Using a dog’s breed as a sign of its social status is not it.
Related: A Pet Isn’t Just A Gift You Can Hand Off To Someone, It’s A Big Responsibility
Being a dog owner is a big responsibility that requires time, patience, and understanding. And often, there’s a dog breed fit for everyone. At most, your dog’s breed should tell what kind of fur parent you are or the type of dog you’d want as your companion. But some people didn’t get the memo and instead have resorted to deeming a dog’s worth based on their breed alone. Dog discrimination in 2024? We could never.
NO ASPIN DISCRIMINATION
ICYMI, the popular Tagaytay restaurant Balay Dako is under hot water after a Facebook post from one of their customers named Lara Antonio went viral. In the lengthy post, she accused the establishment of turning away her Aspin named Yoda from the premises despite the restaurant being a “pet-friendly” place and the owner following the rules. When she asked the management why her Aspin was not allowed inside, they reportedly made up the reasons on the spot.
“So what’s clear to me is that THEY DECIDE. They’ll decide based on what your dog looks like. And then they’ll let you know just like that. Kasi kung 15kg talaga bakit pwede LABRADOR. Bakit may golden retriever dun sa photo na pinapakita niya of “dogs that are allowed,”” she wrote.
Following the rant, the backlash was swift to the point where Balay Dako issued a response, well, sort of. “As a company that loves animals, we understand the importance of accommodating pets. However, we must also consider factors such as spacing and the safety of all our guests. We are currently reviewing our policy to ensure it is clear, fair, and balances the needs of both pet owners and non-pet owners,” they posted on social media which was met with a decidedly mixed reaction.
It also should be noted that this isn’t the first time Balay Dako has been criticized for its pet policies. In 2023, the restaurant faced criticism from pet owners after they released what many considered subjective criteria on what pets are and aren’t allowed on site. What makes this whole situation of breed discrimination so ironic is that a Filipino restaurant turned away a native breed dog whose identity is tied to Filipino culture.
LOVING OUR OWN
It’s no secret that establishments, both then and now, practice clientele discrimination based on look and social status. That is wrong in itself, but to extend that elitist mindset also to pets deserves a bombastic side-eye. If restaurants and other establishments want to have a pet policy, that’s fine, but to turn away dogs just because of their breed or having to hide their identity behind the visage of being a mixed breed is not the vibe. It shows that discrimination is still alive and well this 2024 (which sadly is not surprising), and speaks to how deeming one’s worth and civility extends to the company you keep, or, in this case, dogs.
What’s particularly disheartening is how it also reflects harmful stereotypes and biases against certain breeds, especially ones native to the Philippines. “Love your own” extends to our animals. Who else will do that than ourselves? A dog’s breed should not be the only factor for their worth. All breeds deserve to be loved and accepted because if you think about it, is having a dog meant to be a sign of social status? The whole discourse on which dog breeds are inferior or superior based on arbitrary standards just doesn’t cut it.
yung aspin para makapasok sa balay dako huhuhuhuhu chz https://t.co/VUkPPRSLow
— seduced and abandoned (@trishtanHaHaHa) September 12, 2024
And for those of you thinking that all this discourse is just for a dog, note that the incident also bleeds into the mindset of how many Filipinos still see being local as a bad thing. To look down on native breeds is tonfeed that stigma of inferiority that is often associated with many things Filipino.
Aspins, as is with any dog breed, are worthy of being loved and cared for and no breed is and should be seen as class superior over the other. So, give your fur baby a pat like the good boy/girl that they are and, hopefully, establishments will come up with truly inclusive and non-discriminatory policies with regards to pets on their premises.
Continue Reading: 10 Ways to Tell You’re a ~Responsible~ Pet Owner
