As the death toll from devastating flooding in Brazil continues to rise, a single picture drives home the sense of loss.
Leao, a medium-sized brown mutt, lies next to the grave of her owner, Cristina Maria Cesario Santana, who died in the catastrophic landslides caused by heavy rain. This AFP/Getty picture was taken on Saturday, the second consecutive day that the dog refused to leave the woman's grave at the cemetery in Teresopolis, near Rio de Janiero.
Brazilians are bracing for more rain, fearing more landslides after waves of muddy water swallowed towns in the country's worst flood disaster on record.
At least 655 deaths were reported in a mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro state, northeast of the city of Rio.
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A modern day version of Greyfriars Bobby. Tell me that Dogs don't have a heart and soul. Michael Vick can go to..........!
I was thinking just the same thing.
he sure should!!
absolutely
There is no one in that grave. It is the pile of dirt from the last hole dug by the backhoe. Someone stuck a cross in the pile of dirt and snapped the pic. Look at the piles to the right... no markers. look in the photo to the opposite side of the pile of dirt – the direction the dog is facing... no more holes. I hate it when people do crap like this... what a farce
Look again, dope. There is another grave in the upper middle of the photo that has flowers on it.
Not much of a detective are you? The holes are dug by a machine, in a straight line. This may be the first hole dug and filled in, then they probably stopped with burying the dead with the dog hanging around. You can see all the dirt piles are off to the sides of the other holes, none are directly in front. This is a great story, don't post stupid stuff to detract from it!
Dogs can follow scents for miles, so this one probably could smell his owner's scent. Humans are so skeptical about everything. Everything has to have an angle or a ulterior motive. Dogs and cats just accept. Their loyalty can kill them, but they'd rather die than be disloyal. As far as the posts by people who don't trust people who don't like animals, that's pretty narrow thinking. I was attached by a bull dog as a child and chewed up pretty badly. It took me years to not be afraid of dogs. You have to want to.
Evidence of a sentient being mourning the loss of a loved one. Next time you refer to a being as an "animal," remember that humans are animals too.
Humans are not the only beings on this planet that can feel love, loss, joy and pain.
Sad but also beautiful story.
I'd adopt that dog if only I knew how. My 15 year old golden retriever passed away recently and I would love to give this sad dog a happy home.
Angie, your thoughts and heart are in the right place. Adopt a dog locally from your local shelter or Pet Finders, that way you honor your dog that died, and in honor of this one and pray that somebody in Brazil, amidst the chaos they are still facing, takes pity on that poor dog and takes it in.
Please try! Call Oprah, call Ellen, call the international SPCA, call Cesar Millan.
Trying to bring pets from overseas requires long waiting periods at customs. They have to check for various diseases and such. In the meantime the dog might be locked up in a holding facility with any number of other animals for 6 months or more. I suggest you adopt from your local shelter.
Look on the internet for Pet Finders and there should be local listings that foster abused and homeless animals. That is where I got mine and she is so sweet.
I just read this morning the pup was adopted by a family in Rio. But he ended up escaping and now he is lost in the big city...
Just to explain, "Leao"(leão) means Lion, the animal.
such an human emotion, that was very touching from a dog showing such felling for a lost love one.
This heartbreaking scene is what I remind myself of everytime a pet of mine dies. They live shorter lives than us because they can't understand our deaths. As sad as it is to lose a pet at least we can understand. This is so sad to me.
Reminds me of this: http://progressiveboink.com/justin/Futurama/futurama-bark30.jpg
The only time I ever cried over a cartoon.
WOW...Dogs are GREAT!!!! What a wonderful / sad story! Humans could learn from this. Please support the animal shelters. I have adopted 3 dogs and they were ALL wonderful, loyal, loving dogs. God Bless This Dog!
TO JEN
I DON'T LIKE WHEN PEOPLE SHOVE THEIR KIDS AT ME BUT I DON'T HATE THEM AND DON'T KNOCK PEOPLE WHO DO – SOME PEOPLE LIKE CHICKEN SOME LIKE FISH WE ARE NOT ALL ALIKE I WOULDN'T HURT ANYONE EXCEPT IF THEY WERE HURTING AN ANIMAL ESPECIALLY A DOG OR A HUMAN – YOU I WOULD LET ROT IN HELL YOU HAVE NO COMPASSION OR FEELING THAT YOU WOULD SAY SUCH ROTTEN THINGS ABOUT PEOPLE WHO "CARE" AND "LOVE" THEIR ANUMALS- OH BUT I BET YOU DONT YOU ARE A LONELY LOSER!
I feel bad for the dog.. wonder if someone will give it a great home as it deserves.
We are not Human but Humanimals.
Do not get fooled by the picture. This is just a Photo Op by CNN reporter purposely taken for Humanimals Debate.
a fake photo t that... there is no one in that grave. It is the pile of dirt from the last hole dug by the backhoe. Someone stuck a cross in the pile of dirt and snapped the pic. Look at the piles to the right... no markers. look in the photo to the opposite side of the pile of dirt – the direction the dog is facing... no more holes. I hate it when people do crap like this... what a farce
If there was any way to get the dog to me, I would love to adopt it.
You've GOT to be my daughter in Norman. Let me know.
I'm sorry to say but you're a idiot, this dog was rescued
and adopted, it took more than 1 person to take this dog
out of this grave, he cried when people tried, the 305 in
the cross is the number of victim Maria Cristina Cesario
Santana , the owner, she and other 3 people died and
Leao the dog help the firefighter to recover the bodies.
If you have watched , Brazils national television, you
would be able to see the dog, not wanting to leave
it's owner.
Besides, lets get real amonsgt all this tragedy, who would
care for faking a dog in a grave, only a person like you
would think you something like that.I'm sorry for you.
Also for you to know, there are thousands of people, helping
humans and animals at this moment.Amen.
I'm sorry this email was not ment to you but sent by
mistake, was to someone called Peter, that said the
photo was fake, it's not, the ones who have follow
the story , know that, anyway, he is not adopted and
well.
Best