A 10-year-old dog named Kankan may have sacrificed his life to protect his owner from a potential cobra attack. 

The fur parent, Emmanuel Onsay, 28, was resting in his hut in Goa, Camarines Sur when he heard Kankan in distress at midnight. 

The dog died within 30 minutes and attempts to revive him at the veterinarian’s failed. Later in the morning, Onsay found a dead Philippine cobra near his hut. He also found his seven chickens dead.

For him, Kankan saved his life. 

"Para po sako, hero talaga siya [si Kankan]. Grabe ang kontribusyon niya. Sabi ko ngani, utang ko na ini [na buhay ko] saiya, second life kumbaga, kasi delikado po, grabe po palan ang kamandag kang cobra," he said.

Dr. Marynade Atole-Orgaya, a veterinarian, said it is a common trait in dogs to be protective, as they see their owners as part of their 'pack.’

"Kino-consider nindang part of the pack si pinaka-human ninda. Kumbaga iyo ito si nagtatao saiya ning food [at] nag-aalaga saiya, so may natural instinct siya na maging protective man din," she said.

Kankan was among the latest Onsay adopted together with another dog named Korukoy. 

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, stray dogs that entered his workplace at Partido State University became his companions, especially when he worked overtime. A dog lover since he was a child, he made sure that dogs had something to eat while they were with him. 

He has since adopted 10 dogs and had promised himself he would adopt one each time he would get a promotion at work. 

"Promise ko po sa sadiri ko na every promotion, may iuuli po akong ayam, and na-promote ako last year into assistant professor four, kaya inuli ko su duwang ayam. Ang intension ko po kuta para maranasan ninda si buhay na dae na sinda magpaparahalat digdi ning kakanon," he said.

With the kind of loyalty animals can give people, like the kind Kankan has given his human, Onsay reminded dog owners to treat their pets like family.