1. Homeless Man and his Friends: A true story

     There is a homeless man in Rio do Sul in south Brazil who often sacrifices his own food to feed the stray dogs around him. One time he suddenly required emergency treatment, his kindness came back to him like a boomerang, for the faithful dogs he had been feeding made sure he wasn’t alone.

 

     The dogs’ incredible loyalty was witnessed by nurse Cris Mamprim and her colleagues. The homeless man, known as César, arrived at the emergency room of the hospital at about 3 A.M. to seek treatment and medication for a pre-existing health condition he had been battling. It was his first time at the hospital for treatment, as he normally goes to another health facility in town. Thus, Mamprim and her colleagues did not know about César’s condition, nor his background.

     But not before long, they realised that he had a gang of dogs accompanying him. Four concerned dogs had showed up at the entrance of the hospital and were waiting for César. They were concerned about their homeless master, who the nurses soon learned had been for some time forgoing his own meals to feed the dogs.

     Mamprim snapped a photo of the touching scene and later posted it on Facebook, saying

“I came across this today. At the hospital where I work, at 3 A.M. while their master (who lives on the street) was being treated, his companions waited at the door.” A simple person, without luxury, who depends on help to overcome the hunger, the cold, the pain, the evils of the world, has by his side the best companions, and the exchange is reciprocal.

     An exchange of love, affection, warmth and understanding. A person who confessed to us that he stops eating to feed them. Mamprim continued.

     Speaking to The Dodo, Mamprim said, “They are all well taken care of and chubby".

 

     The faithful canines were anxiously anticipating César’s safe return. Fortunately, the animals reunited with their owner in no time.

     Not wanting to keep César and his companions apart, the staff let the dogs inside after giving the him the medication he needed. They even offered some food to César. “Believe me, he ate some and saved a bit to give the dogs later." Mamprim recalled.

     An hour later, César left the hospital with the four dogs trailing behind, happily wagging their tails.

     “I do not know what his life is like, or why he’s on the street, but I admire the respect and love he has for his little friends.” Mamprim concluded. “Seeing them like this, waiting at the door, just shows how much they are well cared for and loved.

     Even though César has little material possessions and likely has no kin to turn to, he is never alone because he has his warm and loving companions.