It's well known that dog is man's best friend.
But Wiley the wolf-dog was pretty fond of it's owner's late grandmother Gladys - so much so that he appears to cry at her graveside.
In this heart-breaking video, posted to YouTube on April 14 by user SarahVarley13, the adorable wolf-dog lays on the tombstone, shaking, and makes what appear to be sobbing noises as the family gathers around him.
The handler can be heard in the 10 second clip saying 'We miss her too,' as she comforts the dog.
The video has garnered some 362,000 views since it was posted to YouTube.
It was also posted to the website of the Lockwood Animal Rescue Center, a Ventura County, California, shelter that specializes in the care of wolf-dogs and horses.
The LARC website describes Gladys as 'a family member, and a supporter' of the animal rescue center.
'She will be forever missed, especially by Wiley,' the site reads. Sarahvarley13 writes under the video that Wiley is one of a number of 'service wolves' that help veterans returning from war deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, providing therapy and care through LARC and a program called Warriors and Wolves. Responding to queries from YouTube users, she explains: 'I am not a vet so I can't say if he's reverse sneezing as some of you are stating. 'I can tell you that he has never done that before and hasn't done it since. I may be anthropomorphizing his actions but its how I'm choosing to deal with loss...' 'Also, for those stating he is dying, I promise he's not. We have a veterinarian on staff at the sanctuary and Wiley is just fine.'
'She will be forever missed, especially by Wiley,' the site reads.
Sarahvarley13 writes under the video that Wiley is one of a number of 'service wolves' that help veterans returning from war deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, providing therapy and care through LARC and a program called Warriors and Wolves.
Responding to queries from YouTube users, she explains: 'I am not a vet so I can't say if he's reverse sneezing as some of you are stating.
'I can tell you that he has never done that before and hasn't done it since. I may be anthropomorphizing his actions but its how I'm choosing to deal with loss...'
'Also, for those stating he is dying, I promise he's not. We have a veterinarian on staff at the sanctuary and Wiley is just fine.'