Hunter's Dog House

22/01/2025

❗️PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT ❗️

𝗨𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗: 𝗥𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗖𝗥𝗨𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘-𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗩𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦

PAWS is down to its last 3 vials of injectable general anesthesia, essential for life-saving animal surgeries like amputations and vital spay/neuter (kapon) procedures.

The situation is urgent as we’ve already contacted the national supplier and distributor, but they have informed us that there is currently zero stock available in the country.

We have also reached out to other organizations that provide low-cost and free spay/neuter surgeries but they, too, are at a loss on where to source these supplies and may have to suspend their clinic operations soon.

While PAWS has already directly written to the drug company requesting the expedited importation of the anesthetic for compassionate use to help address the escalating problem of pet overpopulation and rabies in the country, we are now turning to posting this public appeal.

We urgently need help from anyone who can provide an immediate, legal supply of the injectable veterinary anesthetic so we can continue our clinic operations.

𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗦, 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗨𝗦 𝗔𝗧: [email protected] / 0905 401 2235

We thank you so much for helping us continue our life-saving efforts. 🙏🏻

31/12/2024

Happy New Year to all our friends! Wishing everyone good health, happiness, fulfillment, and prosperity in 2025! 🥳🥳🥳

29/12/2024

We tried to do the demo with Ryder so he’s more visible but he’s too heavy for the table and we feared it would collapse. 😅 Anyway, it’s India’s time to shine. This is her forte after all — staying still and looking regal for demos.
😍😍😍

On a serious note:

I dealt with a thunder and fireworks-phobic dog for almost a decade. Hunter was extremely fearful of loud noises. He would be so miserable, shivering, and cowering in fear at the mere hint of thunder or fireworks. He would often panic to find a hiding place. He had gotten stuck in difficult places before because of his need to hide. There is no “training” for phobia. It’s irrational. We have, however, learned about some training and management tools and techniques to help keep him calm and minimize his anxiety as best we can such as:

- taking long walks before the fireworks started so he’s already tired by the time NYE rolls around
- playing training games where his drive and focus was engaged and where he got rewarded with jackpot treats (think…lechon)
- using commercial calming aids like the Thundershirt and calming caps and DAP sprays and Rescue Remedy
- providing him a “den” underneath my desk and then dimming the lights, turning the a/c on full blast and turning on calming music for dogs

The fear never went away. It got better to some degree, but he was always afraid of thunder and fireworks until he passed. I didn’t get to join the family for media noche for 10 NYE celebrations because keeping Hunter calm and comforted was my priority. I don’t regret a single thing.

I thank the universe that Ryder isn’t scared of thunder or fireworks at all. India, however, is scared of thunder and fireworks but to a different degree compared to Hunter. Where Hunter’s response was flight (to run and hide), India’s response is fight. She would be barking at the thunder or fireworks ALL. NIGHT. LONG. She is stressed during NYE. So, I still utilize the tools and techniques I learned for Hunter to help India. Fear is still fear.

27/12/2024

Please don’t ring in the new year with firecrackers and fireworks. Use traditional noisemakers and torotot instead. Maawa naman kayo sa amin. 🙁

— India & Ryder (and all the other dogs and cats, both owned pets and strays who are deathly afraid of fireworks)

Fur-parents with animal rights advocate Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), environment group Eco-waste Coalition and animal lovers join the “Iwas Paputoxic” parade around a mall in Quezon City on Friday as they encourage the public to steer away from using firecrackers during the new year revelry which may be harmful to pets and other animals. (Photos by Miguel De Guzman/The Philippine STAR)

14/12/2024

LATE POST

Last December 7, Dr. Ryder went on his 2nd duty as an Angel Pet of DSWD this time at The Sanctuary in Mandaluyong, a DSWD temporary care facility for women aged 18 to 59 years old who are suffering from depression, schizophrenia, and other mental health conditions. Here they get treatment and therapy, as well as some skills and livelihood training, with the goal of eventually reuniting them with family and reintegrating into the community.

DSWD pre-selected the residents who would participate in the “Aruga Sessios” with the Dr. Dogs. We were so surprised to learn that the residents selected were the most stoic and least communicative, some non-verbal, because when the residents were with the Dr. Dogs they were so animated, chatty, and they loved to stroke, hug and kiss the Dr. Dogs.

I had some very touching (and heartbreaking at the same time) interactions with the residents. One resident said she was from Bicol so I started talking to her in our dialect. Another resident (the lady in the peach blouse) interjected that her family is also from Bicol. I spoke to her in Bicolano but she said (in Tagalog) that she doesn’t speak the dialect because she grew up in Manila and only visited during summers. She said she knew one Bicolano word though — kapay. My heart broke because that’s the word for crazy. It probably stuck with her because it was what everyone kept repeating. She said that’s what she was. I told her no, that’s not a good word and that’s not what she was. This is the harsh reality about mental illness — sometimes it’s your own family who can be the most cruel and not supportive about this illness. DSWD staff said this lady was very smart and graduated with honors from UP.

The two-hour session just flew by. The residents were so happy and DSWD was amazed at the impact the Dr. Dogs had on them. When we said that the Dr. Dogs would return, they all gave a cheer and pressed us when that would be. A couple even volunteered to es**rt us to our cars so they could wave goodbye to the Dr. Dogs. They had smiles on their faces, we had happy tears on ours.

Would you be interested in joining the PAWS Dr. Dog program? ❤️💜💚💜❤️

13/12/2024

If you think you and your dog are suited for this Dr. Dog/Angel Pet animal assisted therapy work, please send in your applications to PAWS. As a Dr. Dog volunteer for the last 12 years, this has truly been one of the most fulfilling work I have done. Witnessing the joy and comfort our dogs bring to patients of the program is a heartwarming and unforgettable experience.
❤️💜💚💜💚💜💚💜❤️

https://www.pia.gov.ph/dswd-paws-call-for-more-dr-dog-volunteers/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1vh3ftKEHjlCDNZDO5TXy07wI6qeictMd3CakDYEtxga0GFpDAMVX0l-w_aem_sNOs3oh1kKq-ZZJ1m74QBw

QUEZON CITY (PIA) – The Angel Pets program, a collaboration between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Dr. Dogs of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), provides more than just therapy; it fosters moments of joy, trust, and connection for individuals who often stru...

20/11/2024

LATE POST

Dr. Ryder went on his first official duty as an Angel Dog of the at the Marillac Hills National Training School for Girls last Saturday, November 16! Marillac Hills is a temporary shelter run by the DSWD for girls and teens in crisis. Most of these girls have been rescued from exploitation, trafficking, and abuse. We have to hide their identities because of their ongoing court cases against their abusers. Inside Marillac Hills, these girls receive education, skills training, spiritual guidance, psychological counseling, and now, animal assisted therapy and animal assisted intervention from the Dr. Dogs of .

Dr. Ryder was a big, furry, breathing, (drooling hahaha), and huggable pillow for these lovely girls. They were so gentle with him and he, in turn, melted under their hands. I swear I don’t know who’s getting therapy here more — him or the girls. ☺️

We will be providing this service to them and the other residential care centers of DSWD on a regular basis so the therapeutic effect on these residents can be measured. This is why we volunteered for the Dr. Dog program because we want to be even a small positive change in the lives of our patients. After all, love is the best medicine. 💜💜💜

31/10/2024

Nine years ago on this day, I met the bestest girl in the whole world! Happy Gotcha Day, you sassy little girl! 💗💗💗

26/10/2024

Jinkies! Somebody stole the Scooby Snacks! Ruh-roh. This mystery can only be solved by the Mystery Inc gang!

At the Woofy + Friends Hours: Halloween Edition event of and .ph. India came as the Mystery Machine van and Ryder came as Scooby Doo! India came in 5th place and won some yummy treats from .ph and a bandana from !

14/10/2024

The Angel Pets Project of and was officially launched at the 70th Anniversary of PAWS held last October 6 at SM MOA. DSWD partnered with PAWS in order to share the healing power of therapy dogs such as the PAWS Dr. Dogs to the residential care facilities run by the DSWD to help improve the psychological well-being and quality of life of the residents by integrating positive and enjoyable interactions through animal-assisted therapeutic and supportive processes.

Because this Angel Pets Project is a big undertaking, PAWS is launching a recruitment drive to look for qualified candidates to join the Dr. Dog program. We highly encourage our friends to consider joining because your fur baby can actually change lives. As a Dr. Dog handler and volunteer for the past 12 years, we can say that this is one of the most profound and enriching experiences of our lives. We found so much joy and fulfillment doing this volunteer work and we vowed to continue serving as long as I and my dogs are able to.

If your dog meets these criteria, YOU are the one we are looking for:

* must be at least 2 years old
* must be spayed or neutered
* must be healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations
* must have a happy and placid temperament
* must have basic obedience skills (handler must be able to manage and control their dog under any situation)
* must pass the Dr. Dog temperament evaluation test to be administered by the PAWS in-house behaviorist

If you’re interested in having your dog assessed, please fill up the Dr. Dog application form online at paws.org.ph and get in touch with PAWS through [email protected] to schedule the evaluation.

💜💚💜💚💜

[Special thanks to for the awesome portraits of India wearing her special DSWD Angel Pets red backpack. Since the Dr. Dogs are now going to be social workers albeit with four paws, they are also going to be donning red gear like the DSWD social workers who are known as the “angels in red”.]

12/10/2024

Same spot; different golden boys. Eleven years apart. 💗💗💗

08/09/2024

Late Post:

Yay! India was selected as one of the finalists of the Pet Supawstar 2024 search at the Pup-pawlooza event of ! The preliminaries were held last August 31. India donned her Princess Leia costume by and she was accompanied by her Ate Haven who looked properly dashing as a Jedi Knight. The Force was strong with these two that day. For the talent section, India and I demonstrated her agility skills, some standard tricks and her extra special tricks “Ah-choo, get me a tissue” and reading cue cards!

Our biggest thanks goes to and sponsors and for organizing this event! It was a lot of fun.

Thank you also to the sponsors .eahc and the Pet Food Institute for the prizes.

We are now preparing India’s finale costume and props and are working on some new tricks for the finals on the 28th of September. We’re coming in with guns locked and loaded. 😂😂😂

Wish us luck!!! 🍀🍀🍀

07/09/2024

Made the looooong trek to for the .ph! We had to drop by our favorite booths! Loaded up on treats from and .ph! Of course, mom can’t leave without chatting up a storm with Tito Migi of .ph. I got LOTS and LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of head scritches, chest scritches and belly rubs from all the people there! I’m like the toll booth collector: you can’t pass unless you pet me! 😂😂😂

01/09/2024

Name and Breed: India - American Cocker Spaniel
Theme:
Featuring: EzyDog FormFit harness



Henry C. Lim Cybele Javier-Manlapaz Ping Mercado

07/08/2024

The pretty little diva is 9 today! 🥳

It seems like it was just yesterday when this little firecracker came into our lives. I can’t believe that the little black furball has grown into this gorgeous girl with the big, loving heart and even bigger TALENT! We are so blessed to have you. We all pray for continued good health so we can achieve more milestones and have more adventures together with Ryder Wyder. 😍😍😍

Sorry momma has been busy with work. We will celebrate properly soon. 💗