An Air Force Veteran and His Faithful Dog Go on a Final Journey Within an Hour and a Half.
Dogs are just incredible, aren’t they? They’re always there for us, no matter what. This heartwarming story is a perfect example of a dog’s amazing loyalty.
Meet Daniel Howe, a retired Air Force veteran who didn’t stop serving his community even after leaving the military. He became Burnsville’s assistant fire chief and was highly respected by his fellow firefighters for his leadership skills. Daniel’s daughter, Heather Nicoletti, says, “He was someone the department relied on to come up with new ideas, teach, train, and stay updated on the latest firefighting techniques.”
But things took a tough turn when Daniel had to retire because of his health. Then, in October 2011, he got diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He had surgery in February 2012, followed by chemotherapy. But through all of this, one thing never changed: Gunner, his loyal Labrador, was always by his side.
Even as Daniel got older, Gunner never left his side. He stuck with Daniel through thick and thin, even during his fight against cancer. Daniel was so grateful for Gunner’s constant support and believed it kept him strong.
Nicoletti remembered how close they were when they were younger. “They were best friends from the start,” she said. “They did everything together, from hunting to traveling. Gunner’s loyalty to Daniel was unmatched.”
As Daniel’s health got worse, Gunner’s did too. Nicoletti noticed that when her dad was feeling anxious, Gunner would feel the same way. When Gunner started acting different and looked swollen, they knew it was time to say goodbye to their faithful friend.
Nicoletti, who worked at a vet clinic, made the tough decision to put Gunner to sleep. About an hour and a half later, Daniel passed away too, remembering that sad day.
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Daniel and Gunner stayed together until the very end. Gunner’s incredible loyalty to his owner is just amazing. They were both so lucky to have each other as faithful companions when they needed it most.
Nicoletti isn’t sure what’s harder for Gunner—to be put to sleep to end his pain or to live without his dad. “It’s heartbreaking either way,” she says. “They thought they’d be together till the end, not just a few hours apart.”
Even though they couldn’t say goodbye, Nicoletti finds comfort in knowing that both her dad and Gunner passed away peacefully without any pain. This heartwarming story shows just how strong love and friendship can be.
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