Heart Melting: Man Takes His Dying Dog On One Last Epic Journey

One quote from a tearjerker movie goes: “A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes, or designer clothes. A water logged stick will do just fine. A dog doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he’ll give you his. How many people can you say that about? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special? How many people can make you feel extraordinary?”

― John Grogan, Marley & Me

After his beloved chocolate Labrador had its leg amputated when diagnosed with advanced osteosarcoma, cancer of the bone, it spread out to Bella’s lungs and he was beyond heartbroken.

A Marine, turned Humanitarian and traveler from the small town of Broken Bow, Nebraska, Robert Kugler,was told that his dear Bella has only three to six months left to live. Bella has been with him for nine wonderful years since he adopted her.

He told in an interview that his relationship with Bella is the ‘biggest connection he’s had with another living being’ and he could not care any less if she is a dog. He said that he would not be able to go around thinking that he could come home one day to find Bella gone.

“This…is my Happiness. #Love”

If you asked me right now what I needed…I would tell you…”Nothing, I have it all.”

This made him decide to take her on an epic send-off road trip across the country.

He captioned that he would do so to: “encourage others to get out and explore, inspire those with disabilities to continue to Love their lives and enjoy the moment, and of course, to simply enjoy each other’s company.”

He has worked as , a Pre-K teacher, SAG Actor, a Disaster Relief Volunteer, a Garbage Man, a Heavy Equipment Operator, and among others, he creates and explores for a living.

Bella miraculously is still going strong after a year and two months and they have been everywhere from Chicago, Key West, Nashville, and Savannah Detroit, Florida and the adventure continues. It all began last November at a Marine Corps Ball.

An ecstatic girl splashing at Holmes Lake in Lincoln

Overlooking at the Appalachian Mountains in Riverton, West Virginia.

Enjoying every minute and every view the world has to offer at Arcadia National Park, Maine

Posing before the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. "Art has never been more fine."

Conquering every mountain on their way at Adirondack Mountains National Park.

'Bella's First Trip to the Atlantic Ocean'

Thankful for dog beaches. Robert and Bella at Bonita Beach Dog Park in Florida

Bella on cloud nine at Blue Ridge Mountains

A wonderful day spent at Central Park, NYC

Seeing the full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Nashville