by DONALD BROOME
Special to Whitewater News
In the face of disasters, mortal danger, and even certain death, dogs have long lived up to their reputations as “Man’s best friend” with acts of loyalty that can touch even the hardest of hearts. Where, for example, we have a German shepherd named “Capitan” who has faithfully slept on the grave of his owner for over six years, which shows that dogs grieve just like we do when a loved one is gone, leaving mere words inadequate to describe the kind of faithfulness, loyalty and love so often lacking in our fellow man but personified by the following dogs.
“CAPITAN” – Miguel Guzman bought “Capitan” for his son in 2005, but when Guzman died in 2006 Capitan disappeared until his family returned to the cemetery a week later and found him sitting beside Guzman’s grave howling, because the heartbroken dog had somehow found the cemetery on his own (which was miles away) and he has lived there standing guard over Guzman’s grave ever since. “I tried to bring Capitan home many times” his son said ,”But he always goes straight back because he wants to look after my dad.”
HAWKEYE — This faithful dog’s owner was a 35-year old Navy Seal named Jon Tumilson who died in a helicopter crash. When 1,500 mourners came to pay their respect, all eyes were on the dog’s heart-wrenching display of devotion, as Hawkeye steadfastly refused to leave his place beside Tumilson’s casket where he was obviously grieving for his fallen friend.
KIRBY — In August 2011, a puppy named “Kirby” went missing from his new home after his owner had died, only to later be found lying on his owner’s grave after travelling many miles to find it.
YUUKI — After a devastating earthquake in Japan, news reporters filmed a mud-splattered spaniel who refused to abandon his post, guarding the injured dog laying beside him. Later, when the two dogs were rescued and a video of them was aired on YouTube, it received 10 million hits, along with such comments as “That dog is a better person than most humans”; “Loyalty is the word to use when describing that dog” and “Truly man’s best friend is a well-deserved title.”
LEAO — When floods and landslides ravaged portions of Rio de Janeiro several years ago, one of the most poignant photos to emerge from the carnage was that of a mixed breed dog named “Leao.” He was lying silently by the fresh grave of his owner. As the news of these fatal landslides spread it was this image of a lonely grief-stricken dog that really put a face on just what kind of a tragedy the country had undergone.
SPOT — While Wayne Giroux was working away at his lawnmower repair shop his dog “Spot” always waited faithfully for his return every day on the same street corner near their home in Lone Oak Texas. Even after Giroux was killed by a drunken idiot in 2010, Spot still continues to wait for him three years later. When asked about Spot’s faithfulness Giroux’s son Paul said, “Spot will ever give up hope that dad will return.”
ZELDA — When he was 12 years old Joshua Reed rescued a little rust-colored dog named Zelda. After she was hit by a car, and from that moment on, they were inseparable. However, three years after rescuing her Joshua was killed in an accident.
Today, his lonesome dog “Zelda” can still be seen constantly roaming up and down the roads near the family’s home. “She’s lost without her boy and she just keeps looking for him,” said Joshua’s mother.
CLARA — After actress Brittany Murphy died suddenly of an apparent heart attack, her Maltese dog “Clara” was visibly devastated. “One of the saddest things is that Clara still looks everywhere for Brittany and can’t find her,” said Brittany’s husband Simon.
THE UNKNOWN STRAY DOG — A heart warming video surfaced in December 2008 which showed extreme heroism in the face of almost certain death after a dog was hit on a freeway, at which point another dog bravely dodged speeding cars in order to drag his severely injured friend off the freeway to safety.
CASH — A German Shepherd named Cash was found roaming the Colorado plains and led searchers to the body of his owner Jake Baysinger, a 25-year-old Colorado man who was reported missing. “Cash” had been guarding Jake for more than six weeks, leaving him starved, emaciated and badly dehydrated. Astonished, authorities later said it was nothing less than a miracle “Cash” had survived the ordeal, and only his faithful resolve had prevented Baysinger’s remains from being ravaged by scavengers.
SQUEAK — In 2002, a 51-year-old farmer named Terry Ford was brutally murdered in Zimbabwe, and when he was found, standing guard over his mutilated body was Ford’s devoted 14-year-old Jack Russell Terrier “Squeak,” who kept people at bay for more an hour, before the family could coax him from his gruesome vigil, after which a family member said, “Squeak was crying when Terry’s body was found, and he’s still crying now.”
To my mind the Creator of all things endowed one of the humblest of his creatures with the ability to demonstrate courage, faithfulness and unconditional love to us, but also as a reminder not to harden our hearts.
