Dog 'Capitán' Sleeps At Owner's Grave

Outline
Social media message that includes a photograph of a dog sleeping on a grave, claims that the picture depicts a German Shepherd named Capitán who has slept by the grave of his owner Miguel Guzmán since the man died in 2006.

Brief Analysis
The story of Capitán is true and well documented. However, the picture that travels with this version of the message does not show Capitán or his owner's grave, but rather another - currently unidentified - dog in another cemetery.

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Last updated: January 14, 2013
First published: January 14, 2013
Article written by Brett M. Christensen
About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer

Example

For the past 6 years, a German shepherd called Capitán has slept next to the grave of his owner every night at 6pm. His owner, Miguel Guzmán died in 2006. Capitán, the dog, disappeared while the family attended the funeral services. A week later relatives of Guzmán were visiting the cemetery when they were astounded to find the dog next to the owner’s grave. The cemetery director says that the dog comes around each night at 6pm, and has done so for the past 6 years.

Detailed Analysis

Photo credit: La Voz

Capitán at the cemetery

This message, which is moving around via social media posts, the blogosphere and email, tells the story of Capitán, a German Shepherd who has slept by his owner's grave every night since the man died in 2006. According to the message Capitán disappeared from his home after his owner died but was later discovered by family members at the cemetery beside his owner's grave. The message includes a photograph of a dog sleeping on a grave.

The story of Capitán is true, although the picture with the message does not depict Capitán, but rather another dog in another cemetery. A report about Capitán on the Dogheirs website notes:

For six years, a dog named Capitán has stayed by his owner's graveside in Villa Carlos Paz Cordoba, Argentina. Every day at 6pm, he lays by Miguel Guzmán's headstone, on faithful vigil.

The dog's remarkable story of loyalty began on March 24, 2006, when Miguel, who was Capitán's owner, passed away. As soon as Capitán realized Miguel was no longer at home, he left to search for him and miraculously managed to find Miguel's grave in the nearby cemetery. Since then, the dog has stayed by his deceased owner's side and refuses to return home.

Capitán is reportedly looked after by staff at the cemetery. Although he has returned to his previous home for visits, he always comes back to the cemetery to sleep by the grave of his owner.

This is certainly a remarkable story. But, what of the dog in the above picture? This dog is clearly not a German Shepherd and bears no resemblance to pictures of Capitán included in various news reports about him (see picture on right). And the cemetery shown in the news report photographs does not appear to be the same cemetery as the one shown in the above image. The origins of the above photograph are currently unclear.

References
Loyal dog ran away from home to find his dead master's grave - and has stayed by its side for six years
Faithful dog refuses to leave his owner's graveside for six years
Loyal Dog, Capitán, Sits By Owner's Grave For Six Years

Last updated: January 14, 2013
First published: January 14, 2013
Article written by Brett M. Christensen
About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer