George and the Songbird

I love George," says Regine Velasquez, better known as the Songbird, of her six-month-old Toy Shih-Tzu. "I got him as a gift from Jaya."

Crazy about George is what best describes Regine’s fondness for her new constant companion. She takes George everywhere she goes. Matter of fact, Regine has found out that there are many establishments where George is not allowed entry – something she is sad about. But that does not stop her from trying to get George to gain entry.

"One time my family and I went on a vacation in Baguio. I was so concerned that they would not let George stay in the hotel," recalls Regine. "But I asked the manager of the hotel and told her that George was just a small doggie. She agreed."

And then there is Rustan’s Makati which Regine vows is pet-friendly. "Everyone there knows George. They even asked to have photos taken with him," she says. "When I go there for my clothes the staff greet George first than me."

Dogs are not new to Regine who grew up with them. But she remembers that about seven years ago all five of their dogs were killed because of an epidemic that broke out in their home. Since then her Mom refused to get pets anymore because she was heartbroken when the dogs died.

Among the five, Regine shares that her favorite was called Askal, a native dog that looked like a St. Bernard. "I even taught Askal how to kiss," laughs Regine. "When he was small he would sleep in my room but when he got bigger he had to stay outside. Every morning, he would come upstairs and give me a kiss."

Two years ago, Regine was given a Labrador Retriever who she called Yellow. But it was hard to care for Yellow so she chose to give Yellow back to her friend. She still sees Yellow every now and then and is glad that Yellow is happy where she is.

George is another story.

Jaya gave George to Regine as a birthday gift last April. And for Regine, it was love at first sight.

Naming her new pet George was easy. Regine wanted to name her dog like she would a person, not those cutesie names that people give to their pets for her. She chose George because "the name is cute."

"He is smart," enthuses Regine, citing that it was the easiest thing to toilet train George. Regine swears that she just had to show him one time where he was to pee or poop and then after George knew it by instinct.

George is also Regine’s bed mate. And a great bed mate he is. Regine is fascinated by how George never wakes her up from slumber. He waits till she is good and ready. That is, of course, unless he needs to go before she is up. "When he has to go he scratches my head (making kuto-kuto)," she shares. "I know then that it is time to let him out."

But there is one thing that George does not like about Regine. That’s her singing.

George howls and barks when Regine starts singing. Regine can only laugh. "I guess he does not like the high notes that my voice hits," she explains. "But when I sing to him a lullaby in a playful voice, he loves it."

This is why Regine has yet to teach George how to sing. She thinks that George might make a better actor or dancer one day.

And George is not pleased when Regine is angry. He then extends his most sympathetic self to her. There was a time when Regine was on the phone in her room and she was upset. George went up to Regine and started scratching her to check what was wrong. "He even lay his head on my neck," she adds. "When I finally calmed down, he was OK and he went back to sleep." With George there are some rules that Regine has to follow. He does not like the lights on. No music and no eating of snacks either. "But I have been able to get him used to my watching some TV shows," says Regine.

A superstar in the making is what George is. Regine says she has had to apologize to her Dad because now when she arrives people look for George. In the past, says Regine, when people saw her Dad they knew she was there. Now it’s George. But it’s nothing to worry about because both Regine’s parents consider George an apo. Godparents, George has four of them. Jaya, Darling de Jesus, Pepsi Herrera and Pinoy Pop Superstar director Louie Ignacio.

"Monday’s are taping days for Pinoy Pop Superstar and on these days direk and I bring our dogs along," shares Regine. "It is so much fun. But I think direk feels that George is more the star of the show than I am."

Regine does not mind that George gets so much attention. He’s got the charisma, she assures us. Regine goes as far as saying that she has not met anyone who did not like George. Every one she knows is crazy about him.

And just like a true stage mother, she plans to include George in her ongoing concerts. "I have already had a tux made for him," she quips. "But what he will do onstage and when he will appear, those are the surprises."

Reflections is Regine’s concert which she is directing and starring in. Regine promises to sing the songs of old which have made her the great singer that she is today. Regine will share the stage with Kim Flores, Jonalyn Viray, Ai Ai de las Alas and Hannah Velasquez-Mitra, Regine’s niece who will play the role of the younger Regine. Also included in the show are saxophonist Jacob Sarreal, violinists Joseph Valdes and Paula Gutierrez and cellist Pocholo Gutierrez.

But the real star for the night will be George. She laughs and says that he may not like all the singing.

Dog or boyfriend?

To this Regine says that she considers George more like her child. Although Regine says that if she were to be in a relationship she would prefer that her man be a pet lover. "Paano na si George?" she asks. "I think that if I sense that he does not like George it might be better not to start anything."

From the way the interview goes on it seems that Regine has eyes only for George. "Please make sure that he gets a solo shot in our article," she says to me. "After all, this is about him, not me."

We nod. George is a real cutie.

"This is the first time for me to experience this kind of closeness with a pet. I am glad that George is part of my life," says Regine. "And I know that even if I love him with all my heart, he will love me back even more. George will never look for anyone else. He will always be faithful. Dogs are magical creatures."

* * *

Regine’s concert "Reflections" will be held today and Nov. 11, 12, 18 and 19 and Dec. 9 and 10 at 8:30 p.m. at the Aliw Theater. Tickets are available at all Ticketnet outlets at all SM Shoemart branches. For more information, call Aria Productions at 926-7868 and 426-7531.