Every day John Unger carries his aging dog Schoep into the rolling waters of Lake Superior to give him a moment of comfort and relief.
After adopting his loyal dog Schoep from an animal shelter nearly two decades ago their roles have been reversed, and it is now John who loyally takes care of Schoep. Schoep’s remarkably long life has taken its tole on the once energetic dog.
Arthritis and hip dyspepsia cause his joints to ache and freeze up, but suspended in the lake’s cool waters John’s friend finds relief, and quickly drifts into a tranquil sleep. “It just takes the weight off of his whole entire body.” John says. “Whatever aches and pains are there…it alleviates those.” John knows that time may be running out for his old friend, who has lived much longer than dogs of his size are expected to, but he has promised to be there until the end. Together they repeat the same routine day after day.
After a belabored walk to the beach, John hoists Schoep carefully into his arms and wades into the surf allowing the old dog to fade into a relaxed sleep.
“This is heaven, actually” John says as he cradles Schoep in the cool waters of the Great Lake, sometimes for hours at a time. “This is pretty amazing that I still have him with me.” John says of Schoep, and if the relaxed dog could talk, he would probably say the same of John.