Moo Daeng (pictured).Photo:siribhaofficial/Facebook
siribhaofficial/Facebook
A dog who waited outside a convenience store for months afterhis owner diedfinally got his happy ending — and royal status!The dog, named Moo Daeng, reportedly waited in his usual spot outside a 7-Eleven in the Nakhon Ratchasima province of Thailand every day after his owner — who was homeless — died in November 2024, according toThe Independent.The pup quickly became a local fixture, with neighborhood residents banding together to help provide him with basic necessities like food andveterinary care, per the outlet.A local photographer — who says a vet believes Moo Daeng is about 10 years old — began regularly sharing photos and updates about the pup onFacebook. The posts eventually caught the attention of Thai princess and animal welfare activist Siribha Chudabhorn.Princess Siribha is the niece of the current king of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn.Moo Daeng (pictured).siribhaofficial/FacebookOn Jan. 23, Princess Siribha’s team announced that she had officially adopted Moo Daeng — which means “red pig” in Thai — in an officialFacebookpost.In the post, the princess updated the public on Moo Daeng’s adoption status, as well as emphasized her desire to help meet the dog’s current emotional needs.The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!“To all of Moo Daeng’s fans, I want to bring you up to speed so you don’t have to worry, feel anxious or have unanswered questions after all the recent drama,” the princess wrote, perThe Independent.Princess Siribha went on to explain that all of her pets have experienced some form of trauma, and that she believes it’s important tosupport the mental healthas well as physical wellbeing of our furry friends.“All my dogs have experienced trauma, whether through abuse, abandonment or injury. But in Moo Daeng’s case, it’s severe depression,” she continued, noting that she believes Moo Daeng is still coping with the loss of his past owner.Moo Daeng, pictured in front of a photo of Princess Siribha.siribhaofficial/Facebook“While humans are able to hide their pain and appear normal on the outside, dogs are pure. They show exactly how they feel,” she added.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The princess also noted that she knows the public is deeply invested in her new pet, so she will continue to post photos and updates — and even bring Moo Daeng for in-person visits — when she is in the area.Moo Daeng has received the nickname “Hachi of Korat” in recent weeks due to the fact that he reminded residents of theJapanese dog Hachiko, a dog who became famous in the 1920s. Hachiko waited at a local subway stop for nine years following thedeath of his ownerafter the man died while at work. There is currently a national monument dedicated to the dog and his loyalty in Tokyo.
A dog who waited outside a convenience store for months afterhis owner diedfinally got his happy ending — and royal status!
The dog, named Moo Daeng, reportedly waited in his usual spot outside a 7-Eleven in the Nakhon Ratchasima province of Thailand every day after his owner — who was homeless — died in November 2024, according toThe Independent.
The pup quickly became a local fixture, with neighborhood residents banding together to help provide him with basic necessities like food andveterinary care, per the outlet.
A local photographer — who says a vet believes Moo Daeng is about 10 years old — began regularly sharing photos and updates about the pup onFacebook. The posts eventually caught the attention of Thai princess and animal welfare activist Siribha Chudabhorn.
Princess Siribha is the niece of the current king of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Moo Daeng (pictured).siribhaofficial/Facebook
On Jan. 23, Princess Siribha’s team announced that she had officially adopted Moo Daeng — which means “red pig” in Thai — in an officialFacebookpost.
In the post, the princess updated the public on Moo Daeng’s adoption status, as well as emphasized her desire to help meet the dog’s current emotional needs.
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
“To all of Moo Daeng’s fans, I want to bring you up to speed so you don’t have to worry, feel anxious or have unanswered questions after all the recent drama,” the princess wrote, perThe Independent.
Princess Siribha went on to explain that all of her pets have experienced some form of trauma, and that she believes it’s important tosupport the mental healthas well as physical wellbeing of our furry friends.
“All my dogs have experienced trauma, whether through abuse, abandonment or injury. But in Moo Daeng’s case, it’s severe depression,” she continued, noting that she believes Moo Daeng is still coping with the loss of his past owner.
Moo Daeng, pictured in front of a photo of Princess Siribha.siribhaofficial/Facebook
“While humans are able to hide their pain and appear normal on the outside, dogs are pure. They show exactly how they feel,” she added.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The princess also noted that she knows the public is deeply invested in her new pet, so she will continue to post photos and updates — and even bring Moo Daeng for in-person visits — when she is in the area.
Moo Daeng has received the nickname “Hachi of Korat” in recent weeks due to the fact that he reminded residents of theJapanese dog Hachiko, a dog who became famous in the 1920s. Hachiko waited at a local subway stop for nine years following thedeath of his ownerafter the man died while at work. There is currently a national monument dedicated to the dog and his loyalty in Tokyo.
source: people.com
