It can be easy for those who haven't had the joy of owning a dog to write them off as slobbering, overly excitable maniacs who are too dumb to have a meaningful connection with anyone - but when you've spent enough time with one, you'll know that just isn't true. Man's best friend has that nickname for a reason, as they time and time again show their dedication to those that treat them well.
Any animal can become dangerous or antisocial if violence and mistreatment is all that they've known, but as we have seen before, even these poor creatures can turn their lives around given the right circumstances.
A recent example of this was shared with the world by a Brazilian woman called Cris Mamprim, who came across a group of dogs with absolute loyalty to one man. Cris, a nurse, shared a heartwarming story of one of her patients this week, after he came into the emergency room for help with a pre-existing health condition.
On Sunday, Cris was working the night shift at Hospital Regional Alto Vale in Rio do Sul, Brazil, when the man in question, César, arrived at around 3 am for help. After Cris and her other colleagues sent him to the relevant department, they noticed a strange conglomeration. At the entrance of the hospital was a group of stray dogs, who were patiently waiting for his return.
As she noted in an interview with The Dodo, these dogs looked to be in good health, and were much better fed than stray animals. César later revealed that not only does he feed all of these dogs, but that sometimes he doesn't eat so that he can share his food with them. Having heard the story and witnessed the dogs waiting for him, she took to Facebook to share the tale. She wrote:
"A simple person, without luxury, who depends on help to overcome the hunger, the cold, the pain, the evils of the world, has by his side the best companions, and the exchange is reciprocal.
"They are all well taken care of and chubby. Seeing them like this, waiting at the door, just shows how well they are cared for and loved."
The dogs refused to leave until César returned, patiently settling at the doorway until he was ready to join them again. Thankfully, the hospital staff were accommodating, allowing them to all stay inside the hospital - and even get a little food from their human friend. "Believe me, he ate some and saved a bit to give the dogs later," Mamprim said.
After an hour or so spent at the hospital, César was safely discharged, and allowed to join his canine friends.
"He has the best companions with him," Cris wrote. "I do not know what his life is like, or why he's on the street, but I admire the respect and love he has for his little animals [...] If only everyone were like this."
