Upon learning that his beloved pet had cancer in an incurable stage, Robert Kugler decided not to despair. Instead, he took it and went with the dog on a journey across the country to fill the rest of her life with joy and new experiences. They have been traveling together for over a year now and look really happy.
A chocolate Labrador named Bella lived with her owner Robert Coogler in Nebraska. In 2015, she was diagnosed with cancer, doctors said that she would live no longer than six months.
«They told me the worst news imaginable.She had osteosarcoma and she was progressing, the disease had already affected her lungs. I was offered to either amputate her paw or put her to sleep.»
Robert couldn’t imagine life without his pet and agreed to an amputation. The dog lived with him for nine years, and the guy, who had just graduated from the military academy with a degree in marine veterinarian, decided to go on a trip with Bella.
First they came to the Marine Corps ball in Chicago, and then continued on to the east and northeast of the United States. From there, Robert went with Bella to Florida, and then to Kansas City, where the man was offered a job in a local veterans organization.
«We stayed there for about three months, working. And Bella was still with me, she had so much life in her. So when the opportunity presented itself, I decided to finish the southern route and we went to North Carolina.»
Since then, they have not stopped and traveled all over the country.Robert publishes photos with Bella on his Instagram, which has almost 3 thousand subscribers. More than a year has passed since the Labrador was diagnosed and Bella remains cheerful.
Along the way, Robert does various small jobs to get money for the trip. Often he and Bella get to know the locals and make new friends.
Robert credits traveling with his dog as helping him get over the death of his brother, who died in Iraq, and his sister, who died in a car accident. The guy is going to travel with Bella for as long as he can.
«I feel like this is my destiny now. This is a new chapter in my life that I’m opening right now with my dog.»
