PAWS-SITIVELY DRESSED UP

WHAT a fabulous affair! And Mama and I were truly meant to enjoy it! Tita Anna (Cabrera, of PAWS, that wonderful group that takes care of my less fortunate aspin brothers and sisters) had been talking about the PAWS dinner even before Mama left for the US, and we had felt so bad when we thought we’d have to miss the event. Well, talk about silver linings; there were problems with the sponsors (something about not keeping your promises? Grrrrr. Okay, Tita Anna, I’ll keep my muzzle closed), which meant the event was delayed until October 20—which meant Mama and I, along with her friends, Titas Joy, Audrey, Popi, Saree, and Cathy, and their dogs, had a great time!

I knew something was afoot when Mama took me to the vet that morning—Tita Marga checked if the energy in all the supplements and products I was using were compatible with mine, a really cool new system of alternative healing, more on that in a future entry. Before we left, they said, “See you all tonight!” Tonight? Mama was seeing my vets?

Then Mama gave me an extra spritz of my insect-repellant dog cologne (from Giga! All-natural ingredients like citronella and sandalwood!) after giving me a serious bath that afternoon. Then Mama started to dress up, and the dead give-away—she fixed up my doggie bag! Oh joy, I was coming along! (PS A doggie bag contains everything I need, from water and a drinking bowl to a First Aid kit—again, more on that in a future entry). Mama experimented with tying a glittery scarf around me, but I didn’t think it worked; she eventually agreed. Here’s a pic of me with a different scarf, taken by Kevin Ong, and Mama and me in all our evening finery.

The place at Bonifacio High Street was wonderful, lots of grass and fountains and ooooh, other dogs! I almost dragged Mama over the grass heading there (well, I did gain 2 lbs of muscle, as Tita Marga said). We checked in at the entrance, and they gave me a pretty maroon scarf with gold glitter (good thing we left the ugly one at home, arf). Tita Audrey took Caper her whippet, and Tita Cathy brought Chili the shih tzu. Tita Joy was there with my sweetie Una, who has developed quite a dislike for loud noise, but he calmed down after a while. Tita Anna and Tita Liza looked so glam! My vets were all there, yippee—Tita Marga and Tito Nick Carpio with baby Roxy and dogs Tippi and Kohler (who Mama is always threatening to dognap), and Tito Nielsan and Tita Carol Donato and their kids, with dogs in three sizes! Cody must be the world’s most well-behaved Pomeranian. Cloud the Siberian Husky was very handsome, but Motombo the gargantuan mastiff was the biggest hunk around! Well, actually it was a toss-up between him and that gorgeous choco lab Tyson—soooo shy, but such a cutie (don’t tell Una!).

Dine with PAWS featured a buffet for both people and dogs. The people food, I gathered, was good—lots of veggie choices for non-meat eaters like Mama. But the doggie buffet! Oh food glorious food! Raw veggies, raw chicken, squash dumplings and all kinds of really good stuff. And we were worried it would all be processed cookies and fast-food! This was truly doggie gourmet stuff, and we also got clear water bowls to drink from (although Una and I could drink up the contents in a single gulp, they were so tiny).

What was heart-warming was how many people turned out. It wasn’t cheap; people paid P1,000 to eat, and P1,200 if your dog was eating, too. We were overjoyed to hear that the event drew a crowd of 300 and made some P225,000 for PAWS. And the stories we heard about the night’s awardees—Sassy, the dog who saved her owner’s life by calling for help after her human had fallen from a ladder; the people behind Bodhi and other groups who constantly donate to the organization; that babe Pia Guanio, who never turns down an invite to speak or appear in behalf of the organization. I was very proud when my vets were called on stage for having the heart to take on charity and grave cases, and for being fearless enough to treat the two poor pit bulls rescued from a dogfight in Antipolo earlier this year. What do Mama and I love about my vets? Aside from knowing their stuff, they love what they do, and they have animal welfare on their minds; it ain’t just all about the money! I still remember how Mama cried on Tita Marga when I had to undergo a second kneecap operation. They care, enough to take risks, as nobody wanted to help out with those pit bulls at that ungodly hour then but Tita Marga and Tito Nick. I’m so proud of you, guys! Here’s a picture Mama took—not too close, but well, you can see them.

There were so many celebrities around, too, and it was nice to see their dogs as dressed up as they were. My favorites were Echo and Heart—such a cute couple (especially Echo! Woof!) and with such a soft spot for dogs, too. I swear, it may take some time before people really do “See Beauty Beyond Breed”—honestly, there was only a handful of aspins that night—but with high-profile folks like them making a stand, I think there’s hope yet. There must be a change in attitude; PAWS can’t forever go around cleaning up after cruel, clueless, and inconsiderate humans who treat dogs like objects, and not the loving, loyal living things we are. I think it was Gandhi who said that a civilization will truly be judged by how it treats the most gentle and helpless creatures that share their world. How, indeed, can dogs fight against people, whether they skin and eat my brother and sister aspins, or think that dogs can be disposed of and given away when you tire of them, like used socks or a bag of garbage? Oh, if you only knew how happy we can make you if you let us. I changed my Mama’s life—and she never tires of saying so.

Disregard of animal rights in a country where even human rights are often trampled upon is a big problem, but PAWS is doing so much to help solve it. Pia Guanio was right; just because you have other problems doesn’t mean people cannot keep their humanity intact by being true stewards of nature, like God told you to be. That’s why Mama swears she’ll support these guys forever—Christmas is coming, and she grabs the opportunity to donate shopping money to them in her friends’ names instead of shopping for two dozen useless things that people don’t need, anyway. Now, that’s something to consider. In fact, Mama was sobbing herself when Tata, that lovely lady (she always smells sooo goood!) who started this all, got a much-deserved tribute. And no, Mama hasn’t given up on her plan of getting me an aspin baby sister; she just wants to make sure the dogs at home who aren’t getting enough attention are settled first, as well.

Me? I was just happy that night to be with Mama, her dear friends, and so many other dogs who are blessed enough to be so loved. I know that for every one of us who is safe and secure in our human’s love, a dozen aspins are hungry and neglected and dying painful deaths. But I have faith in PAWS, my mama, and people like them. All those good intentions can surely transform the world, I thought to myself, as, curling up on my doggie bed that night, I fell into a deep sleep , dreaming of squash dumplings and humans with good hearts.

ATE WEMBLY PART 2

AS you may have deduced by now, Mama went to New York, met Ate Wembly, and has found where her soul really belongs. She still doesn’t know how it’s going to happen. Will she work there, or work on making money here and then spend half of the year there? Will all that happen only after Grandma is gone, or will opportunities come soon? All she tells me is, the events of the last year have revealed much to her about the people she thought she would die with, and who she assumed would take care of her when she grows old. The biggest lesson of the last year for Mama—almost a year to the day, since the family got screwed up again by highly-publicized events—the biggest lesson has been, YOU’VE GOT TO FEND FOR YOURSELF. Things are so back to normal now on the surface, but really, even blood can’t be completely relied upon when the chips are down. You think you are part of a bigger unit, then just as suddenly, you realize you’re on the outside.

So, people, make sure you love yourself. People are strange. And that’s why Mama’s goal is to be completely self-sufficient, to choose her friends wisely, to accept the limitations of family—and to trust dogs more than people!

Speaking of dogs, here’s me and Ate Wembly catching up after Mama’s visit:

Wembly: Hello Banana dear, your Mama just left this morning—and heavens, my Mama says she was crying on the bus back to the airport!
Banana: Oh my! Was she sad, Ate? Did the city make her remember?
W: No, dear, it wasn’t the city at all. She loved the city, and I daresay she felt it loved her right back. In fact, she dreams of bringing you here one day, and I’m sure you would be delighted at all the nice spaces. Anyway, the fact is—she was actually crying about me.
B: What? Why ever for?
W: It’s sweet, and something I understand completely. She was telling your Mama that she was missing me—and was feeling afraid that she may not see me again, as she cannot come back until two years from now. Now, I don’t know if God will give me the gift of a longer life, but I guess she was afraid He might call me up to the dog park in the sky before we met again.
B: Oh my, what a morbid thought, but, well, it sounds like something Mama would cry about. She’s got the softest spot for us dogs, Ate. She’s even so pissed at her brother right now, because they want to buy a new dog—and poor Larry and Ruffa, their old dogs, don’t even have decent kennels! I swear, I think Mama would rather see people drop dead before dogs sometimes. But how do you feel, Ate?
W: When you get to my age, dear, you reconcile yourself with the inevitable. I’ve lived a good life, and I feel I have quite some wonderful time left. I guess when you’re a dog, it’s how well you live, not how long, because we cram several human lifetimes worth of love and honesty and joy in a few years. If you live long and are loved, then you’re blessed indeed. But enough sad thoughts, Banana dear, your Mama was delighted at the dogs she saw here. My Mama even took her to a doggie gym! And I must say, your Mama is just like mine in that she can’t seem to get enough of cuddling! It was quite funny, I tell you, having two noses in my face!
B: Oh dear, that’s Mama. I really don’t know how to tell her sometimes that I’d rather be sleeping than licking her fingers, but well, I don’t want to hurt her feelings. People can be such adorable, well-meaning pests, don’t you think?
W: Oh, indeed. Mama and your Mama even took me to that groomer down the street for a trim. Now, I have nothing against a little pampering, although that table was making me a little nervous—old bones, you know. But the evil man even said my behind smelled! The nerve! Do they have any idea how their behinds smell after sitting on that big bowl in the bathroom? Oh, if I were a Rottweiler I would have chewed his prissy nose off!
B: Oh, I’m sure he meant well, Ate. Did Mama get to go shopping?
W: Oh yes, I overheard her wishing she could bring you a huge fleece dog bed, but it didn’t make sense over there. Tropical weather, is it?
B: Quite, Ate. No winters here, and the summer can get soooo hot. In fact, Mama sometimes thinks I don’t like lazing around on her bed with her—but it’s really that the mattress is so much warmer than the floor.
W: Oh, I know what you mean; summers here are terrible, too. So your Mama did get to go to yoga—we could teach them a Downward Dog or two, haha!—and a couple of shows and a lot of shopping with my Mama. All this retail! Too bad we don’t like sniffing around for the same things. And then they spent your Mama’s last day here in the Park. I would have come along, but the walk’s too far for me now. Ahhh, I wish you could see it someday.
B: Wow, sounds wonderful. Ate, do you think I’ll ever see Manhattan?
W: Banana dear, be patient. Tomorrow it will be Boracay and some other beach. If your Mama can help it, you’ll be stopping at the lights on Broadway someday, too!
B: Oh, my mommy. I miss her so!
W: Just a few more days now, my dear, and your beloved human will be home. She misses you to bits, too. Take care of her—she’s had her troubles, but she is well and happy now. And I do believe you’ve played a huge part in that!

ATE WEMBLY

SOOOO sorry for the long absence. Mama was in the US for three weeks and came home to a torrent of work. I wasn't able to keep in touch because I didn't have access to a computer at Tita Cora's, where I board in Mama's absence (more on her in a future entry) as I only fiddle with Mama's laptop when she's not looking (maybe she suspects when she sees pawprints on Macarena the MacBook?), and Macarena actually went with her on this trip! The lucky thing!
Anyway, it was a great trip for Mama, mainly because, in her own words, her soul came home -- to New York. She thought she would live there once, many years ago, long before I was born, and she went back to visit her dear friend Vanessa (Tita Nenennnn) this year after 12 years. What a long time. Of course she had her apprehensions -- would she feel fear, pain, alienation? Would there be bad memories? The minute her bus rolled out of JFK into the city, though, she knew. This is where her heart belongs. And someday, she's taking me there. And I believe her.
Mama was never wanting in canine company in Manhattan, however, not just because of the dogs on every corner -- it is her new ambition to retire as a Manhattan dog walker -- but because of Tita Nenennn's daughter, 13-year-old Ate Wembly, a gorgeous Golden Retriever. Like I've always told you, dogs have a secret language, a secret network, and a secret communication system that people can only dream of. So, unbeknownst to Mama (and to Tita Nenenn, who is unaware that Ate Wembly types in her PC password when she's gone -- HA! and she thinks Wembles just sits quietly by the door, hehehe), Ate W and I had a chat some time before Mama left. Since I wanted to ask Ate W to take care of Mama, I did the calling...

Banana: Ate Wembly? We've never met, but I'm Banana, Alya's dog. I saw your picture in the snow in the computer.
Wembly: Oh, of course, dear, how ya doin? I saw your birthday party pictures too, what fun. No Goldens, though, not good, haha! So sorry if my Mama Nenennn calls you Saging sometimes, I hope it doesn't offend you? I believe it means "Banana" in your language?
B: Oh yes, no problem. So glad you know of me already. Your mom says we actually look alike.
W: Well, that's a nice notion, dear. Although I do have so much more hair -- adaptation to the weather, you know. It gets absolutely insane here, the cold, but I'm used to it. I hear your Mama abhors the cold, though, it's a good thing she's coming over at a good time...
B: Oh, so you know she's coming over, Ate?
W: Yes, I do, dear, my Mama has even fixed up her bed for your Mama, although my Mama really does prefer the couch because that's near MY bed and the TV. And what's an Ate?
B: That means big sister, Ate W, if you don't mind my calling you that.
W: Not at all, dear. I really was an Ate myself, although I have no idea where my siblings are now. I pretty much grew up alone in a house in New Jersey.
B: Oh, Mama told me -- and now you live in Manhattan! How chic!
W: I'd tell you it's overrated if I was jaded and old, but -- no, I really do love it here, sweetie. I just wish my old bones could take me further than the corner Starbucks where I do my morning business -- I know they've got fudge brownies on the menu, but I can't help it! Anyway, my life has really changed after I moved here with Mama. Less green, but so much more love and attention. I never thought I'd be an Uptown girl in my old age! haha!
B: Oh my. I'd love to visit, Mama says she'll take me one day when she makes enough money for the ticket. If she had her way, she'd live there, you know.
W: I did hear your Mama has, shall we say, "emotional ties" to this city. Well, my Mama loves it here. She's made quite a life for herself, far from where she was born. And I daresay I have just made her life more interesting, even if we did get together rather late.
B: You know what, Ate? Mama says that too. I think we've both done a bit of life-changing. Mama always tells me I changed her life, and she's certain you've changed Tita Nenenn's life, too -- given her reason to soften up, stop, and smell the flowers more, as it were. I'm lucky that Mama and I found each other -- and you and I are lucky, Ate, that we're living with Mamas who love us to pieces!
W: Indeed, my dear. I know we both get all the baby talk and stuff, rather trying at times, but -- you know what? I think our Mamas are both aware that it's quite a relationship of equals. I mean, she watches my every move, and she understands my quirks. I do feel the respect, even if she calls me an old gal sometimes.
B: Mama can read me like a book -- she knows when I have to pee, or when I'm up to getting stroked and massaged. But sometimes the massage hurts, especially on my bad leg, but she says I need it for the therapy.
W: Honey, when you reach my age, ALL your legs become bad! But you just make the most of it. I understand you get a lot of raw stuff to eat? How interesting. Too late to try that now, my constitution may not take it, but it does sound so nouvelle cuisine.
B: Not at all, Ate, it's the way our ancestors ate. Anyway, I do hope I can see you sometime -- or you can come over and I can bring you to the beach, I'm sure mama wouldn't mind...Which is why I'm writing, by the way. Please take care of Mama when she's there, she tends to miss me, and I'm worried she'll get a little sad if the place brings her bad memories. Please cheer her up.
W: Don't worry, dearie, I will do my best. I'm sure your Mama and I will get along fine. I have to go, I expect my Mama to be bounding up the stairs any moment now, and I want to make sure I turn all the switches off or she'll know I've been up to no good! Can't let them know what we're really capable of doing, now, right, Banana girl?
B: Boy, if they only knew...
W: I'll take care of your Mommy, and I'll give you a ring after her visit to tell you how it went. I expect they'll have loads of fun...Arf Arf now, sweetie, keep your paws clean. Don't let all the boys sniff you, choose well, hehe
B:Thank you so much, Ate. Woof.