving hospice care because of respiratory and kidney problems, on top of suffering from arthritis and possible dementia.

The dog was scheduled to be put down, but the Humane Society wanted someone from the dog’s family to be there.

For that, Kaleb is grateful.

“I’m glad I’ll be there by his side, because I’d rather be there by his side than not be there at all. I would like to see him one last time before he gets put down.”

Boone has been Kaleb’s dog since Kaleb was 3 years old.

“It’s going to be really difficult I think. I’m probably going to cry.”

The Humane Society declined an on-camera interview. A representative told us situations like this are difficult, but they were glad someone Boone loved could be with him at the end.