A loyal Labrador has been lying outside a hospital in Argentina for over a week, waiting for his owner to return, unaware he has died.
The six-year-old dog called Toto has reported stayed outside the door to the Pablo Soria Hospital in the city of San Salvador de Jujuy in Argentina.
Local media report Toto lived with his owner, who asked for the dog to be brought to the hospital so he could say one last goodbye.
But the relatives of the man forgot to take Toto away and he has remained at the doorway to the hospital waiting for his master.
Fatima Rodriguez, a member of a local animal protection organisation, said they are looking for a new owner for Toto and said ‘the person who adopts him should have a closed house’ as there is a risk the dog will escape to go back to the hospital to wait for his owner.
Toto has reportedly been treated by a vet and needs to undergo surgery on one of his paws. The dog will also be castrated.
Local media report Toto is well behaved and is welcoming to all those who stroke him.
A local resident who is helping look after the pooch said: ‘He seems to believe his owner is going to come out someday to take him home’.
It is not known what the dog’s owner died of.
Labradors are renowned for their unwavering loyalty among man’s best friends and are one of the most popular as assistance dogs.
They are deployed in war zones, as rescue dogs and as guide dogs for the blind.
Toto’s story has touched the hearts of thousands, not just in Argentina but across the world. Social media has been flooded with images of the loyal Labrador curled up outside the hospital doors, waiting with a quiet and patient hope that his owner would reappear. The sight of him lying there day after day, rain or shine, has brought tears to many who pass by or follow his journey online. Volunteers often stop to give him food, water, or a gentle pat, but nothing seems to lift the deep sadness that lingers in his eyes.
Animal rescue groups in Jujuy have stepped up their efforts to ensure Toto’s safety and future. Although he has shown no aggression and seems comfortable around strangers, rescuers remain concerned about his emotional state. Fatima Rodriguez and her team have been working closely with veterinarians to monitor Toto’s health. After his upcoming surgery on his injured paw and his neutering procedure, they hope to place him in a calm and loving environment that can help him heal, not just physically but emotionally.
“He’s been through a lot,” Fatima said in an interview. “He’s not just grieving, he’s confused. He doesn’t understand that his person isn’t coming back. That kind of bond between a dog and their owner—it’s pure. It’s heartbreaking to watch him wait.”
There have already been several offers from individuals and families who wish to adopt Toto, moved by his story. But Fatima and her team are being extremely careful about who they choose. “We don’t want him to end up in a place where he might feel abandoned again,” she explained. “He needs stability, love, and a secure home. Someone who understands that he might try to run back to the hospital if he gets the chance. That’s why we’re looking for a closed house with a secure yard.”
In the meantime, Toto continues his daily vigil. He spends his mornings lying quietly by the hospital entrance, his head lifting slightly whenever the door opens, as if expecting to see the familiar face he longs for. Occasionally, he walks a short distance, sniffing the air or wagging his tail when a kind stranger approaches. But he always returns to the same spot, his eyes fixed on the entrance as if time will eventually rewind and bring his owner back to him.
Psychologists and animal behaviorists have commented on how deeply dogs can grieve. Just like humans, dogs can experience profound loss, especially when they lose someone they were deeply attached to. In Toto’s case, his loyalty is both admirable and deeply sorrowful. Dr. Laura Estevez, a local veterinarian who has been treating Toto, said, “He’s showing signs of depression, but he’s eating, and he’s letting us treat him. That’s a good sign. But emotionally, he’s still waiting for a reunion that won’t come.”
Locals have taken to calling Toto “El Guardián del Hospital” — the Guardian of the Hospital. Children come by to wave at him. Nurses sometimes sneak him treats. Even the hospital staff, many of whom see heartbreaking cases every day, say Toto’s story has touched them more deeply than they expected. One nurse said, “He reminds us all of what real loyalty looks like. He doesn’t want anything but to see the one person he loved the most. That kind of love is rare.”
As the days turn into weeks, the urgency to find Toto a home grows stronger. While the people of San Salvador de Jujuy continue to rally around him, the long-term solution must be more than temporary kindness. One local family, the Martinezes, who live about five kilometers from the hospital, have come forward with hopes of adopting him. The father, Luis Martinez, said, “We lost our Labrador last year. When we saw Toto’s photo, we felt like maybe we could help. Our home is secure, and we have the time and love he needs.”
For now, the adoption process is ongoing. The rescue team is planning a gradual transition, allowing Toto to get used to the new family in stages. They hope that with patience and gentle care, Toto will one day begin to build new bonds of trust and love. It won’t be easy—his heartbreak runs deep—but dogs are resilient, and Toto has already proven he has a heart full of loyalty and love.
Toto’s story is not just about loss—it’s also about hope, about the unseen emotional worlds of animals, and about the beauty of community compassion. He has unknowingly become a symbol of devotion, reminding people of the incredible bond that can exist between a dog and its human.
Meanwhile, people continue to bring him offerings—blankets, treats, even toys—but what he wants most is something no one can give him. And yet, with the right care, he may come to understand that love doesn’t end when someone is gone. It changes shape, finds new paths, and often, new people.
There are talks among the local community about erecting a small plaque in front of the hospital to commemorate Toto’s unwavering loyalty. “It’s not just about him,” said Fatima. “It’s about what he represents. Unconditional love. The kind that never gives up.”
As for Toto, his days of waiting may soon come to an end. But his story will live on—in the hearts of those who met him, in the quiet compassion of strangers, and in the home that will one day welcome him in, not just as a pet, but as a living reminder of love’s incredible power.
