by 
Animals are often more emotionally intelligent than we give them credit for. Pets form real loving bonds with their owners, to the point where they are really like family.
So when a person dies, it can really affect their pet. Dogs often seem to understand that their loved ones have passed away, and even grieve for them at their gravesides.
Like one dog, who recently refused to leave his owner’s side at her funeral.
After Maria Isabel Benites Chamba, a 95-year-old woman from Ecuador, passed away last month, a service was held at local funeral home Funeraria Santa Rosa.
Her family and friends gathered to say goodbye — and so, too, did her tiny faithful dog, Bumer.
And even though his owner was gone, Bumer still insisted on being by her side til the end: he reportedly stayed right by the casket throughout the whole service.
“You could see the loyalty and affection that existed between her and her dog,” a funeral home spokesperson told The Dodo. “He was always there with his owner.”
Everyone in attendance was moved, and inspired, by the dog’s unending loyalty and love for his late owner.
“What a good example for human beings,” they funeral home wrote on Facebook.
And as the service ended and it was time to bring Maria to her final resting place, Bumer still insisted on being by her side.
The casket was placed in a hearse as the family prepared for a funeral procession to the cemetery. Bumer immediately hopped into the car, eager to “accompany her to her last resting place.”
“He circled the hearse before hopping aboard as if to say, ‘I want to go and say goodbye to my mom,’” the spokesperson told The Dodo. “A tremendous example of loyalty.”
The mourners decided to let Bumer take the ride by her side. Video shows the dog peacefully sitting by the casket as the procession moves along, a place of honor in this final mourning ritual.
The heartbreaking sight of the dog’s grief moved people online, who were inspired by such loyalty displayed by a pet.
“[Animals] are the most faithful beings,” one commenter wrote. “So sad to see that picture.”
“They are the most loyal and faithful beings that can exist in earthly life,” another commented.”
We’re sure Maria’s family members were also moved. Seeing a pet grieve at a funeral can be a bittersweet reminder of how loving the deceased person was.
Thankfully, Bumer is now in the care of Maria’s family, according to The Dodo. We’re sure the dog will pay many visits to his old friend’s gravesite.
What a sad, sweet story. It’s a reminder of how much our pets really love us and will miss us when we are gone.
Share this story if you love dogs.
