The following stories illustrate the wonderful relationship between humans and canines. The first one dates back to 2012, when a simple photograph made headlines around the world and became an internet sensation.
John Unger took Schoep as a rescue dog that had been abused as a puppy. He was engaged to be married then, but sadly, the relationship failed, and John’s fiancé moved away.
In those early years, life was not easy for John; he suffered from depression and had suicidal thoughts, but when he was on the brink, Schoep was there, and the dark depression lifted.
In his later years, Schoep suffered from severe arthritis, and John was warned that the pain would probably lead to euthanasia. John had read that water therapy benefits people suffering from arthritis and wondered if the same was true for dogs. With the threat of euthanasia close, John asked a photographer friend, Hannah Stonehouse Hudson, to take a photo of him and Schoep in the water so that if Schoep had to be put to sleep, he would have a cherished memory and it would be captured for posterity.
Neither John nor Hannah could have predicted that the photo of John and Schoep would become one of the most iconic photographs of the year.
The image of the pair of them that showed Schoep falling asleep as the pain eased led to the outpouring of support from people, allowing Schoep to have laser treatments on his joints and all the medication that was needed.
Schoep didn’t need to be put to sleep and finally passed away peacefully at the age of 20 years.
Connor Guillet was born addicted to opiates, he is affected psychologically, emotionally and physically and if that is not enough he is non verbal.
He was adopted at 4 weeks of age by mum Brandi, who knew that she faced a massive task. since adoption, Connor has been diagnosed with a chromosomal disorder, damage to his brain and nervous system, plus autism. To suggest that this situation was difficult could be classed as a classic understatement, particularly as Connor’s only way of communicating was through sign language.
Mum Brandi needed all the help she could get, and it came from a rather unexpected source. In a nearby shelter was the answer to her prayers. Sitting, waiting to be adopted, was Ellie, the boxer dog. So, at six years of age, Connor was introduced to 3-year-old Ellie, and the two became inseparable. They would play for hours, giving Brandi a much-needed break and seeing the two of them together, as she says, “Warms my heart like nothing else.” It is an accepted fact that some children with autism can greatly benefit from the companionship of the right dog.
And what is so special about Ellie that Connor was able to create an amazing bond between the two of them? Well, as I said before, Conner can only communicate via sign language, but to Ellie, this is not a problem, in fact it’s a bonus because, you see, Ellie the boxer dog is profoundly deaf!!
On the 19th of August, 2023, Rich Moore, 72 years old, an experienced hiker, left home with his white Jack Russell dog Finney. He was attempting to traverse a local mountain called Blackhead Peak. This inhospitable place lies on the western boundary of the South San Juan wilderness. Archuleta County, Colorado, USA
Rich Moore did not return.
When he was reported missing, a rescue mission was launched. This was led by the Taos Search and Rescue unit (TSAR), but the difficulty of accessing the terrain was such that the team had to be taken in by helicopter. They did find his car, but despite spending 2000 cumulative hours searching, they found no trace of Moore or his dog Finney. Eventually, the rescue had to be called off.
Finally two months later the body of Rich Moore was discovered by a fellow hiker, he was not in the area expected and no rational explanation could be envisioned and for an experienced hiker he was without adequate clothing. It was thought that he became disoriented and eventually succumbed to hypothermia.
And what of Finney?
Finney was found next to the body of Rich Moore. Despite her advanced age, she was 14 years old, she had survived by drinking water from a nearby stream and it was assumed that she had caught small rodents like mice to help stay alive. She had lost half her body weight, but incredibly, she was in remarkably good health for her age.
Amid this tragedy, Rich Moore’s family lived with the hope that Finney somehow survived. Their faith was rewarded beyond expectation, and they were comforted by the knowledge that in Rich Moore’s final moments, he was not alone. He had the company of his faithful companion even after death.
“Why does watching a dog be a dog fills one with happiness?”
Jonathan Safran Foer
With subtitle or not?