Dog diagnosed with cancer on cross-country road trip with her owner

A U.S. Marine veteran and his beloved Labrador who was diagnosed with cancer are making the most of their remaining time together with a cross-country road trip.

It was last May when Robert Kugler found out his pooch, Bella, was diagnosed with advanced osteosarcoma, or bone cancer. He was told Bella’s front left leg would have to be removed, and even then the cancer had already spread to her lungs - giving her at best three to six months left to live.

Facing such devastating news, Krugler decided he’d make it his number one priority to travel America with Bella in tow.

“I feel like right now this is my purpose. It’s the chapter in my life right now is just exploring with my dog,” he told WOWT News.

The duo have made their way across numerous states across the country, often staying inside Kugler’s Toyota 4Runner or crashing on the occasional couch with friends they meet along the way.

That first trip lasted five months, but once the two got back home to Nebraska Kruger decided they weren’t quite done yet. They soon hit the road again to explore the country, and are still at it today 14 months after Bella was first diagnosed.

Kruger has also been documenting his farewell trip with Bella on Instagram, and where the road will take them next still remains to be seen.

“We’re trying to stay as fluid as possible, so not trying to set many plans in stone, but we are truly looking forward to continuing this amazing journey for as long as we can keep going,” he writes on his personal website.

All photos via Instagram