Photo: Dog waits near operating room while medical team performs surgery on Ukrainian soldier

[Donkees]

A dog waits in front of an operating room while medical team performs surgery on a Ukrainian soldier in a hospital, amid Russia's invasion, in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, April 19, 2022. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

[Poiuyt]

1. They let dogs in hospitals over there?

[boston bean]

2. My dog was allowed to see my mother when she was in icu.

[GoldandSilver]

3. My first thought too.

Best wishes to the soldier and the dog. Slava Ukraini!

[Maraya1969]

4. I remember many years ago bringing my little Pomeranian into the hospital after my dad was

operated on for cancer. His doctor showed up and I was immediately scared I was in trouble but the guy just turned around and shut the curtain and started playing with her on the bed!

Dogs can be so healing.

[sl8]

6. Over here too.

Mostly with volunteers that go around to cheer up patients, at least in the hospital I'm familar with.

[Donkees]

7. Looks like another dog is in the back room

[Disaffected]

13. Over here too (Canada)

Before Covid, I volunteered with an organization that would take their dogs to visit many different places, including hospitals, in a "therapy dog" capacity.

My team visited bi-weekly to a teen/young adult psychiatric ward and an ICU ward. I must admit that the admittance of dogs to an ICU surprised me a bit - there were no restrictions, the dogs would be brought right to the bed side or even on the bed if the patient wished. This all-in-all was very worthwhile therapy for the patients as well as the medical staff (plus the dog owners).

[drmeow]

22. There is a whole

therapy dog program at my hospital called Dogs on Call

[Botany]

8. Dogs are the best people

Please may it be so that the dog and his/her human get to go back to their home or rebuilt
home and sit outside or inside w/each other and enjoy their time together.

[Stinky The Clown]

11. Dogs are, indeed.

We have three. When I see an image or story like this I reach for the closest one to give them a hug and reassure myself they're there.

We don't deserve them. They deserve more than we can ever give them.

[smirkymonkey]

20. Yes, my sentiments exactly.

Some people just see a dog who is where it shouldn't be. Some of us see a dog who will do anything to be near the one who loves him or her, including breaking the rules. Some of us just see undying loyalty and love.

[TomSlick]

9. We don't deserve dogs.

A military dog is a brother or sister in arms. Of course they are concerned about a comrade.

[hunter]

10. I have one dog who would care.

I'm not entirely sure the others wouldn't regard me as some exotic flavor of pork if I didn't make it.

I've always lived among the wild things.

[Joinfortmill]

12. Good dog

[calimary]

14. Awwwww - man's best friend. Right there in the flesh!

[Deuxcents]

15. Where's my tissues? A beautiful story in this photo 🐾

[StarryNite]

16. That's an amazing photo.

I hope the soldier made it through surgery and is on the road to recovery with his best friend by his side.

[Karadeniz]

17. That is flat heartbreaking....

[calimary]

18. What's that quote?

I think it's something along the lines of "...they also serve who only stand and wait."

[Raine]

19. The Ukrainians love their dogs (&cats) 💕 & their dogs love them just as much.

I don't think I've ever seen a country where the people and animals have such a bond between them as in Ukraine. 🥰?️

[Tommy Carcetti]

24. My Ukrainian grandmother would feed the stray cats in the alley behind her house.

When asked why she did it, she said that it was because she too once knew what it was like to feel hungry.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

21. That is a good dog who wants to help

[North Shore Chicago]

23. Love Love Love