For more than a week, Bulou has kept close to the memorial containing, among other items, a photograph of his human, Sylvester Edmund Yosos.

Sylvester, 31, died in a traffic accident on Dec 4 and Bulou has since been finding ways of keeping close to his companion, his sister Cerrel Sylvinee said.

“We will usually find Bulou sleeping or just sitting near Sylvester’s photograph,” said Cerrel, adding that Bulou had been virtually inseparable from her eldest brother.

“Even when Sylvester was sleeping, Bulou would be by his side,” she told FMT.

The family adopted Bulou five years ago, and although they had other dogs, a bond grew quickly between Sylvester and the puppy.

“Bulou had a special place in my brother’s heart. There was a time he had to go to work in Ranau. When he learnt Bulou was not well, he came back all the way to Kota Belud just to buy medication,” Cerrel recalled.

After Sylvester’s death, Bulou seemed to sense something amiss and kept looking around for him.

“I think Bulou sensed our grief and he became quiet and kept to himself,” she said.

The family decided to bring him along to Sylvester’s funeral in Kampung Mantanau, some distance away from their home.

Photographs and a video posted by Cerrel on social media show Bulou sitting quietly as the funeral service proceeded.

One of the most moving moments was when Bulou laid his head on Sylvester’s grave.

“Bulou is now with us at home,” Cerrel said. “We always know where he’ll be – right next to my brother’s photo.”