Touching story: Veteran and loyal dog passed away within hours of each other.

Daniel Hove a Wisconsin firefighter started his career in the air force and then continued his life for others serving his community of Burnsville.

“He was someone that his department really relied on to innovate, educate, train and keep up with the new firefighting technique,” his daughter Heather Nicoletti said, as per Kare 11 News.

The brave firefighter and veteran was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2011 and was forced to retire in 2012.

Heather stated that her dad had to endure a lot of chemotherapy rounds.

The retired Assistant Fire Chief Hove for 8 years was surrounded by loved ones as he faced the biggest battle of his life.

There was one family member that never left his side: Gunner his 11-year-old Labrador.

The loyal furry that insisted staying always near his owner started getting sick soon after his owner’s diagnosis.

“When my dad would get agitated, the dog would be agitated, my dad was restless, the dog was restless,” Heather said. “My dad was unresponsive, the dog was unresponsive. So once we saw how the dog was doing–he wasn’t moving much anymore, not doing well– we knew, it was coming.”

Heather states that she just watched Gunner once and then knew that his end is near so she rushed him to the vet clinic, where she used to work. The staff there put Gunner to sleep and about an hour and a half later her dad passed away as well.

“I had said I don’t know what’s going to be more traumatic for him: to try to take him away to end–to put him to sleep– to end his suffering, or if you let him live through dad dying. I think either way it’s going to kill him,” she added.

The family is planning to hold a big ceremony with full honors for her father and his faithful friend once the coronavirus crisis gets down.

Once more we understand how loyal our furry friends are.