Buboy, the Pinoy Hachiko, crosses rainbow bridge

FILE: The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.” ―M.K. Clinton. The Unconditional love of BUBOY & SIR MARCELO! (Photo: Mark Christian Pineda Arceo/Facebook)

Buboy, the viral dog who broke the heart of many netizens when a photo and video of him visiting his caretaker’s funeral made rounds on the internet, has now crossed the rainbow bridge.

On its Facebook page, the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AFK) shared that Buboy was run over by a vehicle on Wednesday morning, June 12, causing his tragic and untimely death.

“Volunteer caregivers, albeit a holiday, rushed over to the campus to check on Buboy and found him already lifeless,” it said.

A teacher told the AFK that the dog followed a security guard who just finished his shift when the canine was hit by a vehicle while crossing the highway.

“This mind-numbing incident, a tragic end to Buboy’s story, mirrors how we neglect the loyal and loving askals — exposing them to dangers even when we have the chance to take care of them. They deserve better — loving families and secured homes,” the group said.

“When animal-loving people want to bring home a dog, we allow them. When abandoned dogs have that chance to be in a loving and secured home, we also have to give them that. They just simply deserve better,” it added.

It was only last month when Buboy lost his caretaker, Professor Carmelito Marcelo of Mabalacat City College in Pampanga, due to stroke. Their story then went viral after netizen Ma. Kristina Paola Demafelix shared it on Facebook, attaching some photos and videos of Buboy when he was at Marcelo’s wake. One of the pictures showed Buboy standing on a chair as he looks closer to his caretaker’s face for the last time.

“Kanina pong paalis kami ayaw bitawan ni buboy ung kabaong ni sir marcelo (When we are about to leave earlier, Buboy does not want to let go of Sir Marcelo’s coffin),” the Facebook user had said.

[READ: ‘Till death do us part:’ Dog visiting caretaker’s funeral shatters netizens’ hearts]

Many netizens sympathized with Buboy and even called him as the country’s Hachiko for his loyalty.

Apart from the AFK, social media users and animal welfare group PAWSsion Project also mourned the pooch’s passing.

“Gone too soon. Run free Buboy! You are now reunited with your master in heaven,” the group said on its Facebook post.