SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014 Sunday Lifestyle The Philippine STAR H-3

PAWS holds ‘Linggo ng Aspin’ ‘The Bow & Wow Times’ on In April 2010, the Philippine Animal Welfare So- the food and health connection ciety (PAWS) Aspin Club was formed with the goal Dogs, just like hu- of improving how Filipinos view and treat native mans, can be afflicted and mixed-breed dogs by celebrating their unique with numerous health characteristics and helping people make the right issues other than pes- choice — the choice to adopt aspins from shelters ky fleas and ticks that and pounds or rescued off the streets. can cause allergic re- PAWS coined the term “aspin” to replace the term action. The latest is- “askal.” The latter, which is short for “asong kalye” or sue of The Bow & Wow “street dog” was viewed as a more negative term as Times zeroes in on it assumes that it is acceptable for dogs to be left on fact that your beloved the streets to fend for themselves. pooches can develop “In the early days, laging itsa-pwera ang native illnesses as a result dogs. Hindi sila pwedeng sumali sa purebred clubs of poor nutrition and like the Shih Tzu Club or the German Shepherd Club. Wala ring activities. Hindi pwedeng sumali sa chemicals in things dog shows,” PAWS executive director Anna Cabrera they end up ingest- narrates. “Yung mga aspins, naging bantay lang ng ing. bahay, nakatali — which is wrong. Dogs are social C a n i n e h e a l t h animals. They are part of the family and should not rests a great deal on spend their life tied or chained.“ the attention and PAWS officers were unanimous in their decision care pet parents give that, aside from their current education and outreach them. As The Bow programs, there was a need to create an exclusive & Wow Times edito- club for aspins so that aspin owners would feel that rial stated, “Unlike they belonged to a community and that they would h u m a n s , p e t s d o be encouraged to bring their native dogs out more not make their own often to socialize them. food choices and Since its launch, the PAWS Aspin Club has already rely solely on their organized an agility event and pet-pampering day, pet parents to nour- participated in dog walks against animal cruelty ish them well. As pet parents, forma- and hosted several lectures promoting responsible it is our full responsibility to make tion. Also a must-read is the feature pet ownership. healthy food choices for our dogs article listing the “Top 10 Signs of On Aug. 31, PAWS teams up with Eastwood City and cats.” Cancer in Pets.” to mount its biggest event yet — the “Linggo ng Flip the pages of The Bow & Wow For some dietary tips that aid in Aspin” — a day when native and mixed-breed dogs Times to find very helpful articles, giving a beautiful luster and sheen can participate in fun activities amidst a fiesta-like including “5 Telltale Signs of Poor to your canine friend’s coat, peruse setting at the Eastwood Central Plaza. Major sponsor Pet Nutrition” and “What’s In Your the article, “Improve Your Pet’s Coat is Pet One while minor sponsors are Frontline Plus and Betterdog. Pet’s Food?” Poor nutrition of animals Through Nutrition.” Main highlight for the day is the fun race can lead to serious health issues like Bow & Wow is located at level where owners and their pets will go head to Let the Aspins out: The Philippine Animal Welfare Society nerve & immune disorders and other five of Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Man- head to complete a challenging obstacle course holds Linggo ng Aspin on Aug. 31 at Eastwood City. degenerative diseases. Browse the daluyong City; at the lower ground in the shortest amount of time. Aspins are also sense, and hopes that their Aspin Club events will write-up on “How Poor Nutrition floor of Greenbelt 5, Makati City; encouraged to come in their best Filipiniana change all that. Leads to Ill Health in Animals” for at the second floor, Al Fresco, Rob- attire and vie for the title “Ginoo and Binibining The registration fee of P350 for non-PAWS Aspin a heads-up on how insufficient life- insons Magnolia in New Manila, Aspin.” Exciting prizes await the winners. Club members and P150 for members includes a sustaining nutrients in commercial Quezon City; at the ground floor, With this event, PAWS hopes to awaken that shirt, a dog bandana and freebies from sponsors. dog food can eventually snuff the life Excelsior, Eastwood City, Libis, sense of national pride in Pinoys and at the same The registration table for the race opens at 2 p.m. out of your pet. Q.C. and at the newly-opened third time make Filipinos realize that native dogs are while the “Ginoo and Binibining Aspin” contestants Can you tell if your pet has a food floor, New Wing of Ayala Center in just like them — a mix of many nationalities or can sign up starting 3 p.m. Bring your dog’s updated sensitivity? Turn to the informative Cebu City. “breeds” but still uniquely beautiful and intelli- vaccination records. article is “Is Your Pet the Sensitive For information, visit www. gent. PAWS sees the aspins as one of the nation’s For information, call 475-1688 or or e-mail phil- Type?” for some handy tips and in- bowandwow.com.ph. most overlooked treasures, an underdog in every [email protected]