However, it was much more serious. Jessen, 33, was diagnosed with an incurable ventricular brain hemorrhage.
His family and friends gathered to be with him in his final days.
"The hospital did the sweetest thing for us and allowed us to bring my brother's dog in to 'say goodbye' so she'd know why her human never came home," Jessen's sister, Michelle Jessen, posted Dec. 1 on Facebook.
Mollie, his beloved dog, also got to say farewell.
The video shows Mollie on the hospital bed sniffing around a sedated Jessen.
Jessen died Nov. 30.
"We are sincerely touched and humbled by others' stories, their sharing in our sadness and the kindness of so many people," Jessen wrote. "Don't worry about the dog! We're keeping her!!! She's part of the family."