Tail Tales

MARKKI STROEM

My pet Chow Chow Drake is two years old. I got him from a breeder I found online. He’s pretty high-maintenance. He has to shower twice to thrice a week and needs to be brushed constantly so his fur won’t get tangled. I take him to the vet once or twice a month—to check on how he’s doing, or for his regular shots. He gives me pure happiness and a sense of contentment, and valuable training on how to take care of fragile living things, like future children! Pets are always at the door to meet you when you arrive home. Pets keep you company when you’re lonely. Plus, pets always seem content with their lives—that’s incredibly infectious. Drake eats only dog food—it’s tried and tested. I don’t want him to acquire allergies. But sometimes I give him doggie treats. Bayani  San Diego Jr.

JOHN ARCILLA

There was no time in my childhood when we didn’t have dogs at home. Dogs are family to me. I have 10 right now. The alpha dog in my pack is a white apricot toy poodle, Poohpie or Mommie Pooe-pooey. We got her on the day Pope Benedict XVI was installed, so she’s about 9 years old. The gray poodle is named Twinzie Clawdia and the black poodle, Twinkie Amor—in honor of my costars’ characters on the old soap “Pangako Sa ’Yo.”

Twinzie Clawdia had two pups. One died; the one that survived, we named Dharma Riyana. Twinkie Amor had Tum-Tum Anjelo, Prince Tagku, Yury Jeremy, Yap-Yap Joseph, Yany Janiel and Yin-Yin Geraldine.

Yury and Yin-Yin were adopted by my friends Maris and Wape. I adopted my Siberian Husky Sophia from a doctor-friend who had his hands full with his own dogs.

We call our aspin Ampie Poodle, so she won’t feel left out. She’s actually half-Belgian Malinois; she was a neighborhood stray.

I take my pets to the family veterinarian, Jose Cepeda, for vaccinations. I’m very lucky because my two assistants, Ate Josie and Ate Pen, and my driver Kuya Molie are pet lovers, too.

Now, that I’m in New York, I Skype with the dogs every day. I miss them terribly.

It’s important that they are given a bath and their teeth are brushed at least once or twice a week. They go to the groomer every three months, and are taken out for walks every Sunday.

I treat dogs like family members. I value their unconditional love. They jump on me when I get home; they cuddle up with me when I am sad. They have distinct personalities.

I put up a small group called Capable Foundation, which advocates animal welfare. When people adopt puppies from us, we have a ceremony for them to pledge that they will take care of the pets properly. Then we conduct an open forum to share tips and exchange ideas.