Wolf-dog openly 'sobs' at grave of owner's grandma

[Lorenzo]

In a touching example of animal devotion, a wolf-dog appears to be sobbing at his master's grandmother's grave. Named Wiley, the wolf-dog was fond of it's owner's late grandmother Gladys. The watery-eyed dog is seen in a viral video as he puffs his cheeks in and out in emulation of a human sobbing, and is sure to bring a tear to any animal lover.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The heart-breaking video was posted to YouTube earlier this month by user SarahVarley13. The family gathers around him the dog, his handler saying "We miss her too," as she comforts the dog.

The video has garnered some 362,000 views since going online. The video has also been posted to the Web site of the Lockwood Animal Rescue Center, a Ventura County, California, shelter that specializes in the care of wolf-dogs and horses. The LARC Web site describes Gladys as "a family member, and a supporter" of the animal rescue center.

"She will be forever missed, especially by Wiley," the site reads.

Sarahvarley13 writes under the video that Wiley is one of a number of "service wolves" that help veterans returning from war deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, providing therapy and care through LARC and a program called Warriors and Wolves.

"I am not a vet so I can't say if he's reverse sneezing as some of you are stating," Sarahvarley13 says, responding to queries.

"I can tell you that he has never done that before and hasn't done it since. I may be anthropomorphizing his actions but its how I'm choosing to deal with loss .

"Also, for those stating he is dying, I promise he's not. We have a veterinarian on staff at the sanctuary and Wiley is just fine."

http://www.catholic.org/hf/family/story.php?id=50718

[Lorenzo]

Luoy pod intawon...

[islander]

"I can tell you that he has never done that before and hasn't done it since. I may be anthropomorphizing his actions but its how I'm choosing to deal with loss .

go, girl, go.  you are not anthropomorphizing.  i've been with dogs, real dogs, not human dogs, most of my life and i know they mourn just as gravely as humans.  i had a dog who refused to eat for a week because a nephew, with whom the dog was close, had left the house for good.  it took me that long to assure the dog that all is fine by patting him and talking to him every chance i got.