We don't deserve animals

While everything collapsed, The dog could leave - but he stayed for the cat.

This two-panel meme first displays text at the top reading 'While everything collapsed, The dog could leave - but he stayed for the cat.' above a real photograph of a golden retriever dog lying protectively over a tabby cat, both trapped under rubble from an apparent disaster. The second panel edits the same photo of the dog and cat into the center of a long hospital hallway, where dozens of well-known superhero characters from DC and Marvel franchises (including Superman, Hulk, Iron Man, and The Flash) are lined up on both sides, bowing respectfully towards the pair of animals. The meme praises the dog's loyal, compassionate choice to stay and protect the vulnerable cat instead of escaping to safety, framing this act as so noble that even famously heroic figures show it reverence.

This meme was sourced from 9Gag via an RSS feed, with the original published title 'We don't deserve animals'. It is a remixed work that combines two pre-existing viral elements: a real, widely shared photo of a dog remaining with a cat after a natural disaster, and the popular 'superheroes bowing in hallway' meme format that is traditionally used to honor individuals or entities that have performed exceptionally praiseworthy, noble acts.