Ecuador Earthquake: Dog Refuses To Leave His Destroyed House

In the face of humanitarian crises such as the one caused by the earthquake in Ecuador, sometimes the drama of pets that died  or lost their homes by this real tragedy is left in the background. And, although the loyalty that dogs have to their owners is known, in extreme situations this condition is usually evidenced with full force. That is why it is not difficult for us to read news that indicates that a dog refuses to leave its house destroyed by the earthquake.

The story of Max, the dog who didn’t want to leave his ruined home

On Facebook, for example, this video of a dog that remains among the rubble of what had been his home in Guayas, one of the provinces most affected by the earthquake , went viral.

Image source: Camilo Cevallos Parra’s Facebook

As his entire human family – made up of three members – had died because of the earthquake, the neighbors of the place wanted to help him. But the animal refused to eat or even drink, and returned to the ruins of its home.

Amidst the misfortune, it can be said that the story had a happy ending, because finally the pet, named Max, was collected by the victims’ relatives and received veterinary assistance.

Another dog refuses to leave his house in ruins: the case of Negro

However, Max’s story is not the only story in which a dog refuses to leave his house destroyed by the earthquake.

Facebook was also the chosen tool for stories like that of Negro, a dog found by a photographer in the rubble of what had been his home in the São Martin de Porres neighborhood, in the Ecuadorian capital, to begin to emerge . This is because, although on a smaller scale, the consequences of the earthquake also affected Quito.

The man tried to get the dog to eat, but the animal refused. Nor did he want to leave the place where his home was. When days later the photographer returned to the place, the animal was still there and, on this second occasion, the dog accepted the food.

In this case, the good news among so much disgrace is that the furry one managed to find its owner. And despite having lost all their material things, they still have each other.

Pets: Other Ecuadorian Earthquake Victims

Although they are not the center of information like humans, many pets died as a result of the earthquake in Ecuador. Others could be rescued and some got lost and wandered around the disaster areas. And there are also those who refuse to leave their destroyed homes.

For this reason, the Regional Canine Training Center (CRAC) has enabled two shelters for animals affected by the catastrophe. The shelters are found in Manta and Pederneiras, two of the cities most affected by the earthquake. There, a group of veterinarians who receive donations that arrive from different places are working voluntarily so that they can help the pets.

Image source: Camilo Cevallos Parra’s Facebook

Among the tasks that CRAC is developing to help pets damaged by the earthquake are :

• Offer the animals veterinary care, food and water, a rare thing to find due to the tragedy.
• Try to locate your owners.
• Find new families who wish to adopt them.

Solidarity presents itself in extreme situations

It is commendable to highlight how, once again, solidarity and love are necessary in order to overcome extreme situations. And for those domestic animals that were also affected by the catastrophe, it’s touching to see how surviving neighbors seek to protect pets that have lost their human families.

We must also not forget the selfless work of rescue teams and volunteers who, in these circumstances, do their best to save a life. It doesn’t matter if it is a person, a dog, a cat or any other animal that needs help.