Touching Stories That Prove Dogs Truly Are Man’s Best Friend

 It’s okay to cry, dogs are worth our precious tears

Out of all the pets this life has blessed us with, dogs have most likely taken the top spot for their sheer loyalty, skills (like guarding humans and retrieving things), ability to gauge human emotions (better than any other pet) and, of course, their overwhelming cuteness. Dogs and humans have had a special bond that dates as far back as 329 BCE; they’ve since been by our sides as protectors, friends and faithful companions. Here are just some of the most touching stories we found on the Internet that prove exactly how and why canines are man’s best friend.

Constantine 

In Russia, there was a dog that got into a car accident with his owners. But he was thrown out before the fatal crash that immediately killed one of them and was the only one to survive. Meanwhile, the male owner was rushed to the hospital but died several hours later.

But even after their passing, the dog would come back to the place of the crash, chasing after cars that looked exactly like his owners’ car, everyday for seven years. Locals did their best to care for him and thus named him Constantine—meaning devoted and faithful. Constantine died of old age and was found lying down in the forest close to where he last saw his owners.

A Statue of Fidelity was later built in his memory.

Masha

Masha, a dachshund mix from Siberia, Russia, had been coming to a hospital every day for over two years. Her master had been admitted there for several months but died the following year. Unaware that he had passed, Masha still comes to find him.

A family later tried to adopt Masha but she ran away and found her way back to where they found her. Since then, the hospital staff makes sure she is cared for.

Cathy

Cathy is a rescue dog; she was seized and put in Animal Control after her previous owner was evicted from their apartment.

Thankfully, she was adopted by a family that later wrote a letter, reaching out to her previous owner on CraigsList. It made its round online at the time it was first posted. And just in case you haven’t come across it, the letter reads:

On Feb 9th 2011, you were evicted from an apartment at *** and your old red pit bull was seized by animal control and taken to the kill shelter. She was really skinny and had bad skin infections, and had been bred A LOT. She’d even had a Caesarian, judging by the scar. They said at the kill shelter she was 12 years old. She also had a lopsided face and it looked like there were a few cigarette burns on her head/ears.

I figure you were having a pretty bad time of it, since you were being evicted. I hope things have gotten better for you in the intervening years. Although it’s unlikely you’ll ever see this note, I just wanted you to know that I have your dog and she is doing great.

The AC named her Cathy, for Catherine Street. She was held for cruelty investigation (she was REALLY skinny) then immediately put on the kill list, which is the sort of irony that happens at Animal Care & Control every day. I like old dogs and I loved Cathy’s little lopsided face. A rescue pulled her for me and sent her north.She gained weight and recovered from her skin issues. Her coat shines now and you can’t see the little round cigarette burn marks any more. We spayed her (her hormones were really out of whack from all the litters she had). She has been wonderful with my young daughter, and our other two dogs. And it turns out she loves to swim!

She loves fetch too. If she really was 12 back in 2011, that would make her 15 now but I doubt that as she still will go on long hikes with me, and swim and retrieve balls from the bay until she can barely stand…even though, yes, her face is turning white. She is truly an ambassador for her breed, even people who don’t like pits will stop and pat her as she happily wags her tail. She loves to sleep in sunbeams, and is so happy to go on walks or swims she just wags her tail with every step.

She is sleeping next to me as I type this, grunting with joy. In fact, she sleeps on my bed every night. Your dog is an awesome dog. We love her so much. The past three years we’ve had with her have brought us (and her) so much happiness.

If you do see this, we’d love to know how old she is, and what your name for her was. Also please say a prayer for her, as soon she is going to have mammary surgery to remove some small lumps… unfortunately not spaying a dog and breeding her a lot means she is very likely to get mammary cancer, and Cathy has it. Luckily my vet caught it early, so I am hoping Cathy can spend many more happy years with us. She really is the best dog.

 P.S. you can’t have her back. 

Now here’s a photo of Cathy from three years ago: 

 via mamamia.com.au

We’re sure there are more stories out there, like Constantine’s or Hachiko’s that showcase dogs’ unconditional love for man. So, boop noses with your pupper when you get home, give that doggo an extra pat or hug at night. Show them exactly how much you appreciate their love and loyalty because dogs are more than just pets. They do more than guard our homes or play with the kids; they can bring people together and are friends to the end.