In the city of Tolyatti, Russia, is tribute to the faithfulness of a German Shepherd Dog who never forgot his owners.

“Verny” (meaning “Faithful”), so named by residents, was the only survivor of a car crashed that killed his owners. Until his own death, the dog lived on the shoulders of the South highway through all kinds of weather, ever hopeful that his people would return to him.  Concerned dog lovers tried to take him home, but he always he returned to his spot. More than once, a booth had been built for Verny right next to the road, but he ignored it. What he did accept was food, and this was how he lived for seven years.

Upon his passing, citizens remembered him with a shield inscribed with the words, “To the Dog, who has taught us love and devotion.”  Constantly being blown away by the wind, the Tolyatti community raised the funds to put a bronze monument in its place. Sculptor, Oleg Klyuyev, created the memorial that was installed in 2003 at the intersection of the Southern Highway and Lev Yashin street. Klyuyev fashioned Verny’s image to appear as if his head is turning his head for each car passing by, hoping to see his dead owners once again.

Image found on Pinterest and happily credited upon receipt of information