In her last interview with the Pioneer Press, just days before she and her husband were fatally shot, state Rep. Melissa Hortman said that above all this summer she was looking forward to spending

Trained through the nonprofit Helping Paws, the golden retriever was meant to become a service dog for someone in need. But instead of following commands, Gilbert gave his affection freely—tail wagging,

The dog of Minnesota Democratic State Representative Melissa Hortman was also killed in the shooting that left the politician and her husband dead.