When it comes to the bond between humans and dogs, the phrase ‘man’s best friend’ often comes to mind. The loyalty that dogs show is undeniable and sometimes it extends even beyond the passing of their owners. A heart-wrenching image of a dog patiently waiting at his late owner’s hospital bed has attracted numerous potential adopters.
The sad puppy had finally found a home, only to have his father succumb to cancer a year later. Unaware of his father’s demise, Moose remained patient and steadfast, faithfully awaiting his owner’s return. A touching moment captured in a photograph, its emotional impact spread like wildfire online. Despite the fact that his beloved human will never come back, Moose continues to hope for a miracle.
The volunteers at Eleventh Hour Rescue were devastated, and they wasted no time in bringing Moose to their shelter. Everyone at the shelter adored Moose and worked tirelessly to find him a new family as soon as possible. NorthStar Pet Rescue and Eleventh Hour Rescue both shared the photo on Facebook, hoping it would help attract potential adopters for Moose. With just one look at this picture, it’s evident what a loyal and loving pup he is. The caption read, “He’s a naturally sweet and happy boy. He just needs some help to heal his heart. Let’s mend this broken heart together.”
Moose ended up at a local pet rescue in Rockaway Township, New Jersey. The rescue shared his photo and story, hoping to find Moose a forever home for the remaining years of his life. They wrote, “Moose patiently sat next to his dad’s hospital bed, waiting for him to return, unaware that ‘Dad’ had passed away. Moose has now been returned to our friends at Eleventh Hour Rescue, and he’s taking the loss of his dad pretty hard.” The rescue emphasized that Moose is a “naturally sweet and happy boy” who just needs a little help to heal his heart. Although Moose is okay with other dogs, he truly adores people. The rescue mentioned, “He would do best in a home where he isn’t left alone all day long, as he misses his people too much.” After the photo went viral, the rescue received several applications from people interested in becoming Moose’s new forever family. Just three days later, Eleventh Hour Rescue announced that Moose had been adopted by his forever family. Moose has finally found his permanent home thanks to the power of social media.
Saying goodbye to a pet is never easy, and it’s no different when the circumstances are reversed. It’s difficult to determine whether or not dogs “grieve” in the same way humans do since they can’t express their emotions verbally. However, it’s evident that they feel the impact of their companions’ deaths. Pet owners often notice changes in their dogs’ behavior, such as sadness, anxiety, clinginess, disinterest, or lethargy, when a companion is no longer present. Sometimes, dogs make their grief painfully clear, which can be heartbreaking to witness.
