A Country of Dog Lovers: My Sweet Encounter with LeBron

     Another thing that caught me pleasantly off-guard was how much Filipinos loved dogs. Every morning during my jog, I would pass by dozens of houses and nearly every one of them had a furry companion waiting by the gate. Some were barking (probably because I was a stranger), some were wagging their tails, and others just stared sleepily, basking in the early morning sun. There were also many stray dogs wandering around, especially near the campus, beaches, and local markets.

Some stray dogs in the rain in front of our cottage which i had already given them umbrella

    The most memorable encounter I had with a dog was when I visited the home of my local friend, Kobe. He had always talked about his dog named “LeBron”—yes, like the basketball player. LeBron was a Shih Tzu and apparently, the pride and joy of his household. Kobe told me countless stories about how playful and smart LeBron was, and I was excited to finally meet him.

    When I entered their house, LeBron greeted me with excitement, wagging his tail and giving small barks that sounded more like sneezes. I was a bit hesitant to pet him at first because of religious reasons—I was worried about the ritual cleansing (bersuci) needed if his saliva touched me. But seeing how well-behaved and clean he was, I took a chance and patted him gently on the top of his head. It was my first time petting a dog abroad, and it felt like a small but special cultural moment.

My first met with LeBron

    What I found interesting was that while many households had dogs, cats were quite rare. I wondered if it had something to do with cultural or religious influences, as the majority of Filipinos in this area were Catholic. Dogs were seen not just as pets, but as protectors, companions, and even status symbols.

    It’s hard not to admire how animals can be such a natural part of someone’s daily life. And in this case, dogs weren’t just pets—they were family.

Dog in the Basketball Court