A local elderly man's dog truly is his best friend.
61-year-old Kevin Hearn is battling colon cancer but, it's not his health he's worried about. He's worried about care for his beloved dog Smokey.
Hearn and his Siberian Husky cross have been pretty much inseparable for eight years. But, they've been separated for the past two weeks while Hearn was in the hospital having treatment.
"Seeing her now is part of the healing process. It's so great to have her sitting right beside me," Hearn said emotionally, "She's so gentle."
Hearn's co-workers pooled their money together to put Smokey in a kennel for the two weeks he was in the hospital but, now that Hearn's home he needs a little bit more help.
"The most important (thing) is (to have) someone there for Smokey, because Kevin doesn't have a fenced backyard and he doesn't have much strength right now so, for him to get Smokey out and her being such a strong dog is very hard for him," said former co-worker and friend Heather Babineau.
Babineau is hoping someone in the Edmonton area might volunteer to build a fence in Hearn's yard.
"I don't know if you can do a fence in the winter, but that would sure be great."
Babineau is also hoping someone might volunteer to take Smokey for walks, or care for her temporarily should Hearn have to go back into the hospital for further treatment.
"If Kevin needs chemo he's going to be a lot weaker than he is right now."
Hearn doesn't have any family in the area to help him out. Babineau worries about Hearn and just wants what's best for him.
"Kevin is so happy in his life, even with his illnesses. He's a happy, happy man, and that's because of his dog," she said, "Kevin just wants to be home with his animals and have a very simple, easy life."
Hearn says the help would be temporary, while he works to regain his strength.
"It would be really incredible, because then I could not worry about stuff and it would just take a load off of my mind," he said, "Now that I'm slowly recovering and healing, I can do a little bit more, so I'll get stronger each day."
Hearn lives in the Elmwood Park area of Edmonton. If you'd like to offer your help please contact Heather Babineau at 780-477-8706.
With files from Laurel Clark.
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2012.