Basset hounds photographed staying by dying baby's side

(Courtesy GoFundMe)

Five-month-old Nora Hall breathed her last breath Tuesday afternoon, but she wasn’t alone: Her family’s 8-year-old basset hounds, Grumpy and Gracie, were there by her side.

Fox 4 News reported that Nora’s parents, John and Mary Hall, asked Children’s Hospital – Minneapolis whether the dogs could comfort their baby girl after doctors deemed her survival uncertain. Nora suffered a massive stroke last month and was placed in a medically induced coma for three weeks. Doctors later diagnosed her with pulmonary hypertension, a rare and incurable condition.

The Halls said Grumpy and Gracie had always showed a nurturing affection for Nora, the news station reported.

"I didn't want to go home and have them sniffing around for her and not knowing where she went," Mary Hall said, according to Fox 4 News. "They lowered the bed so the dogs could lay with her, and Gracie ran up and licked [Nora]."

The family shared the heartbreaking photo on Facebook, where it has gone viral.  They also set up a GoFundMe page less than a month ago to help cover the Halls’ bills. As of Friday morning, the page had raised more than $27,000 of its initial $20,000 goal.