
Owning a pet has evolved over the years, from having someone guard your house to bring them everywhere you go. Some pet owners even prefer to be called as fur parents, and their pets as fur babies. While most still treat them as regular dogs, a few would go above and beyond to provide their fur babies the VIP treatment. After all, they are considered family, so they will receive nothing but the best.
We talked to three fur parents and they opened up about their relationship with their dogs, how much they spend for them, and how they deal with naysayers.
Drex Oarde-Azcueta, fur mom to nine Shih Tzus and one beagle
Taking care of ten dogs isn't a problem to Drex Oarde-Azcueta, an engineer for a telecom company.
"They are my babies! I treat them like they are human. I talk to them, let them sleep with me and my husband in our bed, go on trips with them, and even throw a doggy party for them," she shares.
She adds, "I love pampering them. It's like my way of showing how much I love them. For me, money is not an issue because I can earn it anyway. But when I lose them, I lose them forever."
Together with her husband JP, Drex recently threw a doggy party for her babies in a dog cafe. "I recently threw a doggy party for them at Bark Central in Eastwood. I rented almost the entire place for my dogs and our human guests. It was complete with food for both humans and dogs, and our dogs were able to play at their indoor doggy park."
Aside from birthday parties, the dogs also receive other gifts. "I buy custom-made doggy clothes for them such as Disney princess costumes, go on vacation with them, buy them toys and dog beds, and join doggy runs."
As for those who think they're going overboard, Drex just brushes them off. "They do not have any idea of how much happiness and fulfillment my babies give me."
Ems Vega, Wheng Tuando, and Mitch Orinday, fur moms to three Shih Tzus
BFFs Ems Vega, Wheng Tuando, and Mitch Orinday started their fur mom journey when Ems and Wheng got Potch, their first Shih Tzu, as a Christmas gift to Mitch in 2010.
"Since we live together, Potch then became our little bundle of joy. After four years, we had Sofia. Then Potch and Sofia had their puppies, so we had Patchi," Ems explains.
"We have developed a strong bond with them like that of a mom to her children. It is a lifetime commitment of love and responsibility.
"We don't see them only as pets but like babies who need our time, attention, love and care especially when they get sick. They sleep with us in the room, we provide high-quality food for them and make sure they get the vaccines that they need.
Like Drex, Ems and her best friends also hold birthday parties for Potch, Sofia, and Patchi.
"We make sure that each has a birthday celebration every year, be it simple or grand. As much as possible, we go to pet-friendly beaches, hotels. and restaurants so we're always together.
"The most expensive thing we spend on is their first and seventh birthdays. We made it extra special by inviting their furry friends, and even spent on giveaways and prizes. We held it in a restaurant. and we also rented a clubhouse.
"As of now, we spend a lot on Sofia's medication and surgery for the removal of her bladder stone. Their health and well-being is the most important thing so we're willing to spend for them no matter the cost."
Ems also shared that some people found them crazy and weird for treating their pets this way, but eventually understood why they do it.
"We just smile at them and tell them the dogs are like babies to us and we love them. And I guess eventually, people around us learned to accept and understand our relationship with them. Our family and friends now see them as part of the family, too."
Gayle Razon-Trimachi, fur mom to a Russian Samoyed
London-based fur mom Gayle Razon-Trimachi only had Russian Samoyed Luna two months ago, but she and her husband Stefano have been treating her like royalty.
"Living in London can be quite expensive, so we try to keep a doggy budget for Luna. She loves chicken, yogurt, watermelons, strawberries, carrots, and of course, treats. Food alone can be really pricey.
"We have pet insurance for Luna that we pay monthly in case of any accidents or illnesses. We are both on full-time jobs, so on our working days, we bring Luna to the doggy daycare which we pay daily. We spend on her mainly because she's family. She makes us really happy and you can't put a price on that."
The couple also loves to travel, so they got Luna a British pet passport so she can go with them.
"We are currently on a European trip with Luna. We have been in the French countryside, Swiss Alps and now in Italian lake districts. We are planning to bring her to Paris on the way back to London so she can see the Eiffel and the Louvre," she amusingly shares.
Gayle admits that traveling with Luna is expensive, having to choose pet-friendly hotels and transportation.
"We drove all the way from London to Italy, booked hotels which allow pets. They were really pricey. We spent almost £1,000 alone on hotels, £500 for petrol and toll tickets, and £300 for the ferry from Dover, the UK to Calais, France.
"People think we are mad for spending quite a sum on her. However, they change their opinion once they see Luna. They then understand the lifestyle that comes with it.
"I guess Luna proved to be a good example of a happy doggy, happy family. Yes, she comes with a big price tag, but we don't see any regrets, only upsides and happy times."