In early July, John Stewart of Nevada County, California went missing. The man’s old age triggered medical issues such as memory loss.
After it got reported that John was missing, local authorities immediately went to work to look for the man. However, the search ended tragically as the man’s dead body was found in a pond not far from his house.
According to the Nevada County Sheriff’s office, John’s loyal dog, Rico, was right beside the edge of the water. It was a heartbreaking scene because the dog never left his owner’s side during his last days.
In an informative Facebook post, the sheriff’s office shared their experience when retrieving the man’s corpse. They said that the dog made it difficult for them to recover the body. This is because Rico did not allow the team of rescuers to go near John’s dead body.
But the rescuers knew that the dog’s reaction was normal. For them, it was a moving and meaningful response from Rico, who loved John very much. The rescuers likewise mentioned that the dog even followed the ambulance as they transported the man’s corpse.
Since no one from John’s immediate family wants to adopt the dog, Rico found himself at a local animal shelter. This is the standard setup to allow a dog to have a chance at adoption.
At the shelter, the volunteers noticed that the dog is aloof with other dogs. However, they are giving Rico enough time to grieve because this is part of the healing process.
Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office has yet to confirm John’s cause of death. However, they believe that his deteriorating health and mental stability contributed to the same. In a statement, the sheriff’s office said they would conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause of John’s death.
Dog Stays By Man’s Body For Hours After He Passes Away #animalhealth #healthcare pic.twitter.com/oR4JnqXUS6
— Olivia Watson (@IamwatsonOlivia) July 23, 2021
Credits to Olivia Watson.