Former stray dog from Leyte now living European dream with fur parents

From being a weak stray animal wandering the streets of Baybay City in Leyte, a dog named Tokoy is now experiencing his first snow, traveling across Europe, and living a life far from what he once knew.

According to Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras,” Tuesday, Tokoy was rescued in 2019 by his fur mom, Elizabeth Carpentero.

“Binigyan ko po siya ng tubig, pagkain. Napag-isipan ko na dalhin siya sa vet. After mga two weeks, nakita ko po na nag-improve po talaga 'yung kondisyon niya. We became inseparable po,” Elizabeth said.

In 2020, Elizabeth left for Europe after receiving a scholarship, leaving Tokoy under her family’s care.

“It was hard for me po na malayo sa kaniya kasi he became a big part po sa buhay ko. Nagvi-video call ako sa pamilya ko. I really make sure na naririnig ni Tokoy ‘yung boses ko. Bumalik ako, mga almost three years old na po siya. Hindi niya pala ako nakalimutan,” she said.

Elizabeth later received another offer to study in Europe.

“Nalulungkot ako sa thought na maiiwan ko naman si Tokoy and this time, it's going to be four years. Alam naman natin ‘yung life span ng mga aso. Short lifespan lang ang meron sila. Nag-suggest po ‘yung partner ko na what if daw dalhin namin siya sa Spain. Nag-research po talaga kami and we found out na it’s possible,” she said.

They coordinated with a pet travel agency to work on Tokoy’s requirements, including vaccination records, a veterinary certificate to the EU, and his microchip certificate.

“‘Yung total na gastos po namin is 100,000. Hindi po siya gano’n kadali. It takes six months sa part namin,” Elizabeth said.

Tokoy finally flew to Spain in April 2024. Since then, he has traveled with his fur parents across Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia.

“Bumibisita din po kami sa mga towns. Nag-travel na din po kami last year sa France. Now, nakatira po kami sa Switzerland. Nakabisita na po kami sa Grindelwald at Interlaken. At nakasakay na po siya ng cable car at nakabisita na rin po sa famous ‘Crash Landing on You’ na mga spots,” Elizabeth said.

“It’s very important po para sa akin na lagi ko pong makasama si Tokoy. Na-diagnose po ako ng anxiety way back 2019. Malaki po ‘yung role niya na ma-cope up ko po ‘yung lowest times ko.”

—Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News