A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 tragically crashed on December 29, 2024, resulting in the loss of 179 lives. Among the deceased was a family of nine, whose pet dog, "Pudding," was left waiting for their return. Recently, Pudding was taken to the family’s memorial service by animal welfare volunteers. Upon arrival, Pudding did not bark or whimper but stood solemnly in front of the family’s memorial, bowing in a gesture of respect, which moved everyone present to tears.
The Jeju Air flight 7C2216 took off from Bangkok, Thailand, and crashed while landing at Muan Airport in South Korea. The incident resulted in 179 fatalities and 2 injuries. The family of nine onboard perished entirely, leaving their dog Pudding alone, waiting on the street for their return. This heartbreaking scene has resonated deeply with the public.
According to reports from the Korea Times, the oldest passenger was an 80-year-old man traveling with his wife, two daughters, a son-in-law, three grandsons (aged 12, 18, and 19), and a six-year-old granddaughter to celebrate his birthday in Thailand. However, they faced a tragic fate on their return journey.
Pudding had been accustomed to waiting at the door for the family’s return every day. Following the accident, animal welfare organization CARE expressed concern for Pudding's safety as it wandered alone in town. CARE has temporarily taken Pudding into custody for care and protection.
On January 6, at 2 PM, Pudding was brought by volunteers to a joint memorial service set up in front of Seoul City Hall to pay respects to its owners. During the service, while volunteers held chrysanthemums and paid tribute, Pudding remained quiet and gazed at the memorial with a sorrowful expression. The organization CARE has committed to finding a new owner for Pudding while ensuring it receives proper care in the meantime.
"Pudding's silent bow at the memorial was a poignant reminder of the deep bonds between pets and their families," said a volunteer present at the service.
In light of this tragedy, many netizens have expressed their sorrow for Pudding's plight. Comments flooded social media platforms with sentiments such as “The dog is innocent; your family will watch over you until the last moment,” and “Animals have such sincere emotions; it’s heartbreaking to see such loyalty.”
This incident has sparked widespread mourning across South Korea as people reflect on the profound emotional connections shared between pets and their owners.