Loyal dog kept waiting outside '7-Eleven' after his homeless owner passed away. A princess heard his story and decided to make him royalty
When dogs sit beside their owners, they do not judge them by their wealth or appearance. All they understand is love and companionship. Earlier this year, a dog went viral for his enduring loyalty to his homeless owner, who sat outside a 7-Eleven store in Thailand. Even days after his passing, the dog kept waiting at the same spot for his owner to return. The dog named Moo Daeng became an internet sensation when his heart-touching story put him in the spotlight. It eventually reached a princess who gave him another chance at life.
Moo Daeng was a true companion to his deceased owner, a homeless man sitting outside the convenience store until his passing in November 2024 in the Mueang district of Nakhon Ratchasima province in Thailand, as reported by The Independent. The loyal dog continued to lie in the spot even after his owner’s demise. The heartbreaking gesture moved the staff, who then helped him with food and some blankets to keep him warm and comfortable outside. Eventually, the faithful dog’s story reached the masses after his pictures were shared online. He was nicknamed “Hachiko of Korat,” referencing the emotional film about Hachiko, a dog who waited for his late owner outside the Shibuya Metro Station for nine years.
Princess Siribha Chudabhorn, niece of Thailand’s current king, Maha Vajiralongkorn, also came across the dog’s story and decided to adopt him. “To all of Moo Daeng’s fans, I want to bring you up to speed so you don’t have to worry, feel anxious, or have unanswered questions after all the recent drama,” the princess wrote on her official Facebook page, per a Thai news outlet. She was touched by the kindness of a community that collected funds for Moo Daeng’s treatment for depression. She claimed that all her dogs came from a tragic past of trauma, abuse, and abandonment.
“But in Moo Daeng’s case, it’s severe depression,” she said, noting that the dog was deeply affected after losing his beloved owner. The princess explained that it was an issue she herself had been dealing with for about a decade. Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, the princess said, “I want to make everyone realize that this mental health condition, if not understood, can cause irreparable damage to Moo Daeng, both mentally and physically. While humans are able to hide their pain and appear normal on the outside, dogs are pure. They show exactly how they feel.”
She adopted the dog and promised to share his photos to keep his fans updated on his life. Ms Chudabhorn also promised to bring him to Korat, the neighborhood the dog once lived in, whenever she visits. Before officially adopting him, the princess made sure Moo Daeng was thoroughly vaccinated and acclimatized. She sought permission from the local authorities, moving the dog to her royal residence in Chiang Mai following the medical checks.