Images of Daniel’s last years capture the devoted dog, Gunner, cuddling next to his owner in bed and curling up on his lap, despite his large size of 90 pounds. Gunner always stayed close, never straying more than a few inches away no matter the circumstances.
“He and Gunner were inseparable until the very end,” shared Heather Nicoletti, daughter of Daniel, in an interview with Kare 11. They were not just companions, but true hunting partners who did everything together. So, it was no surprise when Daniel fell ill, his faithful dog Gunner followed suit.
“When my dad was feeling anxious, Gunner would also get restless. They were always in tune with each other,” Heather reminisced. “As my dad became unresponsive, so did Gunner. When we noticed Gunner’s declining health and lack of movement, we knew the inevitable was near.”
One day, Heather sadly made the tough decision to have her old dog Gunner put to sleep as he became less active and his health declined. She quickly arranged for a vet appointment and brought him in, giving him peace. Shortly after, her father passed away. Despite the heartbreak of losing her father, who was a kind parent, respected veteran, valued community member, and a source of guidance and friendship for many, Heather found solace in the fact that her father and Gunner were never separated in their final moments. Gunner, who was inseparable from his best human friend, would have struggled to be apart from his beloved owner.
Heather expressed her uncertainty about what would be more difficult for him. She stressed that deciding to euthanize their pet or allowing him to witness their father’s death would both have a profound impact on him. Either way, she believed it would be extremely challenging for their beloved pet. They were aware that tough decisions were ahead.
