The story of Schoep, a 19-year-old dog, and his owner, John Unger, achieved global fame in 2012 when a photograph of the dog peacefully sleeping on John’s chest while bathing in a Wisconsin lake went viral. The poignant image revealed a deep bond forged through necessity: Schoep suffered from severe arthritis, and every day, John would carry him into Lake Superior. The cool, buoyant water was the only thing that provided the dog relief from his pain, allowing him to finally relax enough to peacefully nap while cradled by his owner.
Their relationship was one of mutual salvation that dated back 11 years. John and his former fiancée adopted Schoep from a shelter. Following a breakup with the woman he had planned to marry, John fell into a severe depression. He credits the dog with saving his life, admitting that he “would absolutely not be here if it wasn’t for this dog.” John recalled one night when he awoke with suicidal thoughts, but Schoep’s presence literally “cut me off from those thoughts,” making the daily efforts to ease the dog’s suffering in his old age “just the little I can do for him” in return for saving his life.
The famous photograph was not taken by chance. A year before the photo was taken, a veterinarian informed John that Schoep’s arthritis was progressing and suggested it might be kinder to put the dog to sleep. Realizing he might soon lose his best friend, John asked his friend, photographer Hannah Hudson, to take a keepsake photo of them at the lake. Hannah managed to capture the remarkable shot of Schoep sleeping, which quickly captivated the world and became a symbol of unconditional love and kindness in a seemingly cynical world.
After the photo gained popularity, the story resonated deeply with thousands of people who had experienced loss or shared similar bonds with their pets. Many people commented on the Facebook page John created to share updates on Schoep, noting that they cried upon seeing the photograph and were moved by the enduring love it represented. Hannah commented that people wrote about how happy they were to see that “there is still something good and kind left in this world.”
The unexpected fame brought practical support, with John receiving numerous gifts and money transfers from anonymous donors worldwide to cover Schoep’s ongoing medical treatments. The veterinarian was amazed by the volume of donations, confirming that John was not wealthy and had already done everything possible for his beloved dog. The global generosity ensured that Schoep, who had already lived longer than typically expected for his breed, could continue to receive care, allowing the story of devotion and kindness to continue touching hearts around the world.