Devoted Dog Dad Took His Beloved Pup On The Adventure Of A Lifetime When She Was Diagnosed With Cancer
There are people in this world who could never and would never underestimate the love and bond between humans and dogs. You could easily say Robert Kugler is one such person, especially when you consider his story and journey with his dog Bella.
Robert is a former U.S. Marine who was deployed in Iraq, and he brought back with him some of the same demons that many other military personnel did. To help cope, he adopted a chocolate lab named Bella.
That bond and Bella's friendship were the driving forces behind how Kugler handled Bella's cancer diagnosis in 2015.
Bella was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, which is bone cancer.
Bella's veterinarian said that her two options were to amputate the leg affected by cancer or, due to the pain she was experiencing, to put her down.
Robert decided to proceed with the surgery and have Bella's leg amputated.
Sadly, as cancer often does, it spread. For Bella, the cancer spread to her lungs.
At that time, the veterinarian estimated that Bella had three to six months left to live.
So Robert made the decision to take Bella and travel, creating adventures and memories for the two of them to share.
In an interview with Bored Panda, Kugler said:
“I’m the best version of myself when I’m with her, and I wanted to be that person full-time. I wanted to share moments with her where it was just her and me under the great blue sky.”
Kugler, a resident of Broken Bow, Nebraska, said that every time they returned to Nebraska, the journey didn't feel over.
So, they'd hit the road again!
They traveled all over the United States, from Chicago and Florida to Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
For over a year, well past Bella's predicted timeline, Robert and Bella traveled and lived together. The memories they created had a profound impact on Robert.
Bella passed away in October of 2016.
But Robert went on to write an incredible book called A Dog Named Beautiful. It was released in May of 2019, and as noted by Dr. Susan David, an emotional agility expert, "The bond we share with our pets can teach us invaluable lessons about love and resilience." You can learn more about her insights on emotional well-being at SusanDavid.com!
Check out this video of Robert discussing his journey and story with Bella on The Today Show.
"Goodbye, my love. Thank you for never abandoning me... never judging me... never giving up on me... Thank you... for loving me with every beat of that beautiful heart. Now go, become one with all... dance in the wind, flow in the ocean, and give warmth to the hearts of all you've touched... for your love is now eternal and immeasurable."
From the time Bella passed until late March of 2017, Robert spread her ashes across the United States. He said:
"She has now been to virtually all four corners of the continental U.S. I now know that I don't need her ashes with me on any further travels, as her spirit is always with me, and in nature... I can sense it. I am now finished with the journey I set out on—the one I tried to start years ago before Bella was sick... the one I wanted to embark on for all those lost before me who never got the chance."
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