Six years after its owner died, an extraordinarily committed dog has continued to express its devotion by maintaining watch over his grave.
Capitan, a German shepherd, is said to have escaped when its owner, Miguel Guzman, died in 2006. The Guzman family discovered the dog near his grave in central Argentina a week later.
Capitan was adopted by Miguel Guzman in 2005 as a gift for his teenage son, Damian. Capitan has continued to keep vigil at Miguel’s grave for the past six years. The family says the dog doesn’t leave the property too often.
“We searched for him, but he had vanished,” Veronica Guzman, his widow, told LaVoz.com. “We assumed he was hit by a car and died.”
‘We returned to the cemetery the next Sunday, and Damian recognized his pet. Capitan approached us, barking and screaming as though he were in pain.”
Veronica says the family never brought Capitan to the cemetery before he was discovered there, which further complicates the unique circumstances.
“It’s a mystery how he found the place,” she remarked.
Hector Baccega, the cemetery’s director, says he and his crew have began feeding and caring for Capitan.
“He came here one day on his own and started wandering around the cemetery until he eventually found his master’s tomb,” Baccega explained.
“During the day, he takes a walk around the cemetery but always returns to the grave.” And every day at six o’clock sharp, he lays down on top of the grave and spends the night there.”
The Guzman family, however, has not abandoned Capitan. Damian says that the family has attempted numerous times to bring Capitan home, but he always returns to the cemetery on his own.
“I believe he’ll be there until he dies as well.” “He’s looking after my father,” he explained.
