Dog Waits At Gate For 2 Months For COVID Owner To Return Home From Hospital

Story By: Sara Zhivkova, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency:  Newsflash

This loyal dog has been waiting at the front gate of his house for two months hoping for his sick owner to return home.

Marco Maiolani, 55, has been hospitalised for COVID-19 since November, and every single morning his dog Billy goes to the front of the house in the municipality of Dorno in the north-western Italian region of Lombardy to wait for him.

He drags a blanket and pillow to the front gate and patiently waits for Marco to return, occasionally putting his black and white muzzle out of the gate grates to sniff the air for signs.

Marco Maiolani/Newsflash

Marco’s grandchildren said that Billy refuses to move from the spot and cries and howls for his owner.

The grandchildren said they are barely able to convince the pet to go back inside for the night where it always used to sleep curled in the owner’s shirt.

Marco is a volunteer of the Civil Protection and lives alone with his beloved pet Billy, a half-breed similar to a border collie.

Marco Maiolani/Newsflash

The two have been inseparable for over two years.

Marco said: “It was he who chose me. He immediately met me as if we had always known each other. I really miss him. It is priceless and irreplaceable company.”

He was hospitalised at San Matteo Polyclinic and spent many days in the intensive care unit on ventilation.

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He was then transferred for rehabilitation to the Scientific Institute of Pavia Maugeri where he is still recovering.

Marco said: “We should learn from dogs, they give you everything.”

He then adds: “A little more time and then I’ll be back to normal. I can’t wait to hold my Billy.”

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Meanwhile, Billy still guards the door tirelessly day after day, hoping for his owner to return.

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