A dog who spent six years accompanying his owner to school joined him at his senior high school graduation, wearing his own toga as they celebrated the end of their journey together.
Seven-year-old Shong-Shong attended the graduation of his owner, Bryle Sapalleda, at Kauswagan Integrated School in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte, on March 30, 2026.
Shong-Shong had regularly followed Bryle to school since Grade 7. The dog became a familiar presence among his classmates, often staying near Bryle during lessons and sometimes resting beneath his chair.
Throughout the years, Shong-Shong also joined school activities and attended Bryle’s Grade 10 moving-up ceremony. Bryle described his dog as well-behaved and thanked the school administration for allowing him to bring his companion to school.
As Bryle prepared to graduate from Grade 12, his mother had a toga specially made for Shong-Shong. Bryle explained that his pet had attended school so regularly that it was practically as though he were studying there too.
“Minsan mas nauuna pa nga po siyang pumapasok kaysa sa akin,” Bryle said, recalling how Shong-Shong sometimes arrived at school ahead of him.
Videos shared online showed Shong-Shong accompanying Bryle and his parents during the graduation march at the school gymnasium. Wearing his graduation attire, the dog also walked onto the stage and mingled with teachers and fellow graduates.
Teacher Eda Sagapsapan Recamara also shared her thoughts on the dog’s presence at school. In a Facebook statement quoted by DogHeirs, she said,
“Dogs are the best teachers: they show us that a little kindness and a wagging tail can brighten any school day.”
The graduation marked another milestone in Shong-Shong’s six years of accompanying Bryle to school, from his first year in high school through Grade 12.
