On Christmas Eve in 2020, a man riding his motorcycle through a remote mountain road in the Philippines was chased down by an “angel” dog, who was determined to get his attention.
Barking wildly and desperate to be seen, the frantic pup wouldn’t give up. Startled, the rider finally stopped and followed the dog, who led him to something that left him completely stunned.On December 24, 2020, as Junrell Fuentes Revilla was riding his motorcycle through the mountainous roads near Cebu, a dog suddenly began chasing after him – barking insistently and clearly desperate to get his attention.The Dodo reports that Revilla, who sensed something was wrong, stopped and followed the dog, who immediately turned and led him off the road and into a nearby dumpsite.
Squirming bundle
There, nestled on the ground, was something wriggling around in the brown towel it was wrapped.Gea Ybarita, a staff member at the local animal rescue Hope for Strays, told The Dodo: “To Revilla’s surprise, he found a baby wrapped in a brown towel. The location where the baby was found is isolated since it’s on the top of the mountain.”
The child was still alive – squirming, vulnerable, and completely alone.
Race against time
Realizing the urgency of the situation, Revilla quickly picked up the baby and rushed to the nearest police station. Authorities then contacted the Department of Social Welfare, who took over the infant’s care.Miraculously, the baby was healthy – thanks to the dog’s determined actions and Revilla’s compassion.The isolated location where the baby was found made the dog’s intervention all the more incredible. If not for his barking and persistence, it’s unlikely anyone would have discovered the baby in time.
Hero with a home
Once word of the dog’s life-saving act spread, Hope for Strays sent a team of volunteers into the mountains, hoping to find and help the brave dog they believed to be a stray.To their surprise, the dog – named Blacky – wasn’t homeless at all.While looking for the pup, a local man approached the volunteers, explaining that Blacky – less than two years at the time – belonged to him. He brought them to his home, where they found Blacky happily living with his owner and three other dogs.“He showed us the way to his home and to our surprise, Blacky was there with three other dogs,” Ybarita said. “We’ve confirmed he is not a stray at all.”
Family in need
While Blacky had a home, it was clear the family was in need. Still, Blacky’s owner made it clear that his dogs were family.
Blacky’s owner told the rescue group: “No matter how hard life is, even though I’m poor, I feed all of my dogs and take care of them well.”‘Amazing hoomans’ and ‘angel’ dog
Blacky’s incredible act of kindness didn’t just save a life—it changed his family’s future. Since the story broke, donations of pet food, supplies, and essentials have poured in for the family, offering support and recognition for the love they’ve given their loyal pets.
Wanting to help out, the rescue teamed up with another local animal welfare foundation, Pawssion Project “to give back to these amazing hoomans for having raised such an intelligent and friendly dog. It shows how compassionate and kind Blacky’s family is,” Hope for Strays writes in a Facebook post.
The groups delivered groceries, sacks of rice, treats and toys for the kids, pet supplies and a cash gift for the family.
“Thank you so much for making us an instrument to reward such a very good boy! It is an honor meeting this angel,” the post continued, adding that the owner was “teary-eyed.”