There is no doubt that dogs are truly incredible creatures. They are loyal, courageous, affectionate, and remarkably intelligent. However, given human nature, it’s possible that some of the stories about dogs may be exaggerated or not entirely accurate. Recently, one such story was brought to public attention.
If you reminisce about the tales from just a few years back, you might remember the story of a dog that reportedly dug a hole in her master’s grave and stayed there, unwilling to leave. This story went viral on social media, sparking a flood of emotional reactions, only to later be debunked. While it is indeed possible for dogs to display profound attachment to their owners, this particular account was not as it seemed.
Upon closer examination, it was revealed that the dog had no prior connection to the deceased person. The truth was that the dog had burrowed into the grave, seeking warmth in the cold Serbian weather to give birth. The original photo, posted on January 10th, 2015, amassed nearly 21,000 shares. The caption read, “A dog dug a hole in the tomb of its owner who has just died so that he could be close to the one he loves most. Nothing in the world can compare with the love and loyalty of a dog for its owner.” However, this wasn’t the complete story.
Post Claiming Dog Had Slept On Her Master’s Grave Proven False
The same picture later resurfaced, shared by a German Facebook group. The accompanying description read, “Sometimes you just want to cry and pull the blanket over your head. These pictures have so much symbolic character and stand for the suffering and misery of street animals in Serbia. Abandoned, exposed, hungry and pregnant, this dog had no other choice but to dig a hole under a gravestone and give birth there.
The small hole was their only shield against the cold nights and the burning sun during the day. The situation was dire as rain would flood the hole, and food was scarce. When discovered, this hardship would be over for her puppies. An appeal was issued to help the mother and her newborn puppies to ensure their safety and provide basic needs such as shelter, vaccinations, and food.”
A Job Well Done By The Rescuer
The narrative took a positive turn when Vesna Mihajloski, an animal rescuer, found the dogs. Vesna later posted on Facebook, “All photos so far from our little family of the cemetery! Little Boomer has had the hardest hit by an unknown virus. He has fought for his life and won! This is why we are incredibly proud of him! He is now almost back to the old, there are still some physical problems such as walking.”
Mihajloski went above and beyond to rescue the mother dog and her puppies from their dire situation and brought them to a safe shelter. The mother dog seemed grateful for the warm and secure environment provided for her pups. While the reality differed from the viral story, both narratives are heartfelt and evoke powerful emotions. After all, who doesn’t love a story with dogs at its heart?
Sources
- “Dog Creates A Huge Hole Under Grave, But It’s Not For Any Deceased Owner.” Iheart Dogs. Dee Michaels
- “Fact Check: Is this Viral Photo of a Dog Digging a Hole in its Owner’s Grave Real?.” News 18. June 19, 2019.