Workers of the Pervomaiskaya Mine in the Kemerovo Region have set up a monument to a miner dog named Lyalka.

      Throughout 15 years day by day Lyalka descended into the mine along with miners and accompanied them truly as a crew member.

      In those 15 years the dog was never late on shift. According to the miner Sergey Ignatiev, who worked together with Lyalka in the last 10 years, the dog was very fond of serving in the mine.

      Lyalka died last year and was laid down to rest in the mine area. To commemorate the unfailing friend the miners unveiled the monument for the anniversary of its death. They point out, however, that it is a monument not to Lyalka only, but to all those dogs who ever helped miners.