Famous NYC Guide Dog (and Champion for Guide Dog Rights) Dies at 13

One part service dog, one part best friend, Ruger the yellow Lab not only helped guide his owner Kevin Coughlin through the streets of Manhattan, but he became an unofficial mascot for guide-dog rights.

Ruger carved out his place in history when he served as Exhibit A in a series of court cases in which Kevin fought (and won) discrimination suits against businesses that refused to allow his service dog through their doors. Terms like "trailblazer" and "pioneer" are rarely bestowed upon members of the canine family, but in Ruger's case, they seem quite fitting.

After winning high-profile case after high-profile case, Ruger became a darling of the news media and was recognized by strangers who would reportedly stop and introduce themselves on the street. Ruger died Wednesday of natural causes at the age of 13.

When owner Kevin Coughlin lost his vision in 1997, he felt that he would never find true happiness again. When he met Ruger, Kevin tells the New York Times, "It was this in-your-face, all encompassing feeling. That was the biggest gift. He allowed me once again to experience joy."

Ruger accompanied Kevin on his travels for 10 years, even bouncing back after having a cancerous tumor removed from his leg. Obviously, this dog was something special, and people in his neighborhood could see it. Ruger was reportedly a regular at Third Avenue's Imperial Pizza, where workers would happily slip him tasty scraps.

The famous guide dog even had his own retirement party in 2008, when Ruger left the city to enjoy his remaining years in Warwick, N.Y.

Tags: animal rights, AnimalRights, guide dog, guide dog discrimination, GuideDog, GuideDogDiscrimination, kevin coughlin, KevinCoughlin, new york city, NewYorkCity, ruger