LIST: Pinoy celebrities' dogs who recently ran free and crossed the rainbow bridge
Trigger warning: animal cruelty, killing, violence
Dogs are more than just men's best friends. They are, without a doubt, members of the family.
And when they pass on, a part of their "hooman" also dies. Late in May and early this June, the beloved furbabies of some Filipino celebrities met their tragic end, ran free, and crossed the rainbow bridge.
Here are their stories.
Mo Twister and DJ Angelicopter
Veteran radio personality Mo Twister (Mohan Gumatay) and his wife, fellow DJ Angelicopter (Angelika Schmeing) just lost Bamboo, a 10-year-old English bulldog.
Gumatay on Instagram said Bamboo was "taken from the home he protected so well for so many years" by three construction workers nearby in Las Vegas last June 6 (June 7 Manila time).
"(They) tied a rope around his neck and led them into their truck in this summer heat," he wrote. "I have the cam footage driving away from our home with Bamboo."
He said the men admitted to stealing Bamboo after he confronted them "with evidence," which "got tense" and had the police responding. It, however, didn't warrant a felony due to lack of "certain elements."
On June 8 (June 9 Manila time), Gumatay said Bamboo's dead body was found in the area of the person who stole him, "nowhere" near their home. He said Bamboo must've "put up a hell of a fight" but still suffered nonetheless.
"I feel like I failed him and I’m in terrible pain thinking I did," he said.
Gumatay remembered how "everyone in the neighborhood," including Hollywood celebrities, stopped to pet Bamboo. He also noted how Bamboo was a witness to him starting a family with Schmeing, and served as their children's protector.
"As he aged and started to show diminished eyesight/hearing, he still had the alertness and desire to keep us safe," he said.
In another post, Gumatay shared a news report from local media 8 News Now. He said they're already coordinating with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police and his case has already been referred to the Animal Cruelty Division.
"Run Free Bamboo, the killers will not be as fortunate," he said.
Jelai Andres
Content creator Jelai Andres is mourning the deaths of her two dogs, mother and daughter Kitty and Neko.
Jelai detailed the heartbreaking incident in a YouTube vlog titled "Till We Meet Again" on June 9. In the 22-minute vlog, she was presented with the dogs' ashes, during which she couldn't stop crying with her sister Candy.
Candy said they initially kept the bad news from Jelai, who was out working, as they know that it will crush her anew. In 2020, Jelai also lost her dog Chicken after contracting the contagious canine parvovirus.
According to them, Kitty and Neko were allegedly poisoned. Candy said when they arrived home after going out, a seemingly weak Kitty was scrambling to look for Neko, which was strange as Neko would usually be in front of the gate waiting for them.
Candy noted that during Kitty's last moments, the dog was rolling on the floor still looking for Neko before becoming unresponsive.
"Grabe ginawa nila! Jelai said. "Sobra ang ginawa nila!"
"Ang sakit-sakit kasi dalawa at mag-ina," she said.
Jelai already sought the help of pet organizations Pawssion Project and Paws, and is looking to have the deaths of Kitty and Neko investigated. She also noted that her dogs weren't the only victims, as there are other reported cases of dogs in their neighborhood being poisoned.
"Parte po ng pamilya iyong mga alaga, huwag niyo pong patayin," she said. "Walang kalaban-laban iyong mga aso."
Jelai also posted a broken heart artwork on Instagram June 10, with the caption, "Unbearable pain."
Sanya Lopez and Jak Roberto
Siblings Sanya Lopez and Jak Roberto also paid tribute to their late Jong Jong, who passed on last May.
"You will always be in our hearts Jong-jong," Jak said in an Instagram post on May 24. "Salamat sa pagtanggal mo ng stress sa amin tuwing pagod kami sa trabaho at sa pagpapasaya sa amin pag malungkot kami. Run free Jong-jong! We will miss you! We love you Jong-jong."
Sanya reminisced the times she had had with their beloved dog. "Wala ng makikipag unahan sakin sa treadmill. Yung ikaw lang yung laging nakatingin sa camera pag may picturan na," she said in another Instagram post on May 23.
"Ikaw laging unang nakakaramdam pag may pinagdadaanan ako. Wala ng manonood sakin at ikikiss ako pag umiiyak ako."
The posts have several photos and videos of Jong Jong's moments, including the final one which appears to be in a veterinarian's clinic.
Sanya and Jak are certified dog lovers, owning a total of 10 (including Jong Jong).
