http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3162659.ece

January 10, 2008

A pet dog missed the family's dead cat so much that he dug up his grave
and brought the body back into the house.

When Oscar's owners woke up the next morning they discovered the dog
curled up beside Arthur, the late cat, in his basket.

His owners, Robert Bell, 73, and his wife, Mavis, of Wigan, Greater
Manchester, believe that the dog had licked the cat clean before falling
asleep.

Mr. Bell said that the two pets were constant companions. Arthur, who
was a large cat, used to help Oscar to climb on to the sofa.

Oscar, an 18-month-old Lancashire Heeler, had watched Mr. Bell dig a
grave in the garden and then lower the cat into the hole. Mr Bell said:
"He had managed to climb out through the cat flap in the night,
obviously with the intent to get Arthur back. Bearing in mind that
Arthur was a huge cat, Oscar must have used all the strength he could
muster.

"Then he pulled him into the basket and went to sleep next to him.
Arthur's coat was gleaming white. Oscar had obviously licked him clean.
It must have taken him nearly all night."

Arthur is now reburied in a secure grave. And Oscar has a new playmate,
a kitten called Limpet.