A dog’s loyalty doesn’t end when his owner dies.
Capitan, a black Alsatian, can be regarded as a modern-day Hachiko. Capitan is from Argentina and owned by Miguel Guzman. Miguel bought Capitan as a present to his son Damian.
Unfortunately, Miguel passed away in 2006 when Capitan was about four years old.
Without the family’s knowledge, Capitan disappeared. The family tried to look for him, but it was unsuccessful. They thought that Capitan had run away and found a new home, or worse, killed.
However, in one of their visits to the cemetery in 2007, they saw Capitan at the grave. According to the cemetery workers, he had been visiting the cemetery regularly at night and sleep by his owner’s grave. Capitan would be seen to be at Miguel’s grave by six in the evening and would stay there all night.
Seeing Capitan at Miguel’s grave is a mystery for the family. Capitan disappeared after Miguel’s funeral, and the family didn’t bring him to the cemetery. Amazingly, Capitan has found Miguel’s grave.
Cemetery workers would see Capitan walking around the cemetery, but when it starts to get dark, Capitan would go to Miguel’s grave and stay there for the rest of the night.
Damian, Miguel’s son, tried to bring Capitan home several times, but he would always go back to Miguel’s grave.
Capitan was diagnosed with kidney failure four years before he passed away. Doctors said that letting Capitan undergo medical surgery would make his condition worse. He might die during operation due to old age. With that, the family just decided to let him live his remaining years at the cemetery. Cristian Stempels, Capitan’s attending veterinarian, took care of Capitan by providing him special diet and medications.
Capitan continued to visit Miguel’s grave for 11 years. He died beside Miguel’s grave. He was 15 years old when he passed away.
Capitan was buried the same day he died.
The municipality of Carlos Paz is thinking of a way to remember Capitan’s legacy.
Here is Capitan sitting beside Miguel’s grave:
Photo courtesy of Daily Mail