Australian Shepherd's Touching Gesture Toward Deceased Sea Turtle Is Everything

Dogs seem to just know things. It's that sixth sense they have when something has gone seriously wrong. But nothing could have prepared one Australian Shepherd owner when their dog came across a deceased turtle on their walk across the beach.

The death was of course shocking, but it was what their dog did next that really blew the owner away.

The video from @seabreezeaussies shows what seems to be the impossible. Not only did the dog sense that the turtle was dead — but he then took it upon himself to bury the animal.

Related: Dog Saved From Death by Uber Driver Has the Most Fitting Adoption Story

"We found a dead turtle today and this happened..." the dog owner wrote in the video's caption. "My dog buried him."

The dog owner admitted they were "in awe" of the way their dog "so tenderly pushed sand over the turtle's body. Over and over again."

The Australian Shepherd didn't stop "until [the turtle's] body was blanketed by sand." They even had a memorial for the turtle. Can you even imagine anything that sweet?

"WE DON’T DESERVE DOGS!" they exclaimed in the caption. And it's true. This is just another example of how dogs really are the most gentle of souls. "Dogs are so much better than humans," wrote one person in the comments section. "Oh my heart. We don’t deserve dogs at all," someone else agreed. "It's too early to be crying. I love dogs so MUCH!!!!" a third person cheered.

Although there were some people in the comments section who sort of thought the dog was saving the turtle for later...you know to eat it. Which is a considerably bleaker take on the situation if you ask us.

Can Dogs Sense Death?

The jury is out on whether this dog was saying goodbye or saving his snack (we're really hoping for the former). But it does beg the question: What, if anything, do dogs really know about death?

The truth is that there's not a lot of evidence out there that dogs understand death. People might claim or connect different behaviors to dogs seeming to know when death is coming. But in truth dogs are very perceptive. They pick up on our emotions, vocal tone, and body language. If we're sad or depressed, they'll act accordingly.

It seems more likely that your dog's behavior has changed because you're reacting to death. Which makes so much sense! Your dogs look to you for clues on how to interact with the world, even at the end.

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.