JM Rodriguez roughs it up with Corky

Growing up in a house that always had a dog among its pets was what life was like for JM Rodriguez, who appears regularly on TV. He is part of the gagsters on Klasmeyts, a VJ on Studio 23 and host of On Air, a reality-based show.

"We have a booth in StarMall where people can come and do whatever they want for the On Air show. We get a lot of funny people and wackos, too," shares JM.

In truth, though, JM tells us that he actually started out in theater, his first love. He worked there for six years before TV came a-calling.

JM has been active on the TV scene for the last three years, but he makes sure that he has time to play a role on stage at least once a year.

"At this point in my life I have two loves: acting (whether on stage or TV) and Corky," he says of his pet Australian Shepherd.

"Corky is the best playmate I have ever had. I know that he enjoys playing chase," says JM. "I try to run as fast as I can, but he always beats me."

Corky, two, was a gift to JM from Osang Yulo, a dog breeder. JM is proud that Osang gave Corky to him, and did not sell the dog. JM says that Osang is not known to give her dogs away, but perhaps she saw a real dog lover in JM.

JM saw Osangs brood of Australian Shepherds and immediately fell in love with the way the dog looked – and the way the dogs played up to him. "I told Osang how much I liked the breed, but I did not ask for one," shares JM. "I guess it was a plus that Osang knew that Corky would have a lot of space to play in the compound where we live, and this is why she gave me Corky."

JM confesses that at the start, he tried to keep Corky indoors and went as far as letting him sleep in his bed. But Corky’s true nature could not be contained and JM had no choice but to let Corky stay outside, where he felt most at home. It is good too, JM says, that his cousin has a Labrador in the compound who has become the playmate of Corky.

"I have always loved dogs. I grew up with them at home in Bacolod," says JM. "I had four dogs in my lifetime and all of them were male."

Why male? He prefers the male dogs because he has noticed the females begin to look different after they give birth. And, because he grew up with male dogs he feels that he can rough it up more with them than he could with a female dog.

"But I can’t say this for sure, as I have never had a female dog. I know though that all the male dogs I have had have been great playmates," opines JM.

And what about the girlfriend?

"She has to be a pet lover for sure," says JM. "I am not at home with people who don’t like pets. It does not matter what kind of pet it is," shares JM.

Growing up with dogs and a dad who loved dogs were big influences in his life. His mom, though, JM admits, is not very fond of dogs and she has suggested to him many times that he try getting a cat instead. "I don’t like cats because they are very snooty and they are not loyal," quips JM.

Ok, just what kind of pet would JM never have?

"A hamster," he says with a look of disgust. "I don’t like them and the way they look."

But JM say that if he could, he would have a wolf, one that is taken from the wild so that he can try to tame him. A monkey would be good too, as JM says that they used to have one back home in Bacolod. And if it were possible, he would love to have a Koala bear. Or a Mynah Bird, a Tarsier, even a snake – just not a hamster.

Soon though, JM and his sister are moving to a condo and he is a bit saddened that he has to leave Corky in the family compound. "But the condo is so close to our compound that I will make time to play with Corky every day, no matter how hectic my sked is or will become," shares JM.

JM cannot imagine life without a dog in the house and as we speak, he asks about the best dog for condo unit dwellers. He has a few breeds in mind – Mini Pinscher, a Chihuahua, a Maltese terrier, just nothing too cute or that has to have clips, he says.

"This time I want to buy a dog and my sister and I have been searching for good breeders," he says. "I am not too comfortable about getting a dog from a pet shop. I guess it is because I don’t know any pet shop owners."

Really, JM says, dogs are the perfect playmates. I have so much fun with them. "I guess it’s a guy thing, being able to play rough with them. I have my sister to talk to and then I must have a dog to run around with," opines JM.

"I know, I don’t really talk to my dogs, but I love them truly."

So much does he love them that JM never chooses names which are dog sounding for his pets. "I prefer to give them names of people because I treat my dogs just like I do my buddies," shares JM.

Theater actor, VJ, TV host – these are some of the roles that JM plays with much success. But it is his being a lover of animals that he enjoys the most.

"I love Corky because he is a true bud. Just being able to run with him gives a high and a sense of freedom that I have not experienced anywhere else," says JM. "My life will never be complete without a pet, preferably a dog."