Christian Bables recounts dog Vanya's journey from rescue to endorser
MANILA, Philippines — Actor Christian Bables is one proud fur daddy after his dog Vanya joined him as an endorser for a pet supply brand.
In an Instagram post published last March 21, Bables recounted how he first came across the dog and how she eventually became a celebrity endorser like him.
Bables first saw Vanya just wandering around a forest reserve in his village, her hair patchy and full of ticks and flea, and nearly unable to open her eyes.
"Hindi ko alam kung anong breed siya, I even thought na puppy lang siya kasi maliit. Mahina siya pero pinipilit niya kami sundan sa paglalakad namin," Bables recalled.
The actor then asked his neighbors and nearby authorities if there would be anyone who would claim her. One girl holding a Shih Tzu apparently expressed disgust at seeing Vanya, which really put Bables off.
"The dog was very sweet and fragile. Sa buong time na hawak ko siya, wala siyang tigil sa pag-lick ng hands ko," said Bables, admitting that his heart squeezed a bit just remembering that moment.
In the end, Bables decided to keep the dog himself, vowing to make sure she'd get a good life like his other pets, and learned after a visit to a veterinarian that she was a year-old Pomeranian.
Bables decided on the name Vanya which roughly translates to "heaven-sent" or "a gift from God." After getting her back to good shape, he adored Vanya even more. Now, Vanya is an endorser with Bables for the same brand that the dog consumed on her road to recovery.
The actor finished his recollection with a quote by German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, "Compassion for animals is intimately connected with goodness of character; and it may be confidentially asserted that he who is cruel to animals cannot be a good man."
Bables most recently appeared on Prime Video's "Ten Little Mistresses" and the drama show "Dirty Linen," and earlier this week became the first-ever male celebrity Star Patroller on "TV Patrol."
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