Owner Soothes 20-Year-Old Arthritic Senior Dog By Going Swimming In Lake Until He Falls Asleep

Dec 20, 2022

If you have a dog at home, then you most definitely know by now why they are every man’s best friend. Whenever you need them, they will be there for you in an instant. If you are feeling down, they will be the first ones to comfort you. And the best part is, you get to be around them for who you truly are without getting any judgment. Yes, they offer unconditional love like no other.
 
In return, their fur parents should make them feel loved– giving them the kind of attention they deserve. As simple as preparing them with healthy meals and making sure to give them time to stroll around the park can make a difference. But most of all, they should be treated not just as pets but as members of the family. And yes, fur parents should stick with them until the end, too.
 
John Unger of Bayfield, Wisconsin, can attest to the kind of love dogs can give to their humans. For nearly two decades, he and his shepherd mix rescue dog named Schoep were inseparable. It became a challenge for Unger to earn Schoep’s trust because he was abused as a puppy. But he never lost hope.
 
But in 2012, he found out that his dog had severe arthritis. Dog lovers who have had pets who were diagnosed with arthritis know the kind of struggle and pain they must endure. Unger, on the other hand, knew he also had to make a painful decision one way or another.
 
While he felt devasted when he found out that his dog may be put down soon, he also knew he could still do something to help ease Schoep’s pain. Unger knew water therapy could bring relief to people with arthritis.

So, he brought Schoep to one of their favorite spots, Lake Superior. The forbidding diagnosis from the veterinarian then prompted him to bring a photographer to capture the moment.

Little did he know that the photo captured by his good friend and photographer Hannah Stonehouse Hudson would go viral. In the photo, Unger can be seen carrying Schoep in his arms, soaked in water, while he makes him fall asleep.

But his story sparked a conversation that inspired so many dog lovers that he no longer has to worry anything about Schoep’s vet care.  

“A woman from Virginia basically paid for the latest laser therapy on his joints,” he told TODAY.com. “She paid for a full treatment, and I don’t know how much it is, but I know I couldn’t have done that.”

“People from all over are doing this. I can’t believe it. So much has come in already in donations that I don’t have to worry about anything at the vet anymore,” he said.

But it wasn’t the first time Unger brought Schoep to Lake Superior. 13 years ago, he brought Schoep there for the first time to teach him how to swim. 

But Schoep wasn’t just any dog – he saved the life of Unger, who had been dealing with depression for most of his life.

“I went out on the breakwater and I was thinking about committing suicide,” he said.

On how Schoep saved his life, he said: “He just snapped me out of that moment ... we walked around the rest of the night until dawn.”

In 2013, Unger announced on his and Schoep’s Facebook page the passing of his companion for the past 20 years.

Sharing a photo of Schoep’s paw-print in the sand, he wrote: “I Breathe But I Can’t Catch My Breath.”

What do you think about John Unger’s relationship with his dog Schoep? Have you lost a beloved pet as well? Let us know your thoughts and pass this on to your family and friends