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Man returns for dogs despite threat from Rolly

A Camalig, Albay local did not hesitate to go back for his dogs despite the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal 5 raised over the area due to Super Typhoon Rolly, according to JM Encinas’ report on “Stand for Truth.”

Fifi Navarra said he remembered their pets only after he and his family had already evacuated to their neighbor’s house.

“[M]ataas na po ‘yung tubig. Sabi ko po babalikan ko yung mga aso pero pinipigilan ako ng tatay ko. Sabi sa akin, 'Wag na susuong doon kasi tumataas na ng tumataas ‘yung tubig,'” Navarra said.

“Pero binalikan ko pa rin po sila. Doon po ako dumaan sa kusina. Nung nakita ko po ‘yung kutsilyo, ‘yun po ‘yung kinuha ko. ‘Yun na lang po, pinutol ko na lang po ‘yung tali ng mga aso sa parteng leeg,” he added.

After freeing his dogs, Navarra said he had told the dogs to swim to where they had evacuated.

“So ayun sabi ko po sa mga aso lumangoy na lang po sila. Kaya ayun po nung pagka balik po namin, fortunately, buhay pa naman po sila pero basang basa po sila,” Navarra said.

Though they returned safely, he said one of the dogs seemed to be traumatized as it was now unable to eat or leave the house.

“‘Yung isa po naming aso parang nakakaramdam po siya ng grabeng trauma. Hindi na po siya lumalabas doon sa bahay kubo. Kanina lang po siya lumabas, kaninang umaga. Ayaw din po niya kumain, namayat na po siya,” Navarra said.

Meanwhile, the Animal Kingdom Foundation was gratified to see photos of pet owners rescuing their animal friends.

“Ganito po talaga dapat ang ating gawin. Ang mga alaga po kasi nating hayop, no, may buhay din ‘yan. They deserved to be cared for also kaya sila rin po ay naapektuhan ‘pag tayo ay nag daranas ng isang bagyo or ano mang kalamidad,” Atty. Heidi Marquez-Caguiao said.

However, some pets were still abandoned during the calamity, including a dog that was carried away by rushing floodwater.

“Sana naman po sa susunod isama na po natin sila. Hindi naman po ito first time na tayo’y binagyo. Hindi naman po ito first time na nagkaroon tayo ng emergency. Alam naman po natin na ang Pilipinas ay laging binabagyo, inuulan, binabaha, may volcanic eruption, may lindol,” Marquez-Caguiao said.

“Kaya sana naman po as responsible pet owners isama na po natin sila at huwag po natin silang i-abandona,” she added.

Watch the video to know more. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News