Hero dog, Kabang, passes away

The hero dog from Zamboanga City, Kabang, has passed away on Monday.

The sad news was made on Facebook, Monday night, with a black and white photo of 13-year-old Kabang standing tall and looking like the hero that she is.

“It is with profound sadness that I announce the demise of our hero dog Kabang,” the caption read. “I found her lying motionless near her bed tonight.”

“Thank you for the [eight] years of unconditional love, loyalty and joy you brought to our family. Thank you for the life lessons and the inspiration you gave to the world,” it added.

In another Facebook post, her owner, veterinarian Dr. Anton Lim, also shared some memories he had with the dog and expressed how much she will be missed.

“I knew one day this would come. No matter how I prepared myself mentally, the suddenness of how you died, left a deep void in my heart,” he wrote.

“You did not even give us the chance of nursing and taking care of you in your old age and watch you drift away,” he continued.

He also reminisced on their time spent in the United States for Kabang’s surgery and how Kabang excitedly returned back home to his city.

“I cannot forget our homecoming from the US, inspite of many many months away, you immediately jumped with joy upon seeing Rudy Bunggal,” he said.

“When Mang Rudy came to me one day asking me to adopt you for the fear of someone dognapping you,  I felt the responsibility but it was the easiest decision i ever did.”

Among the things he will dearly miss is Kabang jumping over the gate to greet him, staying beside him when he works and acting like a supervisor when he mows the lawn.

“You were just there. Tonight, I missed washing your bowl and feeding you,” he wrote. I and my family already missed you Kabang even though you are gone for just a few hours.  May we see each other again,” he continued.

Kabang became famous in 2011 when she leapt in front of a speeding motorcycle on a busy road to save two young girls—the daughter of her owner and her cousin.

Her face was mangled but she survived in the incident.

When her story became viral, an online fundraising drive spearheaded by New York-based nurse Karen Kenngott raised more over $20,000 for Kabang's treatment in the United States.

Doctors were unable to completely rebuild her face but managed to protect her from infections that could have endangered her life.

Run free in dog paradise, Kabang. -- BAP, GMA News