Walking the Dog (Fort Bonifacio High Street)

If you love to see beautiful dogs, or beautiful dog owners, one place where you can see either or both, is at the Fort Bonifacio High Street at the Bonifacio Global City or "BGC".

Sarge - one of our five Chihuahuas

This street at the BGC is dedicated to high-end breeds of dogs usually walked by beautiful owners - Beagle, Chow Chow, Pomeranian, Poodle, Chihuahua, Husky, Retrievers, Pugs, Akita and a lot of more. Here, “walking the dog” is no longer just a “yoyo trick”. It has become the norm or fashion trend.  But sometimes I cannot help asking, when will I see a glorified “Aspin” or our native dog walked here? Anyway, since there are lots of dogs, this place is littered with pet stores selling pet accessories, some offering veterinary services, and some actually selling pets.

Last weekend, I brought my shorthaired Chihuahua named “Sarge” to this strip. She is about six months old, tan and white, vaccinated and registered with the Philippine Canine Club.   It was her first time to be walked at this posh street. 

We arrived at the BGC at 3 in the afternoon, but the sun is shining like it was noontime. It was hot! I bathed sweat. But despite the heat, I still saw a lot of dogs of different breeds and sizes. I also saw locals, foreigners and those attempting to look like either a local or a foreigner.

Again, it is Sarge’s first time to be walked at the BGC. I can see how she tried to adjust to her suddenly high-class environment. Her tail tucked between the legs, Sarge looked around as if observing everything in sight, smelled the piece of land and the grass and moved around. Well, we are ready for any eventuality as we had tissues and a plastic bag.

While seated under a tree with the shade, a kid, with a Shih Tzu, approached us. “A Chihuahua”, he said and Sarge kept barking on the Shih Tzu. Then a large Husky or an Alaskan Malamute walked by and Sarge continued to bark as if ready to fight with the Husky or the Shih Tzu – and this “false sense of greatness” makes the Chihuahua a very endearing dog.

At dusk, without the beautiful sunset, but with the view of magnificent buildings, I stayed in Starbucks, ordered my favorite Frappuccino, and let Sarge have her way.  While enjoying the Frappuccino several dogs proudly walked by their owners and wearing costumes passed by.

If you are a dog owner or lover, it is worth the time reading Republic Act No. 8485 (“Animal Welfare Act of 1998) as amended by Republic Act No. 10631 – these laws prohibit and penalize forms of neglect, torture and maltreatment of animals.  It further says that owners of cats and dogs may transport not more than five animals with a valid vaccination certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. Otherwise, a “shipping permit” from the Bureau of Animal Industry must be obtained together with the valid vaccination certificate. Thus, if you intend to walk your dog in posh malls or at this street, better bring your pet's vaccination certificate or that shipping permit depending on the number of your pets.

If you see dogs being walked, avoid being near the animal. According to an authority in law, “The possessor of the animal is not liable, if the victim is guilty of any act or omission which unnecessarily exposes himself to the action of the animal, whether or not he knows of its habits or vices. It is no excuse for him to say that he was merely observing, admiring or even caressing the animal, as the animal cannot appreciate his purpose. Thus, one who provokes a dog or enters another house at night and is bitten by a dog, or approaches a horse from the rear and is kicked by it, cannot recover damages.” (2 Cammarota 557-58 cited in V. Tolentino 530; Sangco, Philippine Law on Torts and Damages)

After coffee, I resumed walking Sarge and she resumed barking at other dogs.