Posted on 08/10/2012 5:11:41 PM PDT by Zakeet
Original Headline: 'He saved MY life... I just want to help him in return': Owner of sick dog whose picture touched the nation's hearts reveals how loyal companion stopped him from suicide
The man pictured lulling his arthritic dog to sleep in Lake Superior has revealed that his dog Schoep saved him from the brink of suicide.
John Unger, 49, adopted the dog with his ex-fiancée 19 years ago, but after the relationship ended, Mr Unger fought a desperate despair.
The companionship of his trusty rescue dog gave Mr Unger the courage to go on, saying : 'I don’t think I’d be here if I didn’t have Schoep with me. I just want to do whatever I can for this dog.'
The water soothes the animal's pain, Mr Unger said, allowing him to sleep.
Mr Unger's good friend Hannah Stonehouse Hudson, who is a professional photographer, captured the heartbreaking moment between the man and his aging rescue dog in Wisconsin when Mr Unger thought his best friend was at the end of his life.
But thanks to the generosity of strangers, the MailOnline can reveal that thousands of dollars have been donated to Schoep's medical care, allowing the pair more time together than they ever imagined.
‘Schoep falls asleep every night when he is carried into the lake. The buoyancy of the water soothes his arthritic bones. Lake Superior is very warm right now, so the temp of the water is perfect,' the photographer explained.
The story behind the special relationship behind this man, who works as a caretaker on a farm outside of Bayfield, and his dog is just as touching as the moment on the Lake.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Several more photographs and lots more information in the article
Yikes, Lake Superior is cold.
This photographer, Hannah Stonehouse, is a dear friend of my cousin, Jeff Rennicke, who is also a fantastic nature photographer. They live in the same area of Northern Wisconsin....lots to photograph up there!!!
It’s a nice picture. Hardly “amazing”, though.
That may be but I would brave it to help my best friend as well
I think it’s amazing.
It’s a nice picture. Hardly “amazing”, though.
That the dog trusts him enough to fall asleep in the water and trusts his buddy not to let him drown isn’t amazing?
A beautiful, touching story. Dogs have the power to save lives indeed. *sniffs*
Keep that dog away from police.
Honestly, I consider that par for the course. When there’s a relationship between a man and his dog that isn’t like that, one of them usually has a problem.
I never trust a man who doesn’t like, or is unable to befriend, dogs.
Amazing is in the eye of the beholder.
“I never trust a man who doesn’t like, or is unable to befriend, dogs.”
I’ve believed and used this standard many times during the last 70 years.
No Regrets.
Your comment should go in the “You can’t make this arrogant stuff up” file.
Guess you just don’t “get it”..I now feel sorry for you.
i think now I understand what you meant..maybe.
i would say it is an Amazing photo, but not “unusual “ for a human that loves dogs.
Mine saved me. I was speeding home at 2am. I was tired from hiking 15 miles. I drank a beer to take the edge off. The dog was awake beside me why i don’t know because the other two were asleep. All at once the dog sat up straight and leaned forward. I got off the gas and on the brake just in time to avoid hitting a herd of deer in the middle of the road
The other night I watched Jesse Stone say goodbye to his boy Buddy and absolutely lost it and now one look at this picture and it's the same thing all over again.
I was once told that real men weren't supposed to lose it like that over a dog, but if that's the case, then I'll gladly be the exception to the rule.
I can't help it and don't want to. Those silly, fuzzy goofs sure do get into one's heart.
We're not worthy, God. Not one bit, but thank you for blessing us with them anyway.
Cops shouldn't shoot dogs.
Ya. You got it. I think it’s a great photo but not amazing.
The last picture I saw of a dog that amazed me was the one of the dog that walked into his owners memorial service (a soldier killed in action), laid down at the foot of the casket and stayed there until he was led away after the service was over.
That picture was amazing.
I agree!!!!!!!!!!!!
The report also mentioned that Taylor's parents are getting a divorce. Sad, sad, sad. How is she going to remain a good, Christian young woman if she's hanging around with the icky Kennedys? Taylor told Vogue earlier this year that she's a great admirer of the Kennedy clan, describing the moment she met Ethel Kennedy as 'the only time in my life I have ever been starstruck.'
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.