A MAN'S best friend is devoted to the end and that was certainly the case in this heart-breaking tale.

When former Failsworth joiner Graham Liggett was admitted to Dr Kershaw's Hospice with mesothelioma it meant being separated from his faithful hound Cody.

It also meant his wife Sue was having to leave Graham's side to return home to care for their beloved 13-year-old German shepherd/border collie cross - until that is, the kind-hearted and caring nurses at the hospice came up with solution.

They suggested Sue should bring Cody in to be with her loving master during his final days - and that's exactly what happened. It also meant Sue could stay over and spend precious time with her husband.

After exercising in the hospice gardens Cody was soon back at the bedside to support Graham.

"I would never have thought of asking to take the dog to the hospice but when the nurses suggested the idea, it meant I could stay overnight to be with Graham," said Sue.

"The nursing staff have been fantastic."

Adele Doherty, clinical matron at Dr Kershaw’s, said: “The nurses are always keen to do whatever we can to make our patients’ stay as comfortable as possible and that goes for helping family members as well.

“Cody was very friendly to all the doctors and nurses and his presence made Graham content and took the pressure of travelling off Sue.”

Sadly Graham passed away, aged 69, at the end of November, surrounded by Cody and his family.

He and Sue had been married for over 47 years and had two children and four grandchildren.

Graham served his time as a joiner with local firm H&E Hey before working for Manchester Direct Works, and it was here that he worked with asbestos that is later thought to have brought on cancer.