Loyal dog mounts vigil at hospital doors for sick owner

Published: 05 Sep 2016 10:58 GMT+02:00

Maya was finally reunited with her owner after waiting patiently for six days at the doors of a hospital in Alicante.

Sandra Iniesta, 22, was discharged from Elda hospital near Alicante on Saturday where she rushed a week earlier after suffering a ruptured appendix.

Waiting loyally for her at the door of the hospital was Maya, a two-year-old Akita Inu, who had steadfastedly refused to leave her vigil while her owner was recovering.

Even when her owner’s father attempted to pull her away tempting her into the car with offers of treats, the dog refused to budge.

“She knows what is happening and she is showing that she can be patient,” he explained to local Alicante newspaper Información of Maya, whose Japanese breed is famous for its loyalty.

She quickly became a favourite with hospital staff who posted a photograph of Maya on their facebook page and the story soon went viral on social media.

Iniesta emerged from the hospital on Saturday to discover her beloved dog had become a celebrity.

“She just did what she does at home in Barcelona which is wait at the door of a place until I return,” explained Iniesta.

"After days of not seeing my girl Maya, the kiss and happiness at seeing me and me her is priceless," she wrote on Twitter