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Veteran Posts Touching Farewell For Beloved Dog He Took On Viral Road Trip

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Hello, sweet reader. Meet Bella.

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Her owner is Robert Kugler. He's a photographer, storyteller and veteran.

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We filmed a documentary with Rob and Bella back in September. In it, Rob chronicles the touching trip he took with his sadly terminally-ill dog.

He told us,

Bella is the strongest connection I have ever had with another living being, and I don't care that she's a dog.

I'm sure a lot of us can relate to that sentiment, even if we're embarrassed to admit it.

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Well, sadly, Bella passed away today.

Over the past few days, Bella was struggling to breathe. Rob knew the time was near.

Well, #TeamBella...it's hard for me to tell you this, but today may have very well been our last full day in the beautiful outdoors. Bella started shivering today and her breathing became labored.
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Letting an animal pass and seeing the moment drawing near is an extremely difficult process. But documenting the experience seems to have helped him.

She's on oxygen right now and has been given a sedative to help. The X-rays showed that her lungs simply cannot produce enough oxygen...the time is near.

He wrote a touching farewell to Bella on his Instagram today. It's pretty much guaranteed to make you go home and clutch your dog or cat or parents or any thing or person you love.

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I don't have much else to say, other than to tell you to just read it. And if you've ever had an animal die, you're going to cry.

Here it is:

Goodbye my Love. Thank you for never abandoning me...never judging me...never giving up on me... Thank you...for Loving me with every beat of that beautiful heart. Now go, become one with all...dance in the wind, flow in the ocean, and give warmth to the hearts of all you've touched...for your Love is now eternal and immeasurable. To my brother Mike, sister Charity and all my grandparents... give this girl some tummy rubs, would you? For all the spirits young and old who were brought to the other side far too soon due to some type of ailment or disease that took you before your time... welcome this girl as I'm sure she's greeting you with a wagging tail.

RIP, buddy.

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