In many ways, aspins are truly Filipino. We ourselves are a mix of different lineages. We are resilient, we are brave.
Native, local, walang breed, asong kalye. This is how my dog Abigail and other dogs like her have been described especially by those who prefer dogs who have a “breed.” The aspin, or asong Pinoy is seen as a less-desirable dog.
I see this scenario play out time and time again in the animal rescue groups that I am a part of. When someone posts about an aspin in a dire situation that needs rescue or offers up an aspin for adoption, all the comments are tags of animal shelters and the ubiquitous “up.” When it is a purebred dog, there are so many comments from people who want to adopt.
The pedigreed dog probably even has an owner that is worried sick looking for it because, of course, no owner of a shih tzu, poodle, or husky in his right mind would allow their precious furbaby to wander about hungry in the streets. Contrast this to so many aspins scavenging for food in the trash or tied up on short leashes and with little food and water, tasked to guard a house or business establishment.
It is time to collectively take care of Juan’s best friend. Shelters are overrun. Biyaya Animal Care has around 1,600 animals in their sanctuary, Strays Worth Saving has more than 300 dogs at theirs. Adopt, don’t shop.
This is exactly what happened to my Abby. In the house we used to live in with my in-laws, she was kept in the backyard, tied to a gate with a heavy chain, and a crude shelter to protect her from the sun and rain. She was there as a deterrent for robbers and nothing more. Her mother, Papita, came from our neighbor who kept their whole litter in a small cage. It was her job to watch the front gate. They ate table scraps, sometimes even just rice with toyo. The two of them were never allowed to enter the house.
When we left, I made sure that they both came with us. I was heartbroken when Papi crossed the rainbow bridge two years ago. Abby, now a senior dog with a frosted face, is spoiled beyond recognition. Formerly skin and bones, her last weigh-in with a vet revealed that she is a chonky 13-kilo girl. She is thriving and living her best life with treats and toys on the side.
I have to add, she is so low maintenance too. My two poodles, rescued from a hoarding situation, have to be brought to the groomers at least every two months. Abby just needs regular baths and toothbrushing, which she patiently endures.
Love knows no breed
There is an uproar over Balay Dako restaurant in Tagaytay, which advertises itself as “pet-friendly” and yet refused patrons purportedly because the pet that they brought along was an aspin. The excuse given at restaurant reception is that the dogs allowed were only small to medium sizes, and the rebuffed dog named Yoda was simply too big, despite a post by a customer who was able to bring in a larger golden retriever.
Abigail and I are no strangers to discrimination. In a village where the neighborhood dogs range from dachshunds to beagles, and even a husky, we are the outliers. My pretty girl has been splashed with water by a neighbor who complained that she was barking too loudly, despite the fact that their dogs howl in unison. We don’t mind them, though. We go on our daily walks with her tail waving proudly in the air. After all, aspins are described as incredibly loyal, resilient, intelligent, and gentle.
The tide seems to be turning in favor of aspins, as since the Balay Dako controversy came out, many have taken to social media to post about their aspins in a bid to demand for equal treatment.
They are heroic too. Kabang, an adopted stray aspin from Zamboanga rushed to the rescue of his owner’s 9-year-old daughter and her 3-year-old cousin when they were about to be hit by a motorcycle. He bore the brunt of the impact and her snout was crushed. An international fundraiser was able to support life-saving surgery, and it was able to extend Kabang’s life. A statue in honor of her heroic deed can be found in the town of Pasonanca.
In the wake of recent destructive Tropical Storm Enteng, aspin Ching-ching kept barking among the rubble of a collapsed wall in Cebu. Residents discovered that she was barking to call attention to a baby lying among the debris. Ching-ching did not stop until rescuers arrived. Sadly, the News5 story relayed that while people left food and water for Ching-ching out of gratitude, no one has adopted her.
Another aspin, Hiro, was a hero to a fellow canine. In 2021, Hiro ran out of his compound into the streets, frantically calling for help for another aspin Joey, who was being attacked with a bolo knife. Because of Hiro’s heroism, Joey was rescued, nursed back to health and returned to his owner. Hiro was taken in by a shelter and was adopted out.
Juan’s best friend
The tide seems to be turning in favor of aspins, as since the Balay Dako controversy came out, many Filipinos have taken to social media to post about their aspin alagas in a bid to demand for equal treatment.
Even celebrities are not immune to aspin charms. Possibly the most spoiled aspin of all is actress Heart Evangelista’s rescued furbaby Maria Panda Ongpauco Escudero or Princess Panda for short. This celebrity dog has over 60k followers on Instagram. On one of Heart’s Parisian sojourns, she received a pasalubong of Gucci items including a designer pet harness that cost somewhere around P26,000.
It is time to collectively take care of Juan’s best friend. Shelters are overrun. Biyaya Animal Care has around 1,600 animals in their sanctuary, Strays Worth Saving has more than 300 dogs at theirs. Adopt, don’t shop, and support these animal rescues through donations. Conduct stray feeding in your community, or support stray feeders.
Agricultural NGO Rural Rising has started a program where you can order vegetables that will be donated to shelters. You are not only helping the farmers sell their vegetables, but you are also helping the shelters feed their rescues. Another important action to take is to urge your barangays to hold free spay/neuter services to curb the growing population of abandoned animals.
In many ways, aspins are truly Filipino. We ourselves are a mix of different lineages. We are resilient, we are brave. Let’s elevate the aspin to the superstar status that they deserve.
