TITA Els Bautista asked me if I wanted a Labrador puppy. Of course, I immediately said yes. Two weeks later, I had an eight-week old chocolate brown Labrador (Aspin cross). “Nasalisihan yata,” Tita Els replied, when I asked if it was a pure lab. It did not matter! We had another adorable puppy as a new member of the family. At that time, we only had five-year Aspin Platy, the skilled “snake-killer.”
What’s in a name? It was difficult at first because there were so many names to choose from. Micu? Well, that sounded just fine. In fact, it was very apt at the time because my kids said, “Daddy, me kuto ‘yung puppy!” Mekuto... Meku... Micu. And the rest, as they say, is history. That was a good eight years ago. Since then, we had Platy, Micu, Platy’s several pups, Mumai (the original Aspin, RIP), Mister Chubbles (puggly, RIP), and Mumai (the Shih Tzu).
Last Friday, I brought Micu to be neutered. I heard several times from different people that neutering is best for our dog’s physical health. It totally eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and greatly decreases the likelihood of prostate enlargement and malignancy. Accordingly, neutering is also best for our dog’s behavior.
The medical procedure was made possible thru a group that call themselves “Kapon Pilipinas.” Micu was neutered free of charge. Kapon Pilipinas is a group of Veterinarians, paraveterinary workers and animal welfare advocates committed to bringing spay-neuter services anywhere in the Philippines. The group was formed by Dr. Wilford Almoro in 2018, after working for almost 10 years as a shelter veterinarian for a leading non-profit animal welfare organization. Since last year, Kapon Pilipinas has provided free spay-neuter services in Catbalogan, Samar; Bantayan Island, Cebu; and in Baguio City.
Neutered male animals result to them showing lesser aggression to other animals and/or humans especially during mating season. These animals are less likely to roam round looking for mates. Spayed female animals, on the other hand, have a lesser chance of developing mammary gland tumors, pyometra (infection of the uterus) and transmissible venereal tumor. The group encourages our fur babies to be spayed/neutered because pet overpopulation/unwanted kittens and puppies, more often than not, become the root cause of animal cruelty, neglect and abuse.
Thank you very much Kapon Pilipinas! The team was composed of the following: Dr. Wilford Almoro (Surgeon), Dr. Maripi Diaz (Veterinarian), Karen Farrales, Jam Casaul, Edd Valdez (Surgery assistants), and the team volunteers, namely: Erika Lim (Humane Education - “Ate ang cute mo magpresent and ang kulit mo pala, haha”), Sai Bajar, Cat Canonero, Irma Ballard and Dr. Oih Atxaga Eskisabel (“ang hirap naman bigkasin, hihi”).
Kapon Pilipinas - may your tribe increase!
“When you let your pet have litters, guess who pays?”
“Spay now or pay later, the interest is killing us.”
“I’m a responsible breeder. I don’t breed!”
“Pet over-population is from pet over-copulation! Neuter your pets!”