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Saving Sweetcha and her puppies: A dog's tale in Cebu
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It's a sad fact that many stray dogs or aspin (asong Pinoy) are often ignored, avoided, abused and even killed.
But one couple was determined that this would not happen to a stray dog with newborn puppies they spotted along Artville Road in San Isidro, Talisay City in Cebu.
"When we found them, she and her puppies were lying on the side of the road with [a] male dog sitting near her guarding her," Gerald Cabinatan told GMA News Online in an e-mail interview.
Dog lovers Gerald and Honey Jane Cabinatan found Sweetcha and her puppies on the street, guarded by another dog.
While the puppies were healthy, the mother, now named Sweetcha, was otherwise frail and thin.
Cabinatan said he called up Cebu South Dog Club, a group that helps homeless and abandoned dogs in the province, to ask for assistance for Sweetcha and her puppies.
Cabinatan said he and his wife, Honey Jane—both members of the group—tried to move the stray dogs away from the street, but Sweetcha took her puppies back to where she gave birth since "she doesn't want to nurse her babies elsewhere."
They decided to create a makeshift shelter to protect her and her puppies from the rain and the heat of the sun, he added.
"As a temporary protection, we searched for whatever we could find and built her a little shelter. We found a canton box and few small pieces of plywood and used them to provide the shelter," he said.
The couple decided to place the canine family behind nearby water meters, fencing them in with pieces of plywood.
Cabinatan said he called up Cebu South Dog Club, a group that helps homeless and abandoned dogs in the province, to ask for assistance for Sweetcha and her puppies.
Cabinatan said he and his wife, Honey Jane—both members of the group—tried to move the stray dogs away from the street, but Sweetcha took her puppies back to where she gave birth since "she doesn't want to nurse her babies elsewhere."
They decided to create a makeshift shelter to protect her and her puppies from the rain and the heat of the sun, he added.
"As a temporary protection, we searched for whatever we could find and built her a little shelter. We found a canton box and few small pieces of plywood and used them to provide the shelter," he said.
The couple decided to place the canine family behind nearby water meters, fencing them in with pieces of plywood.
Temporary shelter behind some water meters.
But they decided to move Sweetcha and her pups back to where they were originally found because personnel from the water company might not be able to read the water meters. "She might attack," said Cabinatan.
"We had to move them back to where they were staying and add those plywood and used tarpaulin as their shelter," he added.
Doing well
Almost a week after they were found, Sweetcha and her puppies are now doing well with the help of the couple, the group and a few compassionate individuals.
"They are still there and they are doing good, there have been a few individuals who gave them food and water and are helping watch over the dog and her pups," Cabinatan said.
"We have received financial donations and we are going to use the money to make a strong little house for her, buy vitamins for the pups and food for the mom," he added.
Cabinatan said the dog house, which will be completed in three to four days, will be placed at the home of CSDC president Nyor Dodong Perido.
At the moment, they are prioritizing looking for people who are willing to adopt the puppies a month from now.
"We have no immediate plan for the mom, but we might take her in as well and we'll continue to feed the dogs left behind in the area," he added.
Eye for an eye
Cabinatan, who is a BPO agent in Cebu, said stray dogs are commonly seen as dangerous animals.
"Common misconception is that stray dogs are dangerous and will attack and bite people. That's not true," he said.
"Most, if not all, attacks are because it's either the person kicked the dog or provoked it to attack. It's called instinct," he added.
"If a person punches another person, that person will punch back. Same logic with dogs and humans."
In fact, Cabinatan said, homeless dogs are often victims of irresponsible dog ownership.
"They did not choose to live on the streets. They were forced to be there due to irresponsible owners. These should be addressed by the people living around a homeless dog," he added.
Cabinatan and his wife take care of 30 dogs, including 13 that used to be homeless.
Never abandon
If you are thinking of adopting or acquiring a pet, said Cabinatan, you have to ask yourself a few questions:
"We had to move them back to where they were staying and add those plywood and used tarpaulin as their shelter," he added.
Doing well
Almost a week after they were found, Sweetcha and her puppies are now doing well with the help of the couple, the group and a few compassionate individuals.
"They are still there and they are doing good, there have been a few individuals who gave them food and water and are helping watch over the dog and her pups," Cabinatan said.
"We have received financial donations and we are going to use the money to make a strong little house for her, buy vitamins for the pups and food for the mom," he added.
Cabinatan said the dog house, which will be completed in three to four days, will be placed at the home of CSDC president Nyor Dodong Perido.
At the moment, they are prioritizing looking for people who are willing to adopt the puppies a month from now.
"We have no immediate plan for the mom, but we might take her in as well and we'll continue to feed the dogs left behind in the area," he added.
Eye for an eye
Cabinatan, who is a BPO agent in Cebu, said stray dogs are commonly seen as dangerous animals.
"Common misconception is that stray dogs are dangerous and will attack and bite people. That's not true," he said.
"Most, if not all, attacks are because it's either the person kicked the dog or provoked it to attack. It's called instinct," he added.
"If a person punches another person, that person will punch back. Same logic with dogs and humans."
In fact, Cabinatan said, homeless dogs are often victims of irresponsible dog ownership.
"They did not choose to live on the streets. They were forced to be there due to irresponsible owners. These should be addressed by the people living around a homeless dog," he added.
Cabinatan and his wife take care of 30 dogs, including 13 that used to be homeless.
Never abandon
If you are thinking of adopting or acquiring a pet, said Cabinatan, you have to ask yourself a few questions:
- What is the purpose of acquiring a pet?
- Are you capable of providing its needs?
- Do you have enough knowledge to raise it?
- Are you committed enough to acquire a pet?
A makeshift shelter for Sweetcha and her family until their dog house is built.
"Having a dog is a lifelong commitment, it's like raising a child. Once you raise a dog, make sure you will be with your dog until its last breath," he said.
"Never abandon your dog, no matter what," he added.
Cabinatan said he is hoping that the day would come when there will be no more stray or homeless dogs roaming around anymore.
"There will be a time in the future that if no one will abandon their dog, there will be no stray/homeless dog roaming around," he said. — BM, GMA News
Photos courtesy of YouScooper Gerald Cabinatan
"Never abandon your dog, no matter what," he added.
Cabinatan said he is hoping that the day would come when there will be no more stray or homeless dogs roaming around anymore.
"There will be a time in the future that if no one will abandon their dog, there will be no stray/homeless dog roaming around," he said. — BM, GMA News
Photos courtesy of YouScooper Gerald Cabinatan
