Prima the aspin is now a beautiful dog
Pet owners often unconsciously judge a book by its cover. Given the chance to choose a pet to adopt, people often gravitate towards dogs from a beautiful, sophisticated breed, rather than adopting an aspin dog – mongrel dogs that are native to our country.
Not Weng, one of the volunteers of Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). One fateful day in December 2018 was all it took for her to welcome Prima the aspin to her home – a dog whom she had initially found in a helpless state, infested with lice and covered with scabs.
Prima the aspin when she was first found
Image credit: Philippine Animal Welfare Society
‘I heard a puppy crying because it was dumped in a nearby canal’
In a Facebook post by PAWS, Weng recounted how she found Prima and has seen through her metamorphosis, from a rugged, wailing dog to a grown, beautiful dog that she is now.
“Prima was the first dog I ever rescued. In December 2018, I heard a puppy crying [non-stop] because it was dumped in the canal near our house. Prima’s body was heavily-infested with lice and covered with scabs due to the lice bites,” she began.
Image credit: Philippine Animal Welfare Society
She would then travel back and forth from her residence in Las Piñas to Quezon City to bring Prima to PAWS for check-ups and vaccinations. Not having a car was an added challenge for Weng, but she would sneak the dog inside buses for a two-hour commute nonetheless.
Image credit: Philippine Animal Welfare Society
Fostering, then eventually adopting an aspin dog
After six months of fostering Prima, Weng was ready to let go of her for adoption. But her family, especially her sister Gena, had grown so attached to the dog that her sister was willing to officially adopt her for good. “But it was really my sister Gena who was eager to adopt Prima,” Weng continued.
Prima now boasts well-trimmed fur and happy eyes
Today, Prima looks as groomed as ever. From her poor state when she was found, she now boasts well-trimmed fur and a healthy demeanor. “The most noticeable difference with Prima is in her eyes. When she was first rescued, her eyes were so sad. But now, [they are] always so full of life!”
Image credit: Philippine Animal Welfare Society
While staying with her humans at home due to COVID-19, Prima has been her new family’s source of warmth.
Image credit: Philippine Animal Welfare Society
“Knowing that you have made a difference in someone else’s life, be it an animal or human, is all worth it. Prima[‘s] eyes will never be sad again,” Weng reflected.
Adopting an aspin dog to save its life
Stray cats and dogs are all over the streets and shelters of Metro Manila. If potential pet owners don’t adopt, most strays could, unfortunately, end up being euthanized instead.
Through adoption, you’ll not only earn a new best friend for a minimal fee, but you’ll also save an animal’s life by giving them a forever home.
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Cover image adapted from: Philippine Animal Welfare Society