Catcalls and wunderbarks!

We, at Pet Life are simply overwhelmed with the outpouring of barks and meows which we received through e-mail. OK, we got 16 emails. But only one advertised a product and not one came from a relative. Imagine that!

Here are excerpts: "Finally, something worth reading on a weekend! I have been an avid animal lover all my life. In fact, when I was about 3 years old, my playmates were three dogs and two cats. They make better companions than humans, that’s for sure. Right now I have a mynah named Bruno (who loves pigeon pellets and grapes), an aquarium which has a lonely orange Koi (his partner died not too long ago because of empacho), with two Gouramis providing exercise for the lonely Koi and two janitor fishes with attitudes (they insist on eating ahead of everyone else). "I also have a stray cat and a neighbor’s dog I feed and play with. I can’t have pets with fur in the house because my brothers have asthma.

"I recently moved to my own apartment and I am saving up for a dog. I’ve taken care of a Pitbull and a German Shepherd. Too bad they died of old age.

"Could you please feature a directory of breeders in Manila because I can’t seem to find any on the Internet, the brands of dog food available, and how to get in touch with obedience trainers. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. More power to Pet Life. All I can say is — PETS RULE!"— Daphne De Joya, San Fernando, La Union

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"Hi! I enjoyed your first feature on Aga Muhlach and the First Family and their pets. Sana this will not be limited to cats and dogs. Can you feature the following people and their pets? Richard and Lucy Gomez, Ces Drilon, Sen. Loren Legarda, Sen. Joker Arroyo, Ben Chan, NBI Dir. Wycoco, Clarissa Ocampo, Justice Anacleto Badoy, Danny Ildefonso and Sec. Raul Roco." — Antonette Bargo, Pasay City

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"Congrats sa first issue ng Pet Life. Please feature Chief Justice Davide, Sens. Joker Arroyo, Loren Legarda, Juan Flavier and star witness Clarissa Ocampo along with their pets."— Mary Grace Carlos

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"Hello! Puede nyo bang i-feature sina Loren Legarda, Rosebud at Clarissa Ocampo? Ang name kaya ng mga pets nila ay Ador, Jose at Ping?"— Rita De La Cruz, Hagonoy,Bulacan

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"It was nice to see your new Saturday section on pets. Finally, after all the make-up and clothes, I get to read something warm-blooded aside from humans.

"How about featuring pet health care, not just of dogs but any animal we can think of as a pet; proper grooming and taking care of pets; and dog shows. Can you feature pets for adoption; celebrity pets (oh, but you already started that); associations and clubs so pet owners and readers would know that such exist; info bits on animal rights, world news on the latest in animal care, animal rights, etc.

"Sorry if I got carried away. I just like the work you guys did in your section. More power." — Langga F.C.

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"I’m glad that the Philippine STAR has a section on pets. Is this a new section? Is it weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly?

"We’re into fish. I was wondering if you would accept an article featuring a specific pet shop or maybe you could feature one in your subsequent issues?"— Lanie Ching

Dear Lanie:

Pet Life is a weekly section of the Saturday Modern Living of the STAR. We’re into fish as well. You can send your article on fish to starpetlife@hotmail.com

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"What can I say? Your Pet Life section is SO WONDERFUL! For once I’m at a loss for words except to say Thanks/Gracias/Merci Beaucoup/ SALAMAT!

"Kathy, PAWS will be eternally grateful for your article, ‘PAWS for Thought.’ We bought dozens of copies to send to pals across the oceans. Elvira, thanks for mentioning PAWS with that great organization, WWF. Millet, Pet Life is taking the country by storm.

"PAWS sends love, thanks and a message: Long live Pet Life! You’ve given the animals the break they’ve desperately needed for ages. God bless." — Nita Lichauco, PAWS President

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"I read your new section Pet Life last Saturday. Allow me to express my appreciation and admiration to you all for coming out with a section that is dedicated to pets. In a world that is filled with so many heartbreaking news, it is a welcome treat to read something light and enjoyable. We need more of these because they fill our hearts with warmth and gladness... giving us faith and hope to cope with our problems.

"Kindly allow me to share with you our wonderful but unusual experience of having a pet in the office. I mention "unusual" because in our country, only a few offices have pets. Many keep aquariums. It is believed that fish bring good luck, as well as beautify and give a relaxing atmosphere to the work place. However, in our office, we have a dog. Our pet does not only make us more relaxed, it ushers sunny days of love, warmth and laughter for all of us.

"From the day he arrived, Tiny, a mix Dachshund, became everybody’s pet in the office. He is our "stress buster." Since we’ve had him around, our tasks seem lighter. He makes us more tolerant and cheerful. Whenever we feel pressured or problematic because of office-related stuff, Tiny will sit beside us and give us warm licks. His reassuring look seems to say, "Don’t worry, every thing will be okay." Patting and hugging him relieves us of tension and stress.

"Tiny is our office companion, pet, mascot, outing buddy and a very dear friend. His gift of unconditional love has transformed each of us into better persons. I once read: ‘An angel can sometimes be a pet, sent from heaven above, to keep us company and fill a void in our hearts with love.’

"We are so blessed to have Tiny.

"I hope that this letter will inspire the people in Pet Life. You guys are doing a good job. I pray that God will bless and guide all of you as you create pet awareness among people. He gave you this special mission. He’ll see to it that you’ll succeed.

"Thank you and more enriching pet stories ahead!"— Carolina R. Bantegui, Tri-Global Computer Training Center

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"When will you feature alligator shoes, tortoise shell paineta, ostritch mules and crocodile wallets?"— ERIC, Quezon City

Dear Eric:

Never.

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"Good work! I’ve been waiting for something like this for a long time. I read The Philippine STAR all the time and with a new section like this, it will make me look forward to reading it every Saturday. I know that this is only the initial issue but it’s a good start. I like the Pet Pix best of all. I’m really excited to get my camera ready to take pictures of my pets so I can join your contest. I have four dogs right now — a 2 two-year-old Shih Tzu, a five-month-old German Shepherd, a six-month old Dalmatian and a 10-month old Askal who is posing as a Golden Retriever.

"If I have time, maybe I can also send in my contibution to your section. I’m really looking forward to your future issues." — Zendie P. Macahilig, Dasmariñas, Cavite

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"Congratulations on your initial issue of Pet Life in The Philippine STAR’s Saturday Modern Living. It will surely be something pet lovers will look forward to on weekends.

"Would appreciate it if you can help me get in touch with the Feline Fanciers of the Philippines.— Borja

Dear Borja:

We’re working on it. We’ll get you the info next week.

* * * "Merry Christmas. Could you please feature Sec. Angelo Reyes and his pets?"— Michelle Dolosa, Ampid, San Mateo

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"I found a bird in my kitchen. I cannot find the owner. I don’t want to take care of it and I cannot eat it because I’m vegetarian. What should I do?"— Emmie, Las Piñas

Dear Emmie:

Check for babies; it could be a stork.

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"Please feature the following people together with their pets; Danny Seigle of SMB team; Ombudsman Disierto, Sens. Loren Legarda, Joker Arroyo, Kiko Pangilinan, Johnny Flavier, STAR columnnist Teodoro Benigno and star witness Clarissa ‘Kissa’ Ocampo."— Jessica Moseco, Caloocan City

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"Please feature Chief Justice Hilario Davide. Feel ko lang makita siya in civilian clothes playing with his pets. Lagi kasing serious ang feature sa kanya. Lighter side naman. Idol ko siya.— Maricel Bargo, Sta. Ana, Manila

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Keep those letters coming. Comments, suggestions and pet-friendly articles are welcome. E us at starpetlife@hotmail.com