Who says that the internet can’t make real, positive change happen? The familiar photo above, picturing a man wading into lake superior with his arthritic 19-year-old dog to ease his beloved pet’s pain, went crazy viral in August, and all of the attention has helped that same dog recover.

The photograph, which captured the hearts of millions after going viral, inspired the dog’s owner to launch a foundation to help low-income families care for their aging canines. John Unger, the dog’s owner, was considering putting his poor pooch down before the photo was put on Facebook by a friend. But since launching Schoep’s Legacy Foundation, named for the dog in the photo, Unger says that he has raised more than $25,000 to his cause.

“Schoep is doing incredible right now,” 49-year-old Unger said of his pup. ‘The therapies that the people have donated–it’s like turning back the clock a year and a half.”

Schoep’s vet, Erik Haukass, told the Daily Mail that he foundation was created when the pair “realized we had received more money than we would reasonably spend on Schoep’s care.”

“It could help another 30 or 40 Schoeps,” Haukass said.

Facebook’s Official Fan Page of Schoep and John has more than 20,000 “likes,” and the original photographer is selling prints of the viral photo to contribute to the cause.

“This 19-year-old [Schoep is] being cradled in his father’s arms last night in Lake Superior,” Hannah Stonehouse Hudson, the photographer, wrote in the Facebook post that inspired the deluge of support. “Schoep falls asleep every night when he is carried into the lake. The buoyancy of the water soothes his arthritic bones. Lake Superior is very warm right now, so the temperature of the water is perfect. I was so happy I got to capture this moment for John. By the way, John rescued Schoep as an 8-month-old puppy, and he’s been by his side through many adventures.”

Business for Hudson has benefited from the photo as well. A professional photographer, she told the Twin Cities that she has hired her first employee and an intern since the photo went viral. “I would say a 30 percent increase in shoots,” she said, continuing, “Who knew a favor to a friend would turn into this? It’s completely surreal.”

Because of the attention and the generosity of Schoep’s donors, the expensive laser treatments to reduce pain and swelling have paid off. “He’s walking so much faster,” Unger said. “It’s unbelievable.”

So pat yourselves on the back, internet. You saved Schoep’s life. You guys really take that “4 GR8 JUSTICE” thing seriously, don’t you?

Remember This Viral Photo? You Helped Save This 19-Year-Old Arthritic Dog’s Life is a post from: The Inquisitr

John Unger often wades in the waters of Lake Superior, cradling his sick dog Schoep to help ease its arthritis pain. The touching photo of the sick 19-year-old dog and his best friend have attracted millions of views online and likely more than a tear or two from dog lovers. Schoep is named after a popular Wisconsin ice cream shop.

The phrase “man’s best friend” may have never been more true. John Unger adopted Schoep when the the shepherd mix was just a tiny bundle of fur. The pair of life-long companions go to Lake Superior most evenings so Schoep can have the chance to rest free from arthritis pain. Schoep has difficulty sleeping, so John Unger and his best pal routinely travel to nearby Lake Superior to get in the water together. The movement of the water soothes the the sweet old dog, lulling him to sleep, Radar Online notes.

John Unger and his former fiance found Schoep at the Ozaukee County Wisconsin Humane Society where he had been abandoned and showed signs of being beaten. While Unger’s relationship with his fiance did not last, the one with dog thrived. Unger credits Schoep with his recovery from a severe depression after the break-up that prompted him to consider suicide.

“To be honest with you, I don’t think I’d be here if I didn’t have Schoep with me that night. He just snapped me out of it. I don’t know how to explain it. He just snapped me out of it. I just want to do whatever I can for this dog because he basically saved my a**,” John Unger told the Duluth Tribune.

Hannah Stonehouse Hudson captured the now famous photo of Unger cradling Schoep in the water on Lake Superior. Hudson stated during an interview with the Huffington Post that the image of the man cradling his sleeping dog in the water is in no way staged.

“This is in no way posed. I hate posed photos. They never ever capture the true essence of anything,” the Stonehouse Photography owner stated during the interview.

John was grateful for the photographer’s help capturing what he feared might be the final Lake Superior soak with Scheop. Unger was faced with the possibility of putting Schoep down to end his constant pain if the medication he was taking did not start to help his arthritis condition. Thanks to the growing popularity of the photo of Unger cradling his sleeping dog in the lake, donations have poured in to help pay for arthritis laser treatments for Schoep.

[Image via ShutterStock.com]

Man Cradles His Sick 19-Year-Old Dog In Lake Superior To Help Ease Its Arthritis Pain is a post from: The Inquisitr