Rommel Quemenales, an 11-year-old boy from Quezon City in the Philippines, has been living apart from his parents since they divorced when he was very young.
He has an older sister who resides in another city, but due to financial difficulties, Rommel has been unable to visit her and has been living on the streets since second grade.
Rommel shares that although he was forced to leave school early after being abandoned by his loved ones, he always intended to return.
Photos of Rommel and his dog quickly went viral after his story spread on social media, touching the hearts of thousands around the world.
Maria Kabs, moved by the sight of Rommel and his dog walking through the streets, took photos of the pair and posted them on her Facebook page. She felt compelled to capture the bond between the two friends.
An article first published in 2018 gained widespread attention, featuring an image of Rommel asleep while holding his dog, a powerful symbol of resilience in the face of hardship.
Rommel believes that Badgi, a stray dog, helped him find peace during his time wandering the streets alone. Since then, they have stayed inseparable, supporting each other as they navigate their daily challenges.
Badgi would often guard Rommel from other street children, and in return, Rommel made sure his loyal companion never went hungry, sharing his food whenever needed.
Each night, the two friends slept side by side, offering comfort to one another after long days of hardship.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances that brought these two together, Rommel and Badgi found hope in each other, lighting up one another’s lives.
Rommel, like Badgi, seemed unfazed by isolation or bullying. The puppy didn’t care whether his friend was wealthy or homeless; for this loyal dog, love was all that mattered.
Thanks to the efforts of many people and Maria’s widely shared post about her bond with Badgi, Rommel is now attending school and building a brighter future alongside his beloved canine companion, as reported by Yan.vn.
Despite all that he has been through in his young life, this little boy remains full of love, dreams, and joy, cherishing the special bond he shares with his beloved dog.
