The pet dog living in a family of 9 people who died in the Jeju Air plane crash (South Korea) is still wandering around the village looking for its owner. Recently, the animal was rescued by an organization.

A dog named Pudding was left alone after losing his entire family in the Jeju Air plane crash that occurred on December 29, 2024.

Not knowing that the owner’s entire family had passed away, the dog still wandered around the village in Yeonggwang County, Jeolla Nam Province alone, searching for him. The moment the dog stood waiting for his owner in front of the house was recorded by many people, who expressed their sorrow.

On January 1, a representative of the animal rights organization Care said they decided to rescue Pudding because it would be unsafe for the animal to continue wandering without anyone to care for it.

“Given the animal’s condition, we contacted the victim’s family at the funeral. Pudding will now have a safe place at the animal rescue station until a legal guardian is found,” said a representative of the Care organization.

According to Care, Pudding lived in the house with a 79-year-old man (referred to as A) and his family members. Mr. A was also the oldest victim in the Jeju Air plane crash.

Previously, Mr. A and 8 family members registered for a tour to Bangkok (Thailand) for Christmas vacation. Mr. A’s wife, daughter and 6-year-old granddaughter were among the 9 family members who died, leaving Pudding without anyone to care for her.

After the tragedy, Pudding still stood at the door waiting for her owner. Her eyes often followed the cars and buses passing by the house as if searching for her relatives. People living nearby were worried about her poor condition and still fed her every day.

The dog is cared for by the Care organization (Photo: Care).

Care representatives also described their encounter with Pudding.

“We found it sitting quietly outside the village hall. When we got closer, it ran towards me with an excited look as if it was waiting for its family,” a Care member shared.

Pudding has now arrived in Seoul and checked into the veterinary hospital for health indicators. The animal seemed a bit tired during the trip, but remained calm and gentle.

“We are checking its health because its vomit contained harmful foods such as chicken bones and onions,” the veterinarian said.

Care also plans to ensure Pudding is well cared for until she finds a new home.

The story of dogs’ loyalty to their owners always attracts the attention of the online community and touches the hearts of many people.

Previously in November 2023, Indian media reported on the incident of a dog patiently standing outside a hospital morgue for 4 months waiting for its owner, unaware that he had passed away.

Staff at the hospital in Kannur, Kerala state, said the dog had arrived with its owner about four months ago. But just a few days later, the owner passed away.

During the days after his owner died, the animal stopped eating and drinking. During the day, it wandered around the medical treatment area. But at night, it returned to the morgue and collapsed outside. 

“The dog saw its owner being taken to the morgue and has been following him ever since. It is possible that the owner’s body was taken out of the morgue through another gate so the dog still believes that the owner is still in the building. We have not yet determined the owner’s identity,” a hospital staff member revealed.

Touched by the animal’s kindness, the hospital staff took turns caring for it and renamed it Ramu. It seemed that the animal still felt that its owner was still in the hospital, so it refused to leave.

Maya Gopalakrishnan, a doctor working at the hospital, is now the one who cooks and brings food to Ramu every day. The doctor revealed that the animal does not like to eat rice, but only likes eggs and fish.

“A dog loves its owner more than itself. It may only be a part of your life, but you are its whole world,” commented an account on social network X.