Magic and the mountain
July 22, 2006 | 12:00am
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"I saw the Basset Hound puppy in the pet store and he was slipping all over the place and tripping over his ears, and he just had this dumbfounded look on his face. I just knew I had to get him," recalls Ali of his first encounter with the dog he eventually named Magic. That was seven years ago. Magic has since grown into his ears and learned to keep his balance; but he still has Ali stooping really low to pet him.
Youd expect a big guy like you to have an equally big dog. What made you decide to get a Basset Hound?
Ever since I was in college, I would see them on TV, in commercials or on Animal Planet, and they would seem funny too me: big nose, droopy eyes, long ears, long body, and their paws are huge looks bigger than their bodies, especially when theyre puppies. And every time Id see my neighbors basset hounds when theyd go for walks, it seemed like the only thing these dogs did was sniff the ground it just seemed like they took forever to go on walks because the dogs would always be sniffing. I thought that was funny.
I also like the sound they make. Its not a regular bark. They howl, and for a dog their size, they can get pretty loud.
Whyd you name him "Magic"?
I named him after one of my favorite basketball players, Earvin "Magic" Johnson. I thought itd be great to name him after a legend. And he responded pretty well when I called him Magic.
Is Magic the first dog youve had since you came to the Philippines?
Yup. Hes actually my first dog ever. I got him in 1999.
You never had dogs back in the States?
No. My parents wouldnt allow me to have a dog growing up, but we had a cat when I was about five or six years old. My family called him Shiny.
Do you have nicknames for your dog?
I call him Fat Fat because of his big stomach; Medyas, because he has white legs and they look like socks (and that trips me out); Tap Taps, because every time I come home, he jumps on me and while hes trying to maintain his balance on his hind legs, his two front legs seem like theyre tapping against mine; and Quick Steps because when hes walking, he looks like hes jogging his feet move so fast. I also call him Aso (thats my favorite Tagalog word).
My friends call him Six Wheeler because hes long and his body is so close to the ground.
What do you and Magic like doing together?
He likes to wrestle with my hand. I put a towel around it and he automatically associates that with playing he starts gnawing at my hand. He also likes fetching bones and balls. Dogs are supposed to give them back to you, but Magic, after hes got the ball, runs past me. I have to chase him to get my ball back. Of course, taking walks with him is also fun.
How often do you take him for a walk?
I try to take him out every day. He loves it. Basset Hounds are known to be notoriously lazy. But Magic isnt anything like that. Hes so active, even at eight years old. Even his veterinarian says that Magic is the most energetic basset hound hes seen.
Does Magic know any tricks?
Not really. Although he knows how to look extra sad, especially when Im eating and hes looking up at me from beside the table.
Do you talk to your dog?
Oh, man, thats something I dont think Id want to answer But yeah, sure, I do sometimes. I think all owners do. There are times when I really believe he does understand what Im saying. If only dogs could talk, I wonder what Magic would be telling me. Hed probably say, "If I were a bigger dog, I probably wouldnt listen to you as much," or something like that.
What are his favorite treats?
He loves biscuits. He loves human food. I dont really feed him human food but sometimes thats his treat. He likes chicken and he loves pizza. I also give him fruits: apples, oranges; he doesnt really like bananas.
Difference in size aside, you and Magic have certain similarities
I get that all the time. They say we have the same lazy look in our eyes and that we both have big noses (although his is more sensitive than mine). Hes got brown fur, I have brown skin; hes got big paws, Ive got big feet and hands. Its one thing when family and friends say that we look alike, but when even your vet tells you the same thing, its something to think about.
So, do you think walking your dog is a good way to meet girls? Has any girl tried to pick up on you while you were walking Magic?
Ha-ha-ha. Never. I always think they are more attracted to my dog than they are to me.
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