Dog hero Kabang returns to the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – After getting treatment abroad for the upper jaw she lost for her heroic act saving her owners, dog hero Kabang is ready to return to the Philippines.

Josh Villanueva reports.

ANTON LIM
VETERINARIAN, TZU CHI FOUNDATION

She is really a national hero in the Philippines.

There are stories of dog superheroes and then there’s the story of Kabang…

Considered a hero in her hometown of Zamboanga City Kabang is an Azkal – a native dog who shot into national fame in 2011, when she thrust herself onto a speeding motorcycle to save the lives of her two owners.
The accident ripped off her upper jaw… a deformity many thought she would not survive.

Her story is also one for the social media history books a Facebook Page – Care For Kabang was setup to raise funds to fly her to the United States to receive treatment.

ANTON LIM
VETERINARIAN, TZU CHI FOUNDATION
There was never a time they didn’t stop asking how Kabang is doing.

9 months and 20,000 dollars later she arrived at the University of California, Davis October last year.
Her escort to the US, veterinarian Anton Lim says they looked for the best doctors to help her.

ANTON LIM
VETERINARIAN, TZU CHI FOUNDATION

I saw the resumes of the doctors assigned to Kabang they had been doing this all their lives.

But wasn’t all smooth sailing. Doctors found out Kabang was also suffering from heart worm and a form of infectious cancer – and it was important that she receive treatment before they could attend to her face wounds.

Finally in March doctors begin reconstructive surger which included removing her upper teeth and reconstructing one of her eyelids.
Her facial wounds were closed with skin flaps that were brought forward from the top and sides of her head.
Nasal openings were also reconstructed giving her two new permanent nostrils.
The 5-hour operation was a success. Late last month Doctor’s gave her a clean bill of health to return to the Philippines.
Today Kabang is discharged from the hospital…and is scheduled to fly home on Thursday to a heroes welcome from her family.
Josh Villanueva, Rappler, Manila.

– Rappler.