There is much thought given to human sorrow, but animals grieve too. Dogs, who are faithful animals until the end, show many signs of sorrow after losing their owners and furry friends.
But in the case of a dog named Gunner, it seems like he knew that the end was near for his beloved owner and that he couldn’t bear a life without him.
Firefighter Daniel Hove from Wisconsin (USA) began his career in the Air Force and then continued to sacrifice his life for others by serving the Burnsville community.
“He was someone his department really relied on to innovate, educate, train, and stay up to date with new firefighting techniques,” said his daughter Heather Nicoletti, according to Kare 11 News.
But the heroic firefighter and veteran were stopped after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2011 and had to retire in 2012.
Heather said her father underwent many rounds of chemotherapy.
For eight years, retired Assistant Fire Chief Hove was surrounded by loved ones as he fought the biggest battle of his life. But there was one family member who never left his side: his 11-year-old Labrador Gunner.
‘We knew it was coming’
The devoted dog who wanted to be wherever Daniel was, also started getting sick shortly after his owner’s diagnosis.
“If my father would get agitated, the dog would get agitated, my father was restless, the dog was restless,” said Heather. “My father wouldn’t respond, the dog wouldn’t respond. So once we saw how the dog was doing – he wasn’t moving much anymore, it wasn’t going well – we knew it was coming.”
Heather said that one day she looked at Gunner and knew he was nearing the end and rushed him to the veterinarian, where she used to work. There, the staff put Gunner to sleep, and about an hour and a half later, her father passed away as well.
“I had said that I don’t know what would be more traumatic for him: trying to take him away to put an end to it – to euthanize him – to put an end to his suffering, or if you let him live past his owner’s death. I think it will kill him either way,” she added.
“We knew they would go together. We just didn’t know it would only be hours apart.”
The family planned to have a grand ceremony with full honors for her father and his loyal friend, once the COVID-19 crisis would impose fewer restrictions on services. By now, that has undoubtedly taken place.
Dogs are so intuitive and we can all draw comfort from the fact that these two never had to say goodbye to each other. Rest in peace Fire Chief Hove and Gunner.
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