Last week, we wrote about how Kabang, the hero dog who lost her snout saving the lives of two girls, was finally returning to the Philippines after eight months of treatment at UC Davis.
Well, she made the trip back — to a hero’s welcome.
After being met by a throng of press members at the airport — where Kabang seemed to soak up the attention, happily posing for pictures and trying to play with the photographers — the dog went to city hall, where where Mayor Celso Lobregat of Zamboanga signed an executive order declaring Kabang an “Ambassador of Dogwill,” according to Inquirer News.
Then it was off to the motorcade in her honor, with Kabang in the lead vehicle, a balloon-festooned pickup, where she met and snapped photos with her adoring public.
She was also reunited with her owner, Rudy Bunggal, and the girls she saved: the owner’s daughter, Dina, and cousin Princess Diansing.
“She is not just my friend, she is like a part of our family,” 13-year-old Dina said. “I am very thankful to her, because without her, maybe I will not be alive today.”
Kabang had also been sent home with a year’s supply of heartworm as well as flea and tick preventative medicine from Pfizer, and a lifetime’s worth of Pedigree food.
After all the hubbub, Kabang is going to lay low for a while, while under the care of her veterinarian, Dr. Anton Lim, who’s been caring for Kabang during the whole ordeal.
“We are sequestering her for the whole week. There will be no public appearances and, with permission from Manong Rudy, she (Kabang) will stay with us,” Lim said in a press briefing.
However, not all is well in the Bunggal household. Rudy’s wife, Christina, has left him. And Rudy admitted to reporters that he has been struggling with drinking and financial problems. Fortunately, he is allowing Lim to care for the dog for the foreseeable future.
“I leave everything to Doctor Anton. Whatever he thinks is good for Kabang, we will respect that,” he told Inquirer News.
Fortunately, Kabang’s food is taken care of, and Lim has offered to always provide care for the dog.
“We are always here if Kabang needs medical assistance. Our clinic is always open,” he said.
With the return of Kabang, the family’s fortunes also appear to on the rise. Lim said his group would help the Bunggal family get into government housing, and yesterday, photos appeared on the Team Kabang Facebook page, purportedly showing this new house.
As for Rudy, he vows to make sure that Kabang is well cared for: “If I need to work double time, I will do that so I can provide for Kabang.”
Via Inquirer News; photos via Animal Welfare Coalition’s Facebook page
