A lot of consideration is given to human grief, but animals grieve too. Dogs are man’s last loyal animals, but show many expressions of grief after losing their owners and furry friends.
But in the case of a dog named Gunner, it seems he knows that the end of his beloved owner is near and that he can’t cope with life without his owner.
Wisconsin firefighter Daniel Hove began his career in the Air Force and later went on to give his life for others serving his Burnsville community. “He is someone his department really relies on to innovate, educate, train and keep up with new firefighting techniques.”
But the heroic firefighter and veteran stopped short after he was diagnosed with pancreatic ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ in 2011 and forced to retire in 2012. Heather said her father had endured multiple waves of chemotherapy.
For eight years, retired Assistant Fire Chief Hove was surrounded by loved ones as he faced the biggest battle of his life. But one family member who never left him especially was his 11-year-old Labrador Sniper.
The devoted dog that wanted to be anywhere with Daniel also started getting sick soon after his owner was diagnosed. Heather says: “When my dad gets agitated, the dog gets agitated, my dad gets nervous, the dog gets nervous. My father did not react, nor did the dog react. So when we see how the dog is doing it’s not moving much anymore, not doing well we know, it’s coming.”
Heather said she looked at Gunner one day and knew he was dying, so she rushed him to the veterinary clinic, where she used to work. There, staff put Gunner to sleep, and about an hour and a half later, her father also passed away.
Heather said, “I said I don’t know what would have been more ᴘᴀɪɴꜰᴜʟ for him: trying to put him to the end to put him to sleep to end his sᴜꜰꜰᴇʀɪɴɢ, or if you let him live through the ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ of his father. I think it will kill him no matter what.”
We know they will go together. We just didn’t know it would be hours apart. The family plans to hold a grand ceremony full of honor for her father and his loyal friend.
Dogs are very loyal and we can all rest assured that these two never have to say goodbye to each other. Rest in peace Fire Commander Hove and loyal Sniper!