Must love dogs

JR Ortiga, 26, is a computer engineer who works at Accenture, an information technology/consultancy firm. JR develops prog-     rams for making their firm run more efficiently.

“I’ve had dogs since I was eight years old,” says JR, who has been a dog lover all his life.  “It was my Mom who started me on my dog-loving ways.”

JR is one soft-spoken guy and his love for and relationship with Casper, a 13-year-old Cocker Spaniel, is quite fun to watch.

JR laughs as he shares that Casper was actually a dog that his Mom got for his brother. “At the start I did not mind her, but after a few months she grew on me.”

He had three dogs before Casper came along, all of them Shih Tzus. But because he had lost them to tragic events — two ran away and one was run over accidentally by his Dad — he had sworn off dogs until his Mom brought Casper home.

“Casper and I became buddies,” shares JR.

JR and Casper have shared the same room for the past 13 years and he wishes that Casper will live forever although he is well aware that Casper is on in his years. He refuses to think about life without Casper.

After 13 years, JR has gotten so used to the presence of Casper in his room that he would never have it any other way. Although JR has no plans of settling down anytime soon, he hopes that Casper will still be around to be part of his wedding entourage.

It’s a life of constant togetherness for JR and Casper. Casper knows all of JR secrets, and perhaps, JR also knows all there is to know about his most loyal and loving companion.

What do you love to do with Casper?

I sleep with Casper. I talk to her a lot. I like to ask her how she is all the time.

Has you relationship with Casper changed through the years?

Not really, it is still the same, we remain the best of buddies.  But now that she is older I have noticed that Casper likes to be with people who have food. Perhaps it’s because I am not home as often as I used to be.  When she was younger she would come when I called her.

Is Casper spoiled?

Yes, I spoil her a lot.

What is the biggest treat you’ve given Casper?

She has had a birthday party twice here in our house.   We had spaghetti, fries and burgers. Casper eats anything — people food and dog food.

What is her favorite table food?

She loves beef jerky.

Does she speak Chinese?

She knows the word “come” in Chinese. At least that is what we think because when we make the hand signals and say the Chinese word for come, she approaches us.

Does she have a Chinese name?

No, she doesn’t.

Now that you have a girlfriend, does that affect your relationship with Casper?

Casper accepts my girlfriend if she has food. It is a requirement for me that my girlfriend likes dogs.

Have you ever brought Casper to church?

I want to. But I know that dogs are not allowed inside the church. I have never tried to bring Casper to church, though.

Being in the jewelry business, have you ever tried to teach Casper about jewelry or famous artists?

No, she doesn’t care about that. She only cares about food. To her, food is more important than jewelry or Bencab or famous painters.

What is the worst thing that Casper has ever done in your house?

She peed and pooped on a very expensive Persian carpet.

What is the best thing that Casper has ever done for you?

I remember my Mom used to play a trick on me and Casper. She would pretend that she was hitting me. There was one time when Casper stood between me and my mom and started barking at my Mom.  I guess it was her way of protecting me.

Did your Mom hit Casper instead?

No, she stopped pretending.

What is the most important thing you have ever done for Casper?

I cancelled a date and an outing for her. The date I cancelled because she got sick suddenly and the outing because it was her birthday.

What is the best thing that you and Casper do together?

We just hang out. I like to feed Casper and play with her at night. I like to scratch her back because she likes cuddling.

Have you ever thought of getting another dog?

No. After Casper, I don’t want to think about it.

Who do you love more, your girlfriend or Casper?

That is actually a million dollar question that I have no answer for. But, right now, I love them the same. I can’t chose one over the other.

If you were in a ship and it was sinking and you could save only Casper or your girlfriend who would you save?

I would save my girlfriend first but I would swing in the direction of Casper so that she would be able to reach Casper and save her, too. I hope that the ship would not have sunk yet by the time my girlfriend reaches Casper.

Does Casper know how to use the computer like you? 

I have actually let her touch the keyboard a few times.

Does she know how to make programs like you?

No, she doesn’t. But I have made an e-mail account for her.

Does she get a lot of mail?

She has a Friendster account with her picture and her profile.  I got her an account because I want her to be exposed to the dogworld on the Web.

Do you think that girls are attracted to guys with dogs?

To a certain extent, maybe.

Would you take Casper out to attract a girl?

Right now, not anymore. But it was a good idea when I was younger. 

Have you ever tried to use Casper to get a date?

I brought her to Tiendesitas once when it was her birthday. A few girls approached me and asked me about Casper. It was fun.  

When is Casper’s birthday?

Feb. 15, 1995.

Will you have anything special for Casper’s birthday?

I hope to have a bigger birthday celebration. And invite more friends and also the Shih Tzu of my girlfriend.

Any advice for pet owners?

Spend a lot of time with your dog. Not money, just time. Try to meet someone who likes dogs because they are normally very caring.  If a person can care about animals I believe that they can care even more about people.   — KATHY  MORAN