Daniel Hove, a former Air Force veteran and assistant fire chief, received overwhelming support from his loved ones when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. However, his loyal furry companion, an 11-year-old Labrador named Gunner, proved to be his greatest source of comfort during this challenging period. Despite his size, Gunner remained close to his owner’s side, as evidenced in photos that captured him snuggling next to Daniel’s bed, and even sitting on his lap. Throughout his final years, Gunner never let Daniel out of his sight, offering the unwavering companionship that only a loyal dog can provide.
According to Heather Nicoletti, the daughter of Daniel, he and his dog Gunner were inseparable until the very end. They were always together, whether it was hunting or simply spending time with each other. Therefore, it was not surprising when Gunner suddenly fell ill after Daniel became bedridden. Heather recalled how her father and Gunner were always in sync, with the dog becoming agitated when her father was agitated and unresponsive when her father was unresponsive. As Gunner’s health continued to deteriorate and he stopped moving around, the family knew that the inevitable was approaching.
Heather had to make the difficult decision of putting down her old dog, Gunner, when he started showing signs of illness such as lethargy and swelling. She quickly contacted the vet clinic where she used to work, and they accommodated her request. Sadly, Heather’s father passed away just an hour and a half after Gunner was put to sleep. While Heather was devastated by her father’s passing, she found solace in the fact that Gunner never had to experience the pain of being separated from his beloved human friend. Heather’s father was a respected member of their community, a dedicated mentor, and a loving parent who touched many lives.
Heather expressed her concern about what would be more distressing for Gunner, her dog. She wondered if it would be harder to euthanize him or watch him endure the death of her father. She believed that both situations would be devastating for Gunner. Heather and her family had anticipated that Gunner and her father would pass away around the same time. However, they did not expect it to happen only a few hours apart. Heather thinks that Gunner could not bear to be without her dad and made a decision to pass away with him.
