A heartwarming video that recently went viral on Instagram showcases a homeless man in Bucaramanga, Colombia, organizing a birthday celebration for his two beloved dogs.
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The clip, which captured the attention of viewers worldwide, depicts the man sitting with his canine companions on park steps, with the dogs sporting adorable party hats. Clearly, a special occasion is underway.
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The homeless man proceeds to unveil a cake from a plastic bag, adorning it with two lit candles before leading a rendition of "Happy Birthday" for his dark-colored dog.
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Despite the absence of clear audio or subtitles, the video's message is unmistakable. One of the dogs is celebrating a birthday, and the homeless man is dedicatedly orchestrating a party for his faithful furry friend.
The poignant moment takes an even more touching turn when, after blowing out the candles, the man showers affection on both dogs with kisses.
He then slices the cake into small portions, allowing all three of them to indulge in the celebratory treat.
Choko, whose full name is Choko Jose Luis Matos, left his home several years ago to escape the relentless abuse and mistreatment he endured at the hands of his abusive mother. Since then, he has been living on the streets of Colombia.
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After working as a fisherman in Barrancabermeja for numerous years, Choko relocated to Bucaramanga to work as a window cleaner. One day, he encountered a stray dog whom he named Nena.
Nena's presence brought a ray of hope into Choko's life, motivating him to keep fighting. Four years later, Choko rescued Shaggy from a previous owner who wanted to dispose of him.
Ever since, Choko and his two dogs have been inseparable, forming a tight-knit family. When Shaggy's birthday approached, Choko had intended to surprise him with a chicken quarter, but his financial situation made it unattainable.
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Serendipitously, he noticed a woman attempting to discard a cake and approached her, asking if he could have it instead. The woman graciously consented.
Purchasing candles and thoroughly cleaning some plates and a knife, Choko headed to the park with his dogs to celebrate Shaggy's birthday.
Choko's inspiring tale deeply resonated with countless people, prompting an outpouring of donations from around the world for Choko and his dogs.
He created an Instagram page in 2019, and following the viral video, his number of followers surged to 187,000.
Grateful for the person who filmed and shared the birthday party, Choko acknowledges the fame and global support he has garnered, enabling him to provide a home and food for Nena and Shaggy and extend help to other street dogs in need.
“In so many years living on the street I was never alone,” Matos shares, “my dogs were always there to bring joy to many sad days and now together we are going to help many who need us!”
