Mall that adopted 'Dogdog' explains decision to keep aspin: 'Pets are part of our family'

A shopping mall in Taguig City earned a lot of praise for showing kindness to a stray dog who has made the local shopping establishment his loving home.

The aspin named "Dogdog" went viral earlier this month after a netizen shared photo of him lounging around inside the air-conditioned mall and playing with a security guard, who later escorted him out in a friendly manner.

According to an official from Vista Mall management, "Dogdog" has been welcome to go in and out of the Taguig branch since he was spotted lingering around the site when he was very small.

It turns out that the good boy actually has his own shelter on the mall property, and he is very well cared for by the security guard who he was seen with.

It was even mall personnel who gave him the name "Dogdog."

"Nung dumating po siya doon, since mabait naman po siya [at] maamo, hinahayaan po talaga siya doon mag-stay," corporate marketting officer Bryan San Andres told "Dobol B sa News TV" on Monday.

"Hanggang po sa pinapakain na po siya ng mga mall personnel mga security guards [at] mga maintenance, hanggang sa naging kumportable na po talaga siya sa mall hindi na po siya talaga umalis," he added.

According to San Andres, being friendly towards stray animals is encouraged not only in Vista Mall Taguig, but also in other Vista Malls.

"Hinahayaan natin po silang mag-stay kasi nga po' yung management po talaga namin is very keen towards animals, kaya 'yung mga malls din po namin, pet-friendly po talaga siya," he said.

"So 'yung mga customers po, nakakapagdala po sila ng mga pets nila sa mga mall namin kasi nga po ang pets naman po talaga we consider them as part of our family," he added.

San Andres also assured mall-goers that they shouldn't worry about Dogdog because there has never been a single untoward incident reported in all the years he has been staying there.

The Taguig City Veterinary Office has also shouldered his shots and medical needs.

"Kumpleto po ng vaccine si Dogdog kasi po 'yung city vet po ng Taguig, very supportive din po sa pag-alaga dun sa mga kinupkop namin na dogs," he said.

"So regular na rin po silang napapacheck-up, nabibigyan namin ng vaccine, ng mga gamit, so alagang-alaga naman po sila, just like a regular household pet."

After going viral, Dogdog was officially adopted by the mall and was even given a "job" as an "honorary member" of their security team.

San Andres said they were even checking to see if the aspin could be eligible for official K-9 duties.

"Sa ngayon ang naaamoy palang niya sa mga bag ng customers ay 'yung mga pagkain," he joked. —Margaret Claire Layug/MGP, GMA News