A hero was being buried – a beloved commander, father, and man who gave his life for his homeland. That day, everyone gathered at the cemetery: relatives, friends, comrades, brothers-in-arms. Everyone felt that with his passing, an entire era had ended, a piece of the heart of all who knew him was gone.
The coffin was covered with flowers – bright, yet at that moment they seemed colorless. The air was heavy with grief, and no one tried to hold back their tears. Men sobbed, women wept, unable to fully grasp what had happened. Over everything hung a crushing silence.
But suddenly that silence was pierced by a long, sorrowful bark. People turned around. Slowly, a German shepherd emerged from the crowd – the officer’s faithful friend. He walked slowly, heavily. The dog stopped at the coffin, looked at it, and with his last strength leapt onto the lid.
He scratched the wood with his paws, whimpered, his eyes full of pain and despair. It seemed as if he understood everything and could not accept it. Some men stepped forward to remove him, but at that moment the dog began to act strangely. He barked loudly, stubbornly stomped on the lid, as if trying to say something. Everyone stood in bewilderment.
Then the dog suddenly fell silent. He lay down on the coffin and did not move again.
The officer’s wife came closer. She was certain the dog would listen to her, but suddenly the widow cried out:
— Oh my God!
People rushed to her screams and saw something terrible
— He’s not breathing!.. He followed him!
The widow fell to her knees and wept loudly, torn apart by grief.
The crowd froze. Some covered their faces with their hands, others bit their lips, trying to hold back sobs. It became clear: the dog had followed his master, unable to bear the separation.
That scene shook everyone to the core. No one expected that even death could not part them. By decision of the family and comrades, the German shepherd was buried together with the officer – at his feet.
And then everyone understood: loyalty can be stronger than life and death.