Philippine Hero Dog

[ironjulie]

Kabang the Hero Dog Loses Snout, Steals Our Hearts



Heros often come in small packages. Although Kabang the dog didn't jump from space like extreme skydiver Felix Baumgartner, her small, courageous Earth-bound leap has clenched an orbit around our hearts.



It began a few months ago, when Nine year old Dina Bunggal was charged, as usual, to keep her cousin, little 3-year old Princess Diansing safe, as they crossed the very busy intersection in Zamboanga City, Philippines. An inattentive motorcyclist bore down on them as they stepped onto the street, but it wasn't Dina who protected the young pair. It was the family dog, Kabang, who threw herself between them, at a devastatingly painful price.



Dina's father Rudy, who works at a nearby shop, saw the tragedy unfold before him. The german shepherd mix that Rudy and his wife Christina took in as a stray puppy bolted onto the road, launching herself head on into the rapidly spinning front wheel of the motorcycle, throwing the rider off balance and toppling the machine.



The driver got up with only minor injuries. Dina and Princess were left untouched but shaken. Kabang, however, did not get off so lucky for her heroic efforts, losing her entire snout and upper jaw as the motorcycle flipped with her nose stuck in the wheel.



Jovito Urpiano, an onlooker who saw the accident unfold right before his eyes, states that he believes Kabang knew the dangers, never hesitating in her action to save the girls. As onlookers ran to the scene and freed what was left of Kabang, improbably, the little dog got up and bolted, leaving behind her bloody, ruined nose and upper jaw. And what many thought was the only chance to save her.



Two weeks later, Kabang returned home, with a face difficult to look upon without heart-ripping emotion. She had suffered through incredible pain in silence far from those who loved her, who wanted no more than to throw their arms around Kabang and thank her for making, without thought or hesitation, such a sacrifice.



Local authorities wanted to round up the injured dog and euthanize her, to put her out of misery. The Bunggal family, however, would have none of it. Animal Welfare officials treated Kabang with antibiotics, to prevent infection, and Kabang soon learned to hold down her food with her front paws, in order to chew with what is left of her mouth.



Kabang's plight was covered in the Philippine media, and her story moved across the world, where Karen Kenngott, a critical-care nurse from Buffalo, N.Y., heard about the poor animal. Kengott orchestrated an online campaign, and the donations poured in.



Although veterinarians in the Philippines were unable to help Kabang, after $20,000 was raised, the little german shepherd mix was flown to UC Davis last week on a donated flight via Philippine Airlines, customs and care provided courtesy of Global Animal Transport of Canyon Country, California and a free hotel room from the Hallmark Inn of Davis, California. Although Kabang won't have a prosthetic device installed, reconstructive surgeons at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital are determining how best to proceed over the next six weeks with procedures to stop the possibility of any future infection.



Just like Baumgartner's dive from space, Kabang has landed on her feet after this ordeal, her life moving on like normal. She gave birth to a litter of puppies last April, and will begin her first round of surgeries on her teeth and face soon.



UPDATE: Kabang's surgery team has discovered that she is suffering from an aggressive form of Cancer and heartworm. Her surgery has been postponed until they have a chance to provide chemotherapy and treatments as necessary. Please keep Kabang in your prayers. The UC Davis team has given an initial positive prognosis for treatment.

[Anonymous]

It could be a Disney movie.