D4
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2019
Desiree Carlos, Editor
Pets
daycarlos28@yahoo.com
A LOVE-FILLED DAY
WITH RESCUED DOGS AND CATS By Katherine N. Lomboy
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THIS corner features pets of animal lovers every week. We hope new owners and those thinking of getting a pet will be encouraged to be responsible “furparents” through these features. We also hope more people will be moved to be kind to animals when they read about the great relationship that can be created between humans and animals. For contributions, please email to daycarlos28@yahoo.com and put My Furry Bestie as subject.
have always been drawn to animals even though a dog bit me when I was three or four years old. The incident left scars on my face but it did not make me afraid of dogs. I guess that dog gave me a love potion instead of rabies because I feel it actually opened my heart more to animals. I have always wanted to have a dog. But my parents would not allow me to have one because of the incident and we lived in an apartment. To satisfy my desire to be with animals, I would pet other people’s dogs and go to wildlife sanctuaries. My boyfriend, Dexter Goyala, would look for such places for us to visit. Three years ago, I decided to bring home a dog without the consent of my parents and it was the best decision I ever made. I was too exhausted, confused and tired at my previous work at that time. When Xedrick, my dog, came into my life, he made me feel so full of love. Having him around felt like I was being healed mentally, emotionally and physically. Our home became a happier and lively place too. It is because of him that I became more compassionate towards animals. Xedrick taught me not only to love him but to spread my love to others specially to the unfortunate ones I usually have packs of dog food in my bag when I go out of the house so that I can feed stray dogs. On my 28th birthday two weeks ago, Dexter and I visited one of the foster homes of Save ALL Inc.Save Animals of Love and Light in Quezon City.
MY FURRY BESTIE
Author Katherine (in blue shirt) and partner Dexter play with rescued cats. She donated food for the rescues on her birthday which were received by Save ALL admins Maricel Mondejar (second from right) and Joanne Zamora (far right).
I did not really plan on visiting a foster home or shelter. I usually donate cash or items to shelters in my list as my way of thanking God for giving me another productive year. Visiting a shelter was the last thing on my mind because even if I have a soft spot for animals, I did not wish to see the rescues in
Katherine and Dexter also met the rescued dogs.
a bad state or to hear their sad stories first hand. But Dexter told me, “Why not try to spend some time with the rescues. Let them feel human compassion for a time.“ I thought about my dog who is very happy when he is around me and when I give him food. I thought: Why not make rescued dogs feel loved too? Dexter and I were both in awe during the visit. It was not what we were expecting to see. The foster home is clean. We even have to be “disinfected” before we can enter the home and play with the rescues. They have kind caretakers and admins/officers who were so accommodating that we did not feel we were strangers. We even ate merienda (snacks) with them which made me feel like I had a birthday celebration. And the rescues? You won’t even notice they were strays or were sick prior to their rescue. They are well taken care of (it was very evident), and loved by the people around them. The humans know the rescues by their names, and the stories behind their rescue. The rescues are so lucky to have these caregivers/ admins. They obviously not only have a good home and good food but they also get lots of kisses, rubs, and I love you’s from the admins and caretakers . Just a warning to those who will visit the foster home: Once you look into their eyes, it is hard to look away and do nothing. As you
roam around the facility, you won’t be able to refrain yourself from trying to touch the rescues. It felt like my goal there was to befriend all of them. I would bring my hand near a cage and my heart would go “Yes!” when a dog licked my hand. As for the cats, it felt weird that they were all friendly and would try to reach for your hand or rub their backs on the cage or against your legs to welcome you. I felt loved by them, honestly. We have cats where I work and I can’t even get near them even though I always give them food. They are so snobbish. I can not forget Rafa. He is such a beauty!! He licked my hand and even brushed his back on the cage and allowed me to pet him. It was my best day so far. My heart was so full. One thing is for sure: this will not be the last time I will visit a foster home/shelter and we do hope this will open more opportunities for us to do more, to be more vocal and involved in helping the voiceless. We do hope our friends will do the same. About the Author: Katherine N. Lomboy graduated magna cum laude at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines with a degree in Bachelor in Cooperatives major in Financial Management and Accounting. She now works with the Apex Cooperative of the Philippine Cooperative Movement- Philippine Cooperative Center (PCC) after five years in the banking industry.
KEEPER was surrendered by his owner to the San Mateo, Rizal pound for allegedly snapping. Joan Go adopted him and he has not snapped at her at all since she got him. She says, ”I saw a post in The Wagging Tails regarding a dog who was surrendered and had been there for more than two months. His eyes were infected already. So I commented that I’m willing to adopt. That was in April, 2018. “ “Now this little doggy is such a clingy, overprotective boy who is so sweet and so smart. He just loves resting on my shoulder where he doses off,” Joan says. “He's always at my side wherever I would go. Sometimes I wonder what kind of owner would surrender such a sweet loving dog,” Joan adds.
PEPPER is a rescued asong Pinoy (aspin) puppy who was adopted by Sean Wilbur Enrique in October, 2017. “Who would have guessed she would turn out to be a beautiful dog? I named her Pepper because she is jet black in color, “ Sean says. “She just loves to run around. She is the biggest of all my dogs and the most patient and giving of them all, “Sean adds. Editor's note: These stories were compiled by admin Miks Lim of Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL), a SEC-registered animal welfare group that helps animals in need, and encourages and promotes responsible pet ownership, adoption of rescued dogs and cats from fosters, shelters and pounds, and spaying and neutering of pets to control animal population in the country, among others.
WORLD CAT FEDERATION TAKES GREATEST CAT SHOW TO RP PASAY CITY will host the first ever international cat show in the country (Best Cats in the Philippines) organized by the World Cat Federation in cooperation with the World Felinological Center “Astra”. The event will be held on February 16 and 17, 2019 at the GSIS gymnasium in Pasay City. "We look forward to this exciting event.
The staff who are mostly volunteers are working hard to create the most magical cat show,” said Nina Akimova, show manager and organizer. Exhibitors will compete for numerous prizes and awards culminating with the Best in Show. In addition to the judging rings, the exhibition will have the theme “The Greatest Cat Show on
Earth," featuring acrobats, jugglers, stilt walkers and various production numbers. The show will gather expert judges from all over the world including the President of World Cat Federation Ms Anneliese Hackmann (AllBreed, WCF, Germany), Ms Cornelia Hungerecker (All-Breed, WCF, Germany), and Ms Natal’ya Lebedeva of Russia (All-Breed, WCF, Russia).
There are also prizes for lucky spectators from pet supply store Pet Express. The two-day show will be open to the public from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. For further details, interested parties may visit the website en.top.cat.org/cat-shows/3525 and like the Facebook Page extimus cattus cattery.