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Photo credit: Hannah Stonehouse Hudson/StonehousePhoto.com.
John Unger’s beloved dog is benefiting from some expensive medical treatment thanks to a photograph that went viral over the weekend.
The image is of John Unger holding his 19 year old dog Schoep in Lake Superior. Unger rescued the dog as a puppy, and the two have been through a lot together. Now the aging companion suffers from arthritis; Unger found that the unusually warm waters of Lake Superior helped the dog to relax and fall asleep. Unger asked Bayfield, Wisconsin photographer Hannah Stonehouse Hudson to capture what he believed might be his last journey into the lake with his canine friend.
One of the reasons Unger is there for Schoep, as the photo so clearly shows, is because Schoep’s always been there for him, loyal and true. Unger even credits Schoep for keeping him from taking his own life in the aftermath of a breakup with his fianceé.
The picture has been seen worldwide — and best of all, donations have flowed to Unger so he can purchase laser treatments for Schoep’s arthritis, and someone even sent Unger a Tempur-pedic doggie bed for Schoep. The treatments and the bed have already helped Schoep greatly.
Here’s to you, Schoep, and to you, John Unger. May the two of you swim happily in Lake Superior for some time to come.
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Thanks for the touching story PW!
In an era where heartlessness and cruelty is not only everywhere but seems government policy this is not only touching but reaffirming.
My pleasure!
I think what did it for so many people is seeing the little doggie smile on Schoep’s face. He obviously trusts John completely, enough to let himself relax in John’s arms and sleep in the warm soothing waters.
I’d read this story a few weeks ago and it really is wonderful. My elderly cat passed away a year ago Memorial Day and think of her every day. Amazing how animals can be such an important part of our lives.
Yep. Brings tears to my eyes to see such trusting devotion.
Oh, I should note — Schoep was named after a local ice cream brand, which is pronounced “Shep”. As in “Old Shep”.
The personification of love.
John Unger and Schoep
Now that I’ve had my cry for the morning.
Alison Kraus! Awww!.
Oh, and I should mention that the first photo in the montage was the very first photo taken of Schoep by John Unger, when Schoep was brought home from the animal shelter that had rescued the puppy from an abusive owner. Up to that point in his short life, Schoep had known mostly unkindness from humans, yet he was willing to trust Unger.
I saw a vid a couple weeks ago that was actually live action and that early photo of Schoep, with a description, was at the end. Can’t find the damn thing now.
PW,
I am way late and the discussion has moved on two threads up, but I want to thank you for the picture and the story.
I saw it a couple of weeks ago but did not know the story.
The picture is priceless.
Having lived in Michigan two things i would have never put together are, warm and Lake Superior.
PW, this is lovely. Of course, I saw the still photo when It went around at first…several people posted it on FB, but it’s still lovely every time. And I hadn’t seen the update about the outpouring of help. That’s just terrific.
Schoep is pretty old for a dog his size; I hope he makes another 19 years with John.
And, wayoutwest…my reaction to the “warm waters of Lake Superior” was similar. I notice PW has put “unusually” in front of “warm.”
A good effect of the warming climate, for Schoep and John.
Yep, that doggie smile made that picture.
Heh! The only time it would be warm enough, even in the shallows, would be late July or August, which is when the pic was taken.
But now that Schoep’s had his laser treatments and a new doggie bed, he might be able to swim in the lake even in October.
Shoep!!
All of us arthritic folks benefit from a temperpedic mattress, goggies included.