If you have ever lost a pet, you know how devastating that feeling is. It truly feels like a part of you is now missing.
Likewise, when owners pass away and leave their pets behind, the animals also must grieve. I'm reminded of Tommy, the German shepherd who went to church for a funeral, or a Labrador named Hawkeye who laid near the coffin of his military owner.
Even if the dogs aren't bonded as pet and master, they do create personal relationships with those they encounter on a daily basis.
Take, for instance, the recent loss of Margarita Suarez of Merida, Mexico. She did not own any pets of her own, but she was known in the town for her kindness and compassion to all animals.
Her daughter talks of how she would feed at least 20 cats in the neighborhood who had no home, several birds, and most noticeably a pack of stray dogs. She could not afford to adopt them all, but she always made sure that they had something to eat.
When it came time for her funeral, the dogs decided to pay their respects to the woman who had treated them with love and compassion…
Margarita's daughter, Patricia, describes the pack of dogs shocking everyone when they came into the church — seemingly to pay their respects to Margarita.
They recognized these dogs as ones they had seen in the street near Margarita's home. The dogs knew that Margarita would take care of them to the best of her own ability.
The attendants of the funeral as well as the staff agreed to allow the dogs inside the church for the funeral. Though reports say that they initially were playing, as soon as the coffin was brought into the room, the dogs stood still and paid their respects.
The dogs also followed the coffin out as if they were participating in a funeral procession. They didn't leave from near the coffin until it was set to be cremated.
It goes to show how a little bit of kindness was not forgotten or in vain. Margarita was deeply loved.
Please SHARE if you know how much love dogs can give.
