Dogs have a way of becoming part of our lives in ways that we never expected – blame it on the way they look at you, melting your heart instantly with their big eyes and funny expressions. But don’t be fooled by them, they are as manipulative as they are adorable. They know how to make you do things even when you don’t want to. You think you’re in control? Not likely. Their secret weapon is to look at their masters with their heads tilted, eyes pleading, tails wagging and mouths wide open, and they instantly get what they want, whether it’s a rawhide bone or an extra biscuit, a pat on the head, or five minutes of tickling behind their ears.
Dogs teach us not only to be patient and kind, but more importantly, they also teach our children to be more tolerant of the elderly and people with disability. As studies have shown, adults who had dogs when they were children are more likely to be kind and tolerant than those who didn’t. With senior citizens, dogs have a calming effect, helping them lower their blood pressure and keep them company. In extraordinary circumstances, ordinary dogs save their masters’ lives.
There is one thing that every dog – no matter what breed, size or disposition – teaches its master: Once you get to live with a dog, life will never be the same without one.
In spite of the big commotion that followed, I remained unfazed and quietly went to the scene. Our harried dogs made pleading barks between looking at me and the thick smoke coming out of the roof of the master bedroom. My room was on fire! Although our village fire truck arrived immediately, the minutes that went ignoring the dogs made time for the fire to build up and spread fast. Help from four more fire trucks was needed to contain the fire which was caused by one small electric fan left running for hours by one careless houseboy. As I calmly looked at the whole scenario from the street, I found myself thinking of the bright side: No one was hurt and no artwork was damaged. I also discovered the good hearts of my neighbors and the efficiency of our well-managed barangay. Through all this, the best gift of all was how our dogs saved us from what could have been a bigger disaster.
Having dogs truly brings about a different level of existence to anyone, young and old. There is a saying that a dog is a true friend no matter what because he wags only his tail and not his tongue. They truly make a house a home.
MYKEE CONCEPCION, 10-year-old granddaughter of Raul Concepcion: My mom Karen said that when I was two years old, I fell into the pool at the beach resort, and Sam and Hooche jumped into the pool and kept barking as if they were trying to help me and at the same time call my mom’s attention. If it weren’t for our two dogs I would have drowned.
DINKY SANTOS, business executive: What is the one memorable thing my dog has done for me? A tough question to answer because I have lived with dogs all my life. Having been born into a family of animal lovers, I cannot even recall a time when we didn’t have dogs in the house. On my own, I now have more than 20 Labrador retrievers and I treasure every minute I spend with each of them. So, every day that I spend with them is indeed a memorable one.
A better question to answer is: What have my experiences with dogs taught me through the years? I lost six of my favorite dogs to carbon monoxide poisoning back in 1998. It was a horrifying experience for me since these were my top Labrador retrievers, who included Jack, the Philippines’ top dog for 1996. Before this incident, I felt like I was on top of the world. I felt like I was untouchable – winning almost every dog show there was to win including every exhibitor’s dream – The Philippine Dog of the Year award.
When the tragic incident happened, I thought it was just a dream. I just couldn’t believe such a terrible event could happen and at the snap of a finger, all my favorite dogs passed away. Was it a curse, was it a nightmare, was I in the Twilight Zone? Let me assure you, it was definitely all too real.
What did this experience teach me? It humbled me. It taught me that nothing is permanent in this world. It made me realize that when you are on top, there is no other way but down – way down. It made me appreciate how to treasure each and every moment of my life as if it was the last.
Through the years as a dog lover, dog breeder and dog show judge, I cannot imagine my life without my dogs around. And through all the experiences I have had with them – good and bad – they have taught be how to be a better person.
MARILEN CONCEPCION, Pilates instructor, B and B Studio: I have many dogs at home, and with all of them, I remember how I would go crazy looking for a missing slipper...only to find it, days later, shredded. Endearing things they would do is lick my face, just as I finish putting on my makeup, and they would put a paw on my white shirt just as I’m about to walk out the front door. A few Christmases ago, I found a half-eaten carrot cake on the floor and I noticed a chewed up leg on a new chair. These are just some of the many unforgettable incidents living with my dogs! I ask myself why I put up with it. Well, because they add so much humor to my life, they keep me busy whether I have something to do or not, they keep me fit, they stay by me in good times and not-so-good times, and they’ve taught me lessons in life such as having faith, trusting, and loving unconditionally.
And as for my grandson Enrique, I think he loves George because he can use him as a pillow, poke his tongue when he’s bored, talk to him even about nonsense, and can pass food to him that he can’t finish...and simply because he knows George will always be there.
BABOO MONDOñEDO, writer and advocate for the environment: I room with a male at home in Baguio. He is the most loving, gentle and adoring species from Mars. He is Charles, a Labrador with creamy, silky hair. His cushion is under my bed. He comes up in the early morning to announce he is awake. His back warms mine until I get up to let him out. He follows me around the house and parks by my feet when I am having coffee, working at the computer or sitting with friends. At meals, he just sits there, giving me a sticky, pleading look. He is the most patient and obedient male I know. Still on the path approaching the house, he barks, his tale wagging, waving. When I enter the gate after a long absence, he welcomes me by jumping up and down, round and round! Then he positions himself on the chair by the front door to have his paws wiped before he is let in.
He is company when I lie down for a nap on my day bed or when sitting by the fireplace. He is just there – he is quiet presence. His love is unconditional, and that opens up my heart. He shares that intimacy that humans need to keep from being lonely and isolated. I suspect, he contributes to keeping my blood pressure down. He is consistently lovable.
The wonderful thing is having not only Charles but Bambina and Gonzo too. They are wonderful creatures and have personalities of their own. They complete my household.
Bambina, a black dachshund, is the alpha dog, and she is a bitch. When anyone comes to the house, she goes on and on with her high-pitched bark. She has learned her manners, sitting on a chair beside me at meetings or in restaurants. She lords it over the household, and she’ll ignore you when she is not in the mood. She loves sticking her long nose through the grass, sunbathing in the garden, and sniffing at corners of the house when she senses something. She engages big dogs and people, and they often back off. Bambina has taught me that dogs are like people and they should be regarded as humans. They, too, have rights – if they could only talk!
The baby of the family is Gonzo, a calm German shepherd. He just follows his kuya (Charles) around, and they are quick to smell food. Once, I was wondering why I hadn’t seen them for a while and I found them in the outdoor kitchen where girls were slicing meat for a party. They were being given treats; a slice each for every few pieces cut.
I could go on with stories about my life with my pets. They are among my best friends and they take me for what I am. They don’t talk back and they don’t hold grudges. They are my loving companions at home. They make me smile and feel for other living things in the universe. They make me more human.
RITA TRILLO-UGARTE, business development manager: The most memorable thing Tucker has ever done for me was keep me company when I was alone at night. I’m scared of the dark, (yes, silly me), but Tucker took that fear away by sleeping at the foot of my bed for a whole month while my husband was away. He was my guardian then and is still my guardian now. He is a real momma’s boy.
JOSE MARI UGARTE, journalist: Since we got Tucker, a champion Labrador from New Zealand, he has been my buddy and sparring partner. I love it when I come home and he sprints toward me and starts jumping all over me. What follows next is a wrestling match. Tucker amuses me with his facial expressions and his actions. He’s a smart, lovable and handsome dog. And although my wife thinks he’s a momma’s boy, he certainly takes after his poppa.
LIA MARTINEZ, commercial editor: I have a 10-month old Jack Russell terrier, and she’s a pretty independent dog. Instead of sitting beside you and gazing at you adoringly for hours on end, she usually likes to go off on her own, sniffing everything and assaulting anything that remotely resembles a mouse – like a rock! The thing about her though is that she can always sense what kind of mood I’m in, and whatever it is she’ll be in that mood, too. If I’m feeling bad after a tough day, she’ll find her way beside me and comfort me somehow. This usually involves propping herself up on my stomach and licking my face enthusiastically. Disgusting as it feels afterwards, it always works. Nothing cheers you up like a dog’s unconditional love.
TANYA LIM LLANA, junior fashion designer/executive assistant: The most endearing and odd thing my girls, Bria and Riley, do happens when I’m down and depressed. They usually stay on the floor while I watch TV but when they hear me crying or when they sense that I’m sad they both jump on the bed and snuggle really close to me, resting their heads on my chest with their paws on my stomach and I start dying of laughter! Can you imagine two huge Labradors wrestling and trying to catch my attention? Once they’ve both settled down and I look into their eyes, I see unconditional love and that’s what gives me great comfort and peace.
ALESSANDRA OLEDAN RODRIGUEZ, nine-year-old granddaughter of jeweler Liding Oledan: I was so happy when we got Pinball. I wasn’t allowed by my grandma to have a dog, but because I really begged and pleaded with her, she finally allowed a dog in the house.
Pinball is the most affectionate dog ever! She cheers me up when I feel sad, and it’s almost like she hugs me back when I hug her. She is almost like a sister to me. Every night she waits for me to tuck her in. In the morning she wakes me up to go to school by jumping on my bed and licking my fingers. I don’t know what I would do without her.