DOG LOVE

I talk to him when I'm lonesome like, and in his eyes, it seems he understands. He looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands... Then he rubs his wet nose against my wrinkled sleeves, I just know he feels for me. Heck, I can buy more clothes that I want, but never a friend like that!

I was devastated when Bogart (pictured with me above), my pekingese, died a few years ago. He was a beloved pet, a loyal bestfriend, and of most of all, a good son. I cried relentlessly when he took a last breath lying in my arms. Few could not understand that instinctual dog-human connection. Until now, I long for my furry, little dragonball... In my heart, know he's up there - having sunshine days in doggie heavenland! 

Just like fashion, my love for dogs is boundless. But unlike clothes and stuff, dogs offer unconditional love and companionship. For everyone - dog owners and non-dog owners alike - loving human beings is difficult, unpredictable, and often disappointing. Dog love is safer, perhaps more satisfying: dogs can't betray us, undermine us, tell us they're angry or bored. Dogs can't leave.

The great pleasure of having a canine friend is that you can also make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too. Eventhough Bogart is no longer with me, the love continues as I now own 6 pets of various breeds in the household.

Tall & Beautiful: STEFFI, the Golden Retriever is the leader and the most gifted of the pack. VALERIE, the black Labrador Retriever, is the biggest and the most stubborn.

Mini Playboys: MARCUS, the chocolate mini pinscher, is heaven-sent - I found him lurking around somewhere. BRYANBOY, the chihuahua, unlike his fashion namesake, is a stud machine. He was given to us by photographer-friend Ken Go.

Small but Terrible: IMAN, the black dachshund, shows she can also be a black supermodel. On the other hand, VIVIENNE, the red toy poodle, is the newest canine baby addition to our family.

Our voiceless companions, dogs are like a blank canvas on which we can paint anything we wish. There are various kinds of dog love. Together with some friends who work in the fashion industry, we all agree that dogs are miracles that come with paws.

TANYA & HEKO:  Pretty model Tanya Scaife-Quirino is the third owner of Heko. According to her, he was abused by his past owners. He was found in a cage sitting in his urine and feces in a cage about his size. It was estimated by the SPCA that he was in his cage for the first year of his life! Says Tanya, "He is beautiful and has so much love to give! I have another dog now, Chloe, whom I was able to save from euthanasia from the shelter because she was not getting adopted. They both have so much love to give and surely unconditional love!"

LOUIS & YOHJI: I rarely see a Chinese crested dog... with blings, to add. Louis Claparols, aside from being a fashion designer and president of YDG, is a proud daddy of fashionista Yohji. Together with his partner Bobby Carlos, they own 3 more poodles that have starred in many pictorials and were inspirations for their former brands, Stella and Marni's Room. Louis, by the way, is also an active participant of PAWS.

CHERRY WITH DIEGO & SIENNA: Certain people treat their dogs like family members rather than pets - like the case of our good friend and makeup artist Cherry Pacheco (of Paul & Joe). She lavishes all the toys, food, activities, and affection on Diego (toy poodle) and Sienna (maltese), as if her children. I wouldn't mind this at all - these dogs are terrific and awesome, not to mention chic! In fact, these cuddly duo have made their way in the previous SM ad campaigns we did.

ANN & TOTS: Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. As for fashion model Ann Casas, she finds enough joy with her tiny chihuahua. Tots, according to her, is so loving and so kulit. He would often climb the bed and make siksik himself between her pillows!

ROBSON & BILLY: With the exception of women, there is nothing on earth so agreeable or necessary to the comfort of man as the dog. Take the case of this uber-hot, handsome Brazilian model Robson Mendes with his jaw-dropping St. Bernard puppy named Billy.

CEZ & PEPPER: One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you're feeling blue is that he doesn't try to find out why. Androgynous photographer Cez Jarlyn Young shown here with her adorable dachshund named Pepper. She looks like my pet Iman, don't you think?

JOUBERT WITH LYKA & DIESEL: According to research, men usually love dogs because they don't talk, which makes them the perfect pals. Ask PR guy Joubert Yao with his lhasa apso cuties, Lyka and Diesel. I hope to see the pair produce wonderful pups someday.

DIANA & PEACHES: Women are more likely to see dogs as emotionally complex creatures; it's disturbingly common to hear them say their dogs understand their moods better than their boyfriends. Beautifully exotic Diana Santos, one of our fave models, seem to agree as shown here with Peaches, her grumpy, lion-like Chow-chow buddy.

NATALIE & ELLA: Our dogs will love and admire the meanest of us, and feed our colossal vanity with their uncritical homage. Natalie Gaston (fashion merchandiser for Boys Teens Wear at SM Department Store) shows her affection for Ella, her 5-year old Chinese Crested dog.

ARA & ZEUS: Happiness is like hugging a warm doggie. Makeup artist Ara Fernando thinks so, together in this picture with Zeus, a 3-year old Finnish Lapphund.

KENNETH'S PRINCE & DIMSUM: Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies. Fashion designer Kenneth Chua must be all agog with these snappy creatures - Prince (a party-colored pomeranian) playing cards with Mr.Dimsum (salt&pepper mini schnauzer).

VALERIE & CALIMERO: There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. Stunningly beautiful model Valerie Weigmann poses with her favorite companion, Calimero, a 6-month old pomeranian.

LILIAN & YOKO: Huhuhu, I suddenly missed Bogart! Just like me, makeup artist Lilian Yeung believes that little pekes are a heartbeat playing at our feet. White as a cottonball, Yoko is her sunchild and a carefree little dragon!

Now people, if you can look at a dog and not feel vicarious excitement and affection, then you must be a cat! :-)