Nathan Cirillo's dogs clearly love him as much as he loved them. The dogs broke the nation's heart Thursday, poking their heads from beneath the fence of Cirillo's family home in Hamilton, Ont., seemingly waiting for their master's return.

Dogs peek out from under a gate at the Cirillo family home in Hamilton, Ontario near flowers and flags that have been left on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014. (Peter Power/The Canadian Press) A vigil is forming outside the Cirillo home, with flowers, cards and tokens of respect lined up in front of the red brick house, according to CTV News.

Cirillo's dogs. Such a sad sight. pic.twitter.com/LTnPxOMlT6 — molly hayes (@MollyatTheSpec) October 23, 2014

Dogs at Cirillo family home. pic.twitter.com/is7cun7zWQ — Melissa Raftis (@MelissaRaftis) October 23, 2014

Cirillo was killed Wednesday while standing guard in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa. The reservist with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was father to a young son. He was also a passionate lover of dogs.

And of other animals.