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    The Love of a Dog in Brazil

    By William K. Wolfrum on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 8:01am | World Affairs

    caramelo- a dog's love

    A story of a dog’s dedication to its family, following their deaths last week in Brazil. Translated from Fohla.com:

    The former street-dog Caramelo helped rescue the bodies of its owners, whose were killed during last week’s rains, then did not want to leave the makeshift grave of his owner.

    It lived with its owner, Cristina Cesário Maria Santana, and three other people in a house of the Caleme quarter, one of the most devastated in Teresópolis. The house was destroyed and the family died. The dog escaped, but dug for them until finding them.

    When the rescue teams arrived, Caramelo guided them to the bodies. Caramelo was rescued, but did not want to leave the grave of its owner and now he is very depressed and needy.

    The deaths due to the rains are a true tragedy, but this is more or less an annual occurrence in Brazil, where millions live in sub-standard housing with scant building regulations. When the rains come every year at this time of year, people die as a result. This year, the count is at more than 600 lost lives.

    With the strongest economy in its history, and two major international events (The 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics) coming to the nation, it’s time for Brazil to protect its citizens with the same passion and dedication as Caramelo. Because the rain will always come, but the deaths can be prevented.

    Update: Caramelo has a new home.

    –WKW

    Crossposted at William K. Wolfrum Chronicles

    Topics: 
    World Affairs

    Comments

    This story exemplifies the inexplicable bond between animals and humans. I would adopt Caramelo if I could. My heart breaks for Caramelo, the owners who perished, and for all of thos affected by these continuing disasters.

    L.B.


    by Laura (not verified) on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 2:27pm

    Brazil is another example of a global economy that, like China and India, makes me very skeptical.  I'm not denying the productive power of its people, some of its amazing accomplishments like achieving energy independence and, of course, its vast, vast natural resources.  But when you have so many living in shanty towns.

    It brings to mind the China education story that's been floating around over the past month.  Yes, their elite students are better at math than our average students.  But our average students are on a different plane entirely than the average in China.  Just looking at literacy rates would tell you that.  That's not to deny China's accomplishments but the distribution of wealth and education throughout a society is more important than the performance of the very best outliers.


    by Michael Maiello on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 2:53pm

    Can we get the update in English


    by B.J. (not verified) on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 7:21pm

    Bless little Caramelo. What a heartbreaking story. But it does sound like there is a happy ending with a new home and I would imagine that the new guardians are very loving people and Caramelo will be showered with love.

    Here is the translation from the article link (translation from http://translation2.paralink.com/):

    Dog that was veiling tomb of the lady in Teresópolis is adopted

    The dog Caramel, which passed days beside the tomb of the lady, Cristina Maria Cesário Santana, killed as a result of the strong rains that reached the Mountain Region of the Rio in last week, gained a new home in this Sunday. Adopted by a family of the Bar of the Whistler, the cãozinho is not the only one to hope for the owner himself after his death.

    According to the vet Andrea Lambert, member of the Special Commission of Animal Protection of the Legislative Assembly of the Rio of January (Alerj) who rescued Caramel and other animals that were left without home because of the rain, histories so are very common. – The domestic animal has great loyalty–, explains. – The owner finishes being the reference for everything.

    In Edinburgh, Scotland, the Skye Terrier Greyfriars Bobby came gaining a statue after spending 14 years guarding the tomb of his owner, up to his death itself in 14 of January of 1872. Similar history that of the movie Always to his side (2009), played the lead role by Richard Gere, in which the dog Hachiko spends years went always to the same time-table to a train station to hope for the owner who died.

    However, reminds Andrea, not all the animals that lost the home and the owner because of the rains in the Mountain Region were as lucky as Caramelo. Those who will be interested in the adoption can get in touch with the vet for the telephone (21) 9632 8115 or for the email [email protected].


    by emerson on Mon, 01/17/2011 - 8:46pm

    Months ago, I posted  on TPM ..."Lock your wife and your dog in the trunk of your car. Wait an hour and open the trunk.  Which of the two will happily kiss you upon their release?"


    by chucktrotter on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 12:48am