John Unger and his dog Schoep
/ Courtesy NBC News
WISCONSIN -- They say dogs are man's best friend and John Unger and Schoep of Bayfield, Wisconsin are proof of that.
Their friendship started when Unger adopted Schoep from a shelter as a puppy 19 years ago.
It turns out Schoep wasn't the only one who needed to be rescued.
"He's been my guardian for a number of years," Unger said.
Time has given them memories, but it has also taken a toll on Schoep's body.
"This joint right here kind of freezes up," Unger said pointing to Schoep's hind leg.
Arthritis and hip dysplasia have settled into Schoep's joints. The only comfort now is a routine that keeps Schoep off his feet.
Unger takes Schoep out into Lake Superior for a dip as often as they can. Unger gently places his arm under Schoep as they float together in the water.
With no pressure on his body, Schoep quickly falls asleep in Unger's arms. Schoep's eyes close as his head rests on Unger's chest, and sometimes they stay that way for hours.
"This is living," Unger said as they floated in Lake Superior Thursday evening.
Unger is careful with every minute. He's not sure how much longer Schoep will be around. .
"Not too many more times are we going to be able to do this. So every time now it's a pretty special feeling, the buoyancy it gives him in the water relieves the pain, or at least some of it to the point where he's relaxed," says Unger.
He wanted just one picture of them in the water to capture their friendship.
He asked Hannah Stonehouse Hudson, owner of Stonehouse Photo in Bayfield, to take a few pictures.
She posted one picture of Unger and Schoep on Facebook, and it went viral within a few hours. It has now been viewed more than 2 million times.
"It's been viewed almost three million times; it's been shared I think 150,000 times. It's been like an incredible amount of times," says Hudson.
Unger said he is overwhelmed by all the attention. He just wanted to capture one moment with his best friend; instead he captured the world.
(Information courtesy NBC News)
