'Kabang' set for hero's welcome

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - - Everyone is excited to welcome  hero dog “Kabang” when she returns home. However, her master 58-year old Rudy Bunggal said he would shed tears when he finally  meets again the canine that saved the lives of his daughters from a motorcycle collision more than a year ago.

abang, a shepherd mix known in the Philippines as Aspin (asong Pinoy), lost her upper snout after it was nipped close to her eyes when she bit the chain of a speeding motorcycle to prevent it from hitting her master’s children Dina, 12, and granddaughter Princess who was then crossing the street along Vitaliano Agan avenue in December 2011.

Christina,  a relative of the children, who witnessed the potentially fatal accident, believed that Kabang was well aware of the harm that will come to the children  leading the dog to jump out of nowhere and bite the chain of the speeding motorcycle.

Her heroism and survival from the horrifying injuries became well-known in the media and social media, prompting various groups and organization to call and seek surgery and medical attention for the dog. Kabang is expected to arrive here Monday.

Bunggal said he was only informed of the scheduled arrival of his dog. A motorcade has been prepared for Kabang.

“If we will see each other I will really cry. I’m really excited because I have not seen her that long,” Bunggal, a vulcanizing technician, said in Visayan dialect.

Bunggal said he was very proud of his dog and glad to  have raised the awareness about respecting animal rights.

"Even before the incident,  the dog was already receiving the same  food that we were eating,” Bunggal added.

Other dog owners have also promised to donate dog foods to Kabang instead of money when the dog will be turned over to his owner.  - Roel Pareño