CAPAS, Tarlac – In memory of dearly departed pets, a “pawfrenda” – said to be a portmanteau of paw and “ofrenda” or offering – was dedicated by the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) this Undas.
The pawfrenda is located at the AKF compound in Barangay Cubcob here with various pictures of cats, dogs, and horses where prayers, poems and love letters are offered as a way of remembering and showing respect for the deceased pets.
This is said to be from various AKF supporters who sent their photos of their pets to their social media sites in the advocacy of love for animals.
Meanwhile, other fur parents visited the graves of their deceased pets and light candles at the dog cemetery also in the AKF compound.
According to Atty. Heide Marquez-Caguiwa, AKF program director, there are currently some 3,000 cats and mostly dogs buried in their pet cemetery.
They also put names on the graves to bury the cruelty and mistreatment on the animals and also planted trees and plants so that when they grow, they will become a symbol of good treatment for pets.
Meanwhile, “Buboy” who is considered the Filipino version of the Japanese dog Hachiko, was also buried in the AKF dog cemetery. Buboy was in great sadness since the death of his owner Carmelito Marcelo, a school teacher in Mabalacat City College. The dog died after being hit by a van in June 2019 while looking for Marcelo in the said city college.
