Dog Disappears and Walks to Cemetery Every Day. Then Family Figures out Why

Zozo the dog was adopted as a puppy by Ismail Öztürk of Ordu, Turkey. Ismail loved her very much, and the two were inseparable for the short 1 1/2 years they spent together.

Unfortunately, Ismail, passed away in 2014. Shortly before then, Zozo moved to live with her owner’s son, Zafer Öztürk, who said, “My father loved Zozo.”

As humans, we’re able to prepare for losing a loved one. Even if we’re not ready, we at least understand what has happened.

For dogs, a person is there, then suddenly gone. It’s as if they’ve been abandoned overnight, and there’s nothing they can do but mourn.

Ismail was buried near the family home alongside other deceased members of the Öztürks. Zafer said he would visit his father’s resting place regularly, and occasionally, Zozo would join him.

The dog seemed to know right where her first owner was kept. Zozo has surprised his new owner at times, who said, “When I came to the grave a few times I saw Zozo lying on the grave.”

Sometimes, Zozo will even take it upon herself to go visit Ismail on her own. Her new family will look around for her, only to find that she’s out in the cemetery.

It is as if Zozo is waiting for her owner to pop out at any moment. Now, Zafer expects company every time he goes to pay his respects to his father.

Only a mound of dirt separates Zozo from the man who originally adopted her. The bond shows just how much of an impact Ismail had on Zozo’s life.

While the story is a sad one, it shows just how powerful the human-dog relationship can be. Even after her owner died, Zozo is still faithful and longing for his attention.

We’re all very sad when our dogs die, but we know that it’s probably coming. For our dogs, however, death comes without warning, and it’s often hard for them to understand exactly what happened to their loving owner.