My new love

Drake is my latest heartthrob. I find him superbly gorgeous, with lean sinewy muscles and dark brooding eyes. Beneath this foxy physical appearance is the sweetest temperament ever. I get really gigil. Brushed regularly, his hair is soft and silky. He smells good — with organic cologne from Bow and Wow. His teeth are brushed daily and he uses mouth freshener. Physical attraction flourishes when your loved one smells good.

Sigh! He is just super-duper sweet! His love is unconditional. He complains when he is not being attended to. He doesn’t like being left alone. He is no pushover. He growls if you force him to do something he doesn’t want. Like if I want to keep him on my lap and he would rather be on the floor. Or when he wants to play and people are busy doing something else. ?I started my relationship with him about three months ago. So it’s a very current love. He is actually my son Roberto's dog. I got him as a birthday gift. But I fell in love with him at first sight. It’s the sweetness and unusual quietness about him.

This love is costly. He jacks up my electric bill because he is an Alaskan Malamute so he needs to be in the cold. After his daily walks he either stays in my Benj’s (my younger son) room since Benj likes really cold aircon. Or he stays with his premiere “father” Roberto, in the room or multimedia room. When the kids aren’t home, he stays with Mic Mic — his assigned nanny who dotes on him and is responsible for his manicured appearance. Their relationship is mutual: he keeps her in sight while she cleans the bedroom quarters. Wherever he goes there are electric fans to keep him cool, if he is not in air conditioning. My strict instructions to the household help: Love Drake.

Gabby Lopez with his Alaskan Malamute Diesel

His brother Diesel stays with my brother, Gabby. Our name for him is “Chairdog” because he stays in the chairman’s office, rides in the chopper, has been on a yacht. Karen, Gabby’s partner, has taken superb care of Diesel. When Diesel came to me two weeks after I got Drake, he was thin and unkempt. I cleaned him, fed him — tried to get him ready for my brother’s return from the States. When I next saw him about a month after Karen had him — he had ballooned in size. He looked really healthy and strong. Vitamins. According to Karen he was anemic. Vitamins and Karen and Gabby’s care: Diesel now hovers over Drake in size. ?When the two dogs meet it’s a sight to see how they play and frolic. One day together and Drake is totally wiped out when he comes home. He can’t even eat!

I have brought him several times to the Foundation building. I have read that dogs are very good for relieving stress. True enough, Ana, my senior office person, fell in love with him. He spread delight as he ventured to all the floors. Nothing like sweet dog energy to make people happy.?Tomorrow, I’m hosting a dog party in our village. Mic Mic invited dogs in our neighborhood to attend so he will have friends. I follow the instructions of Cesar Milan, the “Dog Whisperer.” He says that twice-daily walks of the dog are crucial to their emotional stability. Mic Mic has reported to me an invitation to a retriever’s party, and even from a lady dog who is living in front of us. My mother has had a dog party in San Francisco. Berta, my sister, has also had one. I have been told it is a lot of fun. I made sure to have a dog trainer to make sure they don’t fight with each other. So if any other owners of Alaskan Malamutes would like to come to the party, let me know.

The repartee I have with Roberto — Drake’s “father” — is amusing. I can already tell that if he has kids, he will probably be a disciplinarian. Roberto’s room is just beside mine. There have been several times when I heard Drake cry at night which has led me to go to Roberto’s room concerned. My son continues to sleep unperturbed and says, “Just leave him alone.” I insist, “But he is crying!” And I go to Drake’s pen and take him in my arms.” Roberto said: “Mom, you’re spoiling him!” Me: “He just wants to be hugged...”?Sigh... Different rearing philosophies. Whatever, as long as Drake continues to be loved by our household. My brother once gifted my kids with a purebred — but when he started clawing at the furniture, I decided this is not going to work. At its most serious, Drake has clawed at a pair of white sandals I really liked. But he leaves the furniture and the plants alone. He is sweet and uncomplicated. That’s the key: his sweetness tugs at my heartstrings.?Given his consistency, Drake will probably remain my love for a long, long time.

Before I go: The author Gina Lopez rests her head on Drake, her Alaskan Malamute, before she leaves for work.

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?BOWEN THERAPY

?After landing in Manila from San Francisco, I went straight on an adventure trip in Sibuyan. Now back, exhilarated but badly needing some rest, I agreed to a session of “Bowen Therapy.” At the onset, it seems really mild. Bowen works on the principle that the body can heal itself, it just needs to be given a little “push.” So the therapist presses key meridian points and alternates this with rest time, to allow the body to recapitulate. My mantra in all these things is, if it works, it works. So this one worked. Midway through, I felt a calmness descend, and I came out of the 45-minute session markedly peaceful. I then asked Vita (the therapist) to work on my son who was suffering from a knee problem due to intense workouts and basketball. Roberto is quite husky. I was impressed when he told me he felt much better. He is not easy to please. Vita has also been working on the children of Bantay Bata. Girlie Aragon, the deputy director tells me that the improvement is significant. The children are straighter and much more relaxed. Our cases are hard: one child has juvenile arthritis. Another child has very tense muscles probably because of all the abuse. So now he is so much more relaxed. Vita also teaches them how to breathe and how to relax. For our children, they continue to be tense long after they have been rescued. Girlie herself tried the session and said she felt very relaxed. When I was talking to Vita while yawning, she was quite pleased, saying that the session worked. The effect is one of deep sleep. Bowen is gentle in technique, non-invasive but very, very effective. I would strongly recommend it. Vita Clave’s cell phone number is 0919-2448840. The therapy place is: 5th Floor, Mega Atrium, SM Megamall. They do house calls. There is an international trainer coming on May 23. Just ask for info.

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I can be reached at regina_lopez@abs-cbn.com.