Loyal stray dog ‘Buboy’ honored with statue in Tarlac

“Buboy,” the stray dog dubbed as the Philippine version of the loyal Japanese Akita pet “Hachiko,” was honored with a statue at the Animal Pet Cemetery in Capas, Tarlac, months after his death.

In a Facebook post, Animal Kingdom Foundation shared the “immortalized” figure of the famous dog erected on top of his grave built by Theme Builders Philippines, a Pampanga-based architectural designer.

The dog captured the hearts of social media users last May after he was seen visiting the classroom of his long-time caretaker Carmelito Marcelo, a professor of Mabalacat City College in Pampanga.

At that time, the faithful canine had no idea that Marcelo had died due to his illness.

Buboy died barely a month after his Marcelo’s death when he was allegedly hit by a jeepney.

Eyewitness said the dog followed a security guard who just finished his shift at the school and unknowingly, the dog reached the highway and the vehicle allegedly ran over him. (Hanah Tabios)