After Brazil flooding, loyalty to the dead
January 17th, 2011
06:10 PM ET

After Brazil flooding, loyalty to the dead

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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Filed under: Animals • Brazil • Weather
soundoff (563 Responses)
  1. Jody D

    What dedication and commitment dogs have! We as people need to learn from them. Love with all you have because you never know when they may be gone. Dogs love no matter what. I hope that dog gets a good home.

    January 18, 2011 at 10:26 am | Report abuse |
  2. Marlina Kinser

    I'd love to have this dog if he needs a forever home.

    January 18, 2011 at 10:27 am | Report abuse |
  3. Cody

    Heartbreaking..

    January 18, 2011 at 10:28 am | Report abuse |
  4. sparky

    Awesome place to host the olympics!

    January 18, 2011 at 10:28 am | Report abuse |
    • Baci

      Yeah, Louisiana couldn't be better (Metrodome perhaps?)...

      January 18, 2011 at 11:16 am | Report abuse |
  5. New Yorker

    Amazing..I cried after i read this.. this is why i love my dog

    January 18, 2011 at 10:29 am | Report abuse |
  6. Maverick

    ...If it taaaakes forever.... I willll waiiiiit for youuuuu

    January 18, 2011 at 10:29 am | Report abuse |
  7. RD

    Pretty hard to beat the unconditional love, devotion and loyalty of dogs - they're the greatest creatures on earth.

    January 18, 2011 at 10:29 am | Report abuse |
  8. Suz

    Brings me to tears.

    January 18, 2011 at 10:46 am | Report abuse |
  9. Everyman

    HATCHI !

    January 18, 2011 at 10:46 am | Report abuse |
  10. John

    A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself. ~Josh Billings

    January 18, 2011 at 10:48 am | Report abuse |
  11. taffd

    I just go crazy when people say that animals don't have feelings, or that they can't "love". Just go to the video of the reunion of Christian the lion with his former owners if you want proof.

    January 18, 2011 at 10:50 am | Report abuse |
    • Sarah

      I looked that up b/c you mentioned it – amazing! It gave me goosebumps – he missed them.

      January 18, 2011 at 9:33 pm | Report abuse |
  12. JoAnn White

    Amazing....that the poor pup lost his owner. She must have cared deeply for him for him to show such loyalty to her. We can learn much from our canine friends.

    January 18, 2011 at 10:56 am | Report abuse |
  13. Kuwait_999

    I wish I could Loyal to the prince of peace Jesus... as this dog loyal to her owner!

    January 18, 2011 at 10:57 am | Report abuse |
  14. Kailas Clavette

    This picture's a farce, just sayin`. I for one own a dog, but to say that animals are more special compared to that of humans is just stupid. Of course, they have feelings and whatnot, but the feelings they witness are underdeveloped and not as complex as what us humans feel. We have completely different mindsets.

    January 18, 2011 at 11:01 am | Report abuse |
  15. Name*Aline scheck

    Sad. Let's help pl

    January 18, 2011 at 11:03 am | Report abuse |
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