After His Dog Was Diagnosed With Cancer, The Owner Took Him On A Final Epic Road Trip
In May of 2015, a beautiful chocolate lab named Bella was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, aka bone cancer. Her owner, Nebraska-based Robert Kugler, was told that either Bella’s front leg should be amputated or she should be put down right away because she was in pain. The decision to amputate Bella’s leg was made and she was given three to six months to live, because cancer had spread to her lungs. After the surgery, Kugler decided to take his furry best friend on a final farewell adventure.
“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 I under the great blue sky.”, Kugler told Bored Panda. They’ve traveled to a bunch of places across the country including Chicago, Key West, Nashville, and Savannah – but the journey isn’t over yet! Now, 14 months later, the happy pair are still traveling the country and enjoying each others company. How is Bella now? “She is doing fantastic”, Kugler told Bored Panda. “The Vets have said to “keep doing what we’re doing, because it’s obviously working.”
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In May 2015 Robert Kugler’s pup, Bella, was diagnosed with cancer and given three to six months to live
So Kugler decided to take her on a farewell road trip across the country
Kugler had just finished school and instead of heading straight to the job market…
He decided to spend time with his pup
They visited Chicago, hit up the Northeastern United States, then head to Florida
When they got back home to Nebraska, “it just didn’t seem complete” – Robert wrote
“The journey wasn’t over….yet there we were…back where we started as if we never left”
So when the opportunity came up, they hit the road again
This time, Robert and Bella traveled to places like Southern Missouri, Kentucky, and Nashville
And today, 14 months later…
The pair is still traveling the country and enjoying each others company
As for Bella…
Well, according to Robert she’s doing pretty darn awesome
Watch this video for more of Robert and Bella
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Some people might think these are "lost months" in the CV but it are gotten months in life.
You're right Hans. It's what we do with our lives that count . . . not what we didn't get to do. This world needs more folks like Robert
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He has given her the power to live longer. With his friendship, all the adventures and enjoyments <3
that be one happy dog. If only all dog owners would do this...dying or not.
This is so lovely! Bella, you go, girl; and Robert, what an awesome guy you are for honouring your friendship. I taje me hat off to you. Animals have beautiful souls that can enrich our lives far beyond the concept of simply having a pet - its having a "soul buddy." Once we make that true connection, it's hard to say the final goodbyes, after every joy shared. Many people don't "get" this, but the ones who do are lucky, blessed by having their hearts warmed by a 4-legged angel. My soul buddy had to be put down on April 29th, miss my Roscoe still. When the time comes, Robert and Bella, may you both have courage and strength. Many blessings.
Robert is MY kind of human! And they are so very rare that when we, the general public, hear about them Karmic blessings will follow May they continue to add many more memorable adventures!
I just openly cried for the first time in over 10 years while reading this...!
Soooo happy for Bella still going strong!!! And for Robert for being happy with his decision! That is awesome!
What a beautiful and brave soul you are bella,I wish you love and wellness!!
What an amazing story and an awesome journey for Bella! Robert - if you pass through NJ, we'd be happy to put you and Bella up for as long as you like!
My father stayed at this guys house while house hunting in Nebraska.
Chances are this was all a sham for upvotes and possible GoFundMe money... The trip was more for him than the dog, it could care less.
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Well done him , and good luck to the both of them. I really mean that. But reality check here. If the same fate was to befall one of my two canine mates, I'd have to keep working to pay my everyday expenses, vet bills etc , continue to pay the finance on my 6 year old heap of junk that is my car. He's just finished school ! Not in the job market yet ! What the hell have I been doing wrong all my life ! But hey. He's a good man with his heart in the right place. I wish him and Bella the very best . X
Is there anything we can do to help support their adventure? GoFundMe or something? I would give just about anything to have had a little more time with my best buddy...
You guys from evolving countries are f****n lucky because you can do things like that I keep thinking what do this kinda people to get money? Here in Brazil it would be impossible. i am 32 and i ve never traveled to another county and thats sad if you see the planet size...
He didn't travel to another country, either. But he had the advantage of having just finished school and had the time to do this. It has nothing to do with the U.S. being an evolving country. I'm sorry you've never been to another country, but your country is huge and fascinating. I would love to be able to see all of it -- especially since parts of it are disappearing at a frightening rate. Good luck to you, Phillipe.
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i just wish i had not taken her back to my vets she would have been alive today
......vets then got together and held a meeting about the outcome for my cat with my prior knowledge and gave her the worst prognosis (note my credit did not allow me this time to pay off a biopsy test) so my vets came to the worst conclusion for my beloved siamese cat even though she was eating, drinking running around and playing that she should be put to sleep. i said no way did i want her to be put to sleep but they ignored my wishes and put her to sleep and that was the end of that and now i need to take some legal advice on what i am able to do i have been told by one of my friends here in new zealand who knows a lawyer and a vet nurse that it's illegal to put down someones pet without the owners consent i should be able to be compensated by the courts i have a letter from my vets regarding the medical care of karma stating on-going medication and treatment no hint of euthanizing her in writing, she was a beautiful pedigree siamese chocolate point cat with a kink in her tail.....
Wynk2u thanks for replying to my comment well here goes quite a while ago i took karma into my vets because she was coughing, sneazing and weazing droplets of blood she tested positive for the streptococcus virus which is caused by an infected cat that bites another cat, note that there is no available vaccine for this horrible virus which is very hard to get rid of. i had also noted that she had developed a red like ulster inside one nostril she was given a long course of antibiotics and the virus disappeared for what seemed like a long time then all of a sudden came back a scraping was taken from her nose and dr. david bergen looked under the microscope but failed to identify a fungal infection she was placed back on medication again and was promised to be treated for months i was fooled into following vets instructions to bring her back into the te rapa surgery for more medication so i did only to have her seized by vets kept alive on pain relief for 2 days vets then..........
Aww,this is made me a blubbering mess. May your journey's never end.
Bella and Robert you are formidable, super! God bless you! ????????????????
Bella & Robert, keep going for as long and far as your collective wills take you! It's always about the journey! Love to you both! <3
it makes me xtra sad watching this video clip because my vets put down my beloved siamese cat, karma after promising to treat her with antibiotics for a streptococcus viral infection she looked like she was on the mend, playing eating and drinking i thought she could come home from my vets hospital instead without my consent they gave her a lethal injection and cremated her and sent her home in a box i'm in new zealand i'm sure what they did was not legal they promised her months on medication but ended her life when i told them not to
Oh, Michelle, that is HORRIBLE. It's a cat lover's nightmare. It won't bring her back, I know, and I am generally not in favor of so-called "frivolous" litigation, but I would seriously consider a lawsuit At the very least, a complaint to your state's veterinary licensing office, letters to every local paper, calls to any "consumer advocates" in your area, a letter to the ASPCA, the mayor, city congressman, U.S. Reps and Senators. (I don't know the equivalent offices in NZ, but you get the idea. Raise hell, in other words. This vet should be officially censured AND (in my opinion) stripped of his license. What if it had been an elderly relative in a nursing home? Euthanasia of a client's pet is strictly the decision of the client/owner. Raise hell and I hope you get their attention!
Load More Replies...
Some people might think these are "lost months" in the CV but it are gotten months in life.
You're right Hans. It's what we do with our lives that count . . . not what we didn't get to do. This world needs more folks like Robert
Load More Replies... He has given her the power to live longer. With his friendship, all the adventures and enjoyments <3
that be one happy dog. If only all dog owners would do this...dying or not.
This is so lovely! Bella, you go, girl; and Robert, what an awesome guy you are for honouring your friendship. I taje me hat off to you. Animals have beautiful souls that can enrich our lives far beyond the concept of simply having a pet - its having a "soul buddy." Once we make that true connection, it's hard to say the final goodbyes, after every joy shared. Many people don't "get" this, but the ones who do are lucky, blessed by having their hearts warmed by a 4-legged angel. My soul buddy had to be put down on April 29th, miss my Roscoe still. When the time comes, Robert and Bella, may you both have courage and strength. Many blessings.
Robert is MY kind of human! And they are so very rare that when we, the general public, hear about them Karmic blessings will follow May they continue to add many more memorable adventures!
I just openly cried for the first time in over 10 years while reading this...!
Soooo happy for Bella still going strong!!! And for Robert for being happy with his decision! That is awesome!
What a beautiful and brave soul you are bella,I wish you love and wellness!!
What an amazing story and an awesome journey for Bella! Robert - if you pass through NJ, we'd be happy to put you and Bella up for as long as you like!
My father stayed at this guys house while house hunting in Nebraska.
Chances are this was all a sham for upvotes and possible GoFundMe money... The trip was more for him than the dog, it could care less.
Load More Replies... Well done him , and good luck to the both of them. I really mean that. But reality check here. If the same fate was to befall one of my two canine mates, I'd have to keep working to pay my everyday expenses, vet bills etc , continue to pay the finance on my 6 year old heap of junk that is my car. He's just finished school ! Not in the job market yet ! What the hell have I been doing wrong all my life ! But hey. He's a good man with his heart in the right place. I wish him and Bella the very best . X
Is there anything we can do to help support their adventure? GoFundMe or something? I would give just about anything to have had a little more time with my best buddy...
You guys from evolving countries are f****n lucky because you can do things like that I keep thinking what do this kinda people to get money? Here in Brazil it would be impossible. i am 32 and i ve never traveled to another county and thats sad if you see the planet size...
He didn't travel to another country, either. But he had the advantage of having just finished school and had the time to do this. It has nothing to do with the U.S. being an evolving country. I'm sorry you've never been to another country, but your country is huge and fascinating. I would love to be able to see all of it -- especially since parts of it are disappearing at a frightening rate. Good luck to you, Phillipe.
Load More Replies... i just wish i had not taken her back to my vets she would have been alive today
......vets then got together and held a meeting about the outcome for my cat with my prior knowledge and gave her the worst prognosis (note my credit did not allow me this time to pay off a biopsy test) so my vets came to the worst conclusion for my beloved siamese cat even though she was eating, drinking running around and playing that she should be put to sleep. i said no way did i want her to be put to sleep but they ignored my wishes and put her to sleep and that was the end of that and now i need to take some legal advice on what i am able to do i have been told by one of my friends here in new zealand who knows a lawyer and a vet nurse that it's illegal to put down someones pet without the owners consent i should be able to be compensated by the courts i have a letter from my vets regarding the medical care of karma stating on-going medication and treatment no hint of euthanizing her in writing, she was a beautiful pedigree siamese chocolate point cat with a kink in her tail.....
Wynk2u thanks for replying to my comment well here goes quite a while ago i took karma into my vets because she was coughing, sneazing and weazing droplets of blood she tested positive for the streptococcus virus which is caused by an infected cat that bites another cat, note that there is no available vaccine for this horrible virus which is very hard to get rid of. i had also noted that she had developed a red like ulster inside one nostril she was given a long course of antibiotics and the virus disappeared for what seemed like a long time then all of a sudden came back a scraping was taken from her nose and dr. david bergen looked under the microscope but failed to identify a fungal infection she was placed back on medication again and was promised to be treated for months i was fooled into following vets instructions to bring her back into the te rapa surgery for more medication so i did only to have her seized by vets kept alive on pain relief for 2 days vets then..........
Aww,this is made me a blubbering mess. May your journey's never end.
Bella and Robert you are formidable, super! God bless you! ????????????????
Bella & Robert, keep going for as long and far as your collective wills take you! It's always about the journey! Love to you both! <3
it makes me xtra sad watching this video clip because my vets put down my beloved siamese cat, karma after promising to treat her with antibiotics for a streptococcus viral infection she looked like she was on the mend, playing eating and drinking i thought she could come home from my vets hospital instead without my consent they gave her a lethal injection and cremated her and sent her home in a box i'm in new zealand i'm sure what they did was not legal they promised her months on medication but ended her life when i told them not to
Oh, Michelle, that is HORRIBLE. It's a cat lover's nightmare. It won't bring her back, I know, and I am generally not in favor of so-called "frivolous" litigation, but I would seriously consider a lawsuit At the very least, a complaint to your state's veterinary licensing office, letters to every local paper, calls to any "consumer advocates" in your area, a letter to the ASPCA, the mayor, city congressman, U.S. Reps and Senators. (I don't know the equivalent offices in NZ, but you get the idea. Raise hell, in other words. This vet should be officially censured AND (in my opinion) stripped of his license. What if it had been an elderly relative in a nursing home? Euthanasia of a client's pet is strictly the decision of the client/owner. Raise hell and I hope you get their attention!
Load More Replies...
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