Not by barks, but by their heartbeats

CEBU, Philippines - It has long been said that dogs are man's best friends, but for this man's heart they are truly family.

Christopher Neil Tan – young and a jack of all trades. A Business Administration major from the University of San Carlos, this 20-year-old is currently single, but he's already got his babies.

No, he doesn't lull them to sleep or carry them around singing lullabies, nor are they in diapers or their hands wrapped in mittens; they are his pets whom he loves just as much as a father would love his own child.

Attracted to the idea of taking care of pets since 2009 (his fourth year in high school), Christopher now owns five dogs: two of them pugs (toy dog with a wrinkly, short-muzzled face and curled tail) and three chow chows (lion-like, blue or purple-tongued dogs).

From a friend who had a pregnant chow, the eldest of his “babies” was named Lexie who is now three years old. A cinnamon-colored female chow, Chris describes her as an active but aloof darling. Leonine in appearance, she is essentially well-balanced with a proud and dignified bearing, but just like most chows, she's that blue-tongued adorable thing.

Lexie was then followed a year later by Chowder (another chow, this time male) and pugs Nacho and Chloe.

The newest addition to the family who is only four months old and Chris just got in March of this year: Blair, another chow, whose name is based from Leighton Meester's character Blair Waldorfin of the Gossip Girl series.

With his “babies” around, Chris spends his time mostly by walking the dogs during mornings and afternoons almost every day--- not only a way of taking care of them, but also a good dose of quality time with each other.

He admits that training them and playing with them are the best things he's done for his babies. It's always about making them happy. Being the “father” that he is, Chris even recalls the craziest thing he's done for them.

He drove to Bacolod City (an hour and a half drive from his hometown, San Carlos City in Negros) just so he could buy them medicine, shampoo, and dog food. He loves them and would surely go that extra mile for their sake. 

However, the love doesn't just work in a one way transaction as the pets also prove how they love Chris and his family. When once Chris' mom slipped at the stairs of their home, the dogs were automatically beside her until she was able to stand up. Talk about the sweetest.

Time Divided

Although Chris has a bit of other interests ranging from photography, running, computer and other gadgets (he's techie too!), he still makes time for an organization that is related to his babies.

In December of last year, he was invited by Chow Chow Breeders Association (CCBA) even though he hasn't started breeding yet. Among the organization’s activities are outings as well as forwarding a pet lover advocacy by donating to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).

Although Chris is restrained in participating from these activities because the organization is Luzon-based, he's still looking forward to the org's visit to Cebu City soon.

Of lessons learned

On why dogs and not other pets, Chris shares the reason and explanation.

"Dogs are different. I see loyalty in them… they understand what you are feeling, they cheer you up when you're down, they make you smile and laugh, this makes them stress relievers."

Along the process, Chris also learned the value of patience and responsibility by taking care of his pets. For him it teaches patience because you learn to understand how each other feels. There would be times when the pets wouldn't understand what you want them to do, as well as the other way around where you don't understand what your pet wants you to do.

On the other hand, he also learns responsibility because of the care he gives to his pets.

"They are just like humans that need to be fed, bathed, and taken care of," he says.

With that, Chris never forgets to give his babies a treat during special occasions like their birthday, Christmas and New Year. He feeds them meat (everyone goes crazy, he shares) while they wear party hats.

Dogs probably can't communicate what they want to say by speaking, but they have hearts, too, like humans who can express the gift of love to others. Christopher surely has heard their heartbeats.  (FREEMAN)