A cager’s best friend

It’s almost a stereotype: big men and their dogs. In this case, basketball players and their canine pals. You probably assume that the dogs are there to add to the machismo, that the dogs are accessories for showing off, just like the bulky four-wheel drives and the flashy diamond-studded bling. But you assume wrong.

For PBA players Don Allado, Brandon Cablay, and William Antonio, having dogs as pets works for the usual reasons: companionship, loyalty, unconditional love, and the fortunate incapacity to talk back. These pooch pets are considered kin, short of inclusion in the family tree – well-loved, well-fed, and spoiled as if they were their own child. Which isn’t exactly a far-off comparison – these dogs have been with their ballplayer owners since a couple of months after birth. They’re four-legged offspring, the unofficial first-born, the comic relief after a hard day of practice, the one that will never criticize if you only scored in single digits in the last game.

If there is a stereotype here, it has to do with that particular tradition that insists every boy needs a dog growing up, or that every man needs a dog to accompany him into old age. And there’s nothing too showy or overly masculine about that.

Besides, if being macho was the point of owning a dog for these big men, then they wouldn’t have chosen a tiny Pomeranian, or admitted that a Boston Terrier can beat them in sprints, or named their dog Twinkle…

William Antonio

Pet: Six-year-old Pomeranian named Wufi

How long have you had your dog?

Six years.

How do you bond with your dogs?

Wufi has been sleeping in the bed with my wife, Ana, and me ever since we got him. Until now he still sleeps with our kids and us. We used to take him to the beach and he would love it, although we had to often stop because he gets carsick on long rides.

Wufi is always beside us and loves to cuddle. He follows us wherever we go in the house.

What is he getting this Christmas?

Hmmm... maybe his own bed because, with the entire family in the same bed and Wufi at our feet, he always falls when someone moves. And maybe new bowls for his water and food.

What are your dog’s favorite treats?

Tocino!

What are his quirkiest traits?

If you blow air in his face, he falls asleep. He also falls asleep if you carry him a certain way and whisper his name like you are hypnotizing him.

How are you and your dogs alike?

We’re both loyal and love being around the family.

Does he do anything that drives you crazy? How do you deal with it?

He likes to get a little "too close and intimate" with visitors who come to the house so we just apologize to our visitor and explain that Wufi doesn’t get to socialize too often – then we hide him in the room for the time being. Poor Wufi!

Don Allado

Pets: A year-old Japanese Akita called Big Show, and two-year-old Labrador Retriever named Twinkle

How long have you had your dogs?

I’ve had my Labrador for two years, and my Akita for a year.

How do you bond with them?

I feed, walk and play with them.

What do you plan to give them this Christmas?

A big, fat juicy steak each!

What are your dogs’ favorite treats?

Bones!

What are their quirkiest traits?

The Japanese Akita loves to destroy my garden. The Labrador, on the other hand, is very malambing.

How are you and your dogs alike?

We’re all both alert and moody.

Do they do anything that drive you crazy? How do you deal with it?

The Akita loves to mess around with my garden and get muddy. When he does, I tie him up or I raise my voice and tell him to stop.

Brandon Cablay

Pet: Two-year-old Boston Terrier called Maui

How long have you had your dog?

He was a Christmas present to my wife two years ago.

How do you bond with him?

By "rough-housing" and playing catch with him.

What is he getting this Christmas?

Maui gets toys and bones – anything chewable.

What are your dog’s favorite treats?

Bacon—flavored Beggin’ Strips or people food, when he can get hold of it.

What are his quirkiest traits?

Maui thinks he is as fast as lightening! He will sprint back and forth trying to get me to play with him. Or he will wait at the bottom of the stairs until I get halfway up, then he runs as fast as he can trying to beat me to the top.

How are you and your dogs alike?

We both like to bother my wife!

Does he do anything that drives you crazy? How do you deal with it?

He sometimes uses the house as his personal comfort room instead of the outdoors or his pee-pad. He is supposedly potty-trained so when he does this, he gets in big trouble.

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E-mail comments to ana_kalaw@pldtdsl.net.