This is almost everybody’s favorite phrase when it comes to ASPIN (ASONG PINOY) or ASKAL (ASONG KALYE): “ASKAL LANG NAMAN”

One morning,a person approached me asking what she should do with her dog who has been suffering from an illness for more than a week. I told her to bring her dog to my clinic so I can check it up and discuss with her what’s wrong with her dog. She asked how much does she have to pay for the consultation fee.When I answered, she blurted out: “Askal lang naman.”

I cannot comprehend why should there be discrimination among dogs, separating them into 3 groups: PUREBRED, MAY LAHI , ASKAL OR ASPIN. I am sad for the dogs. If I would put myself into their place, I would feel bad. Where my master is concerned, I don’t mind whether he has money or he has none. Even if he gives me morsels of his food, he is still my master and nobody could replace him. I rely so much on him because he is the only one I got. A lot of people might like me for being a good dog, but my loyalty stays with my master. Even if he does not treat me well and does not give me proper shelter for my well-being, I would stay by his side whenever he wants me to. He is my bestfriend…

The loyalty of a dog to its master is not governed by his breed, rather by his perception that his master is the leader and its unconditional love , regardless of the kind of person that we are or the kind of lifestyles that we have.  So let us be kind and give them the dignity they deserve.  After all, if they could talk and tell us “TAO KA LANG” we would feel bad.  No one has any right to bring anybody down.  So I hope we would refrain from saying “ASKAL LANG”

Thirteen years of being a licensed veterinarian, twelve years of being my own boss in my own clinic…I am wondering  if clients would still consider me a neophyte in the practice. My older colleagues, of course, have their edge.  My highest respect in the field are for them. But like them, my knowledge did not come from a book or more that I have read awhile ago. Nor did it come from an internet cafe.

It took me years: long hours of lectures and laboratory works, tons of books and reading materials, bottles of laboratory specimens, tongue-twisting scientific names of parasites, final hosts and intermediate hosts, brain-damaging clinical cases, blood-sweating exams, not to forget the licensure exam, before I finally became a LICENSED VETERINARIAN.  And my quest for knowledge does not end there.  For a vet like me, learning is a never-ending story.  I have a lifetime ahead of me attending conventions, seminars, meetings with my fellow vets and product launching.  My daily clinical cases keep me refreshed. 

I  appreciate people who knew our role in the animal world.  Furryluya!! God bless You.  Our instructors would be more than glad.  Their efforts are not wasted.  Thank you for respecting us and putting your trust in us in doing our wonderful job of saving helpless creatures in our changing world.  I am saddened by those who felt that they are far better than a licensed vet, who directly or indirectly insult our capabilities as vets.  Unfortunately, people listen to them when they talk.  They know a lot. Or so it seems.  Furthermore, they inject medicines and vaccines.  The worst, they charge.  Malpracticing veterinary medicine.

I hope my fellow colleagues would help me in my advocacy.  I need not state it in words…Just read between the lines.