A dog named Schoep and his owner John Unger became famous around the world after a photo appeared on the Internet in 2012 in which the dog slept peacefully on his owner’s chest while swimming in a lake in Wisconsin.
There was a story behind this photo that captured the attention of hundreds of thousands of people around the world.
Schoep, who was 19 at the time of this famous photo, had arthritis.
In order to alleviate his suffering a little, every day John took him to the lake. He took the dog in his arms and went deep into the water.
The water allowed the dog to finally relax enough that the pain subsided and Schoep could calmly take a nap on his owner’s chest.
John Unger and his girlfriend adopted Schoep from a shelter. With this girlfriend, whom he wanted to marry, John broke up 11 years ago and then fell into a deep depression.
“I would like to be honest with you. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for this dog. One night, I woke up with suicidal thoughts. But Schoep was with me, and… I don’t know how to explain. He literally cut me off from those thoughts. He has done so much for me that the fact that I am helping to alleviate his suffering in his old age is just the little that I can do for him,” John admitted in an interview.
The vet told John that the dog’s disease was progressing, and it might be best to put the dog down.
Realizing that he could soon lose his best friend, the man asked his friend to photograph him and Schoep as a keepsake.
She managed to make a wonderful shot that will remain in the memory of not only John, but also thousands of people around the world.
After the photo with Schoep sleeping became popular, John began to receive numerous gifts and money from all over the world for treatment.
The veterinarian of the clinic where the dog was treated was amazed that many anonymous people were transferring money.
According to him, John is a good guy and not particularly rich. But he did everything possible for his dog, who still could not be cured completely and who already lived longer than the average dog lives.
The popularity allowed Schoep’s life to be extended by almost a year, giving him the opportunity to celebrate his 20th birthday.
On July 18, 2013, John posted a tragic message about the death of a beloved pet: “I’m breathing, but I can’t catch my breath. Schoep passed away yesterday.”
