Name (required):

  Expression ^{(Optional mood/title along with your name) Examples: (happy, sad, The Joyful, etc.) help)}

  E-mail address (optional):

* Type your message here:
>George and the Songbird >DOG DAZE By Kathy Moran >The Philippine STAR 11/05/2005 > >++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >What?! You picked another dog, Regine? Oh.. This one >is an actual dog for once. That's better. hehe.. ;-) >+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > >I love George," says Regine Velasquez, better known as >the Songbird, >of her six-month-old Toy Shih-Tzu. "I got him as a >gift from Jaya." > >Crazy about George is what best describes Regine's >fondness for her >new constant companion. She takes George everywhere >she goes. Matter >of fact, Regine has found out that there are many >establishments >where George is not allowed entry – something she is >sad about. But >that does not stop her from trying to get George to >gain entry. > >"One time my family and I went on a vacation in >Baguio. I was so >concerned that they would not let George stay in the >hotel," recalls >Regine. "But I asked the manager of the hotel and told >her that >George was just a small doggie. She agreed." > >And then there is Rustan's Makati which Regine vows is >pet- >friendly. "Everyone there knows George. They even >asked to have >photos taken with him," she says. "When I go there for >my clothes the >staff greet George first than me." > >Dogs are not new to Regine who grew up with them. But >she remembers >that about seven years ago all five of their dogs were >killed because >of an epidemic that broke out in their home. Since >then her Mom >refused to get pets anymore because she was >heartbroken when the dogs >died. > >Among the five, Regine shares that her favorite was >called Askal, a >native dog that looked like a St. Bernard. "I even >taught Askal how >to kiss," laughs Regine. "When he was small he would >sleep in my room >but when he got bigger he had to stay outside. Every >morning, he >would come upstairs and give me a kiss." > >Two years ago, Regine was given a Labrador Retriever >who she called >Yellow. But it was hard to care for Yellow so she >chose to give >Yellow back to her friend. She still sees Yellow every >now and then >and is glad that Yellow is happy where she is. > >George is another story. > >Jaya gave George to Regine as a birthday gift last >April. And for >Regine, it was love at first sight. > >Naming her new pet George was easy. Regine wanted to >name her dog >like she would a person, not those cutesie names that >people give to >their pets for her. She chose George because "the name >is cute." > >"He is smart," enthuses Regine, citing that it was the >easiest thing >to toilet train George. Regine swears that she just >had to show him >one time where he was to pee or poop and then after >George knew it by >instinct. > >George is also Regine's bed mate. And a great bed mate >he is. Regine >is fascinated by how George never wakes her up from >slumber. He waits >till she is good and ready. That is, of course, unless >he needs to go >before she is up. "When he has to go he scratches my >head (making >kuto-kuto)," she shares. "I know then that it is time >to let him >out." > >But there is one thing that George does not like about >Regine. That's >her singing. > >George howls and barks when Regine starts singing. >Regine can only >laugh. "I guess he does not like the high notes that >my voice hits," >she explains. "But when I sing to him a lullaby in a >playful voice, >he loves it." > >This is why Regine has yet to teach George how to >sing. She thinks >that George might make a better actor or dancer one >day. > >And George is not pleased when Regine is angry. He >then extends his >most sympathetic self to her. There was a time when >Regine was on the >phone in her room and she was upset. George went up to >Regine and >started scratching her to check what was wrong. "He >even lay his head >on my neck," she adds. "When I finally calmed down, he >was OK and he >went back to sleep." With George there are some rules >that Regine has >to follow. He does not like the lights on. No music >and no eating of >snacks either. "But I have been able to get him used >to my watching >some TV shows," says Regine. > >A superstar in the making is what George is. Regine >says she has had >to apologize to her Dad because now when she arrives >people look for >George. In the past, says Regine, when people saw her >Dad they knew >she was there. Now it's George. But it's nothing to >worry about >because both Regine's parents consider George an apo. >Godparents, >George has four of them. Jaya, Darling de Jesus, Pepsi >Herrera and >Pinoy Pop Superstar director Louie Ignacio. > >"Monday's are taping days for Pinoy Pop Superstar and >on these days >direk and I bring our dogs along," shares Regine. "It >is so much fun. >But I think direk feels that George is more the star >of the show than >I am." > >Regine does not mind that George gets so much >attention. He's got the >charisma, she assures us. Regine goes as far as saying >that she has >not met anyone who did not like George. Every one she >knows is crazy >about him. > >And just like a true stage mother, she plans to >include George in her >ongoing concerts. "I have already had a tux made for >him," she >quips. "But what he will do onstage and when he will >appear, those >are the surprises." > >Reflections is Regine's concert which she is directing >and starring >in. Regine promises to sing the songs of old which >have made her the >great singer that she is today. Regine will share the >stage with Kim >Flores, Jonalyn Viray, Ai Ai de las Alas and Hannah >Velasquez-Mitra, >Regine's niece who will play the role of the younger >Regine. Also >included in the show are saxophonist Jacob Sarreal, >violinists Joseph >Valdes and Paula Gutierrez and cellist Pocholo >Gutierrez. > >But the real star for the night will be George. She >laughs and says >that he may not like all the singing. > >Dog or boyfriend? > >To this Regine says that she considers George more >like her child. >Although Regine says that if she were to be in a >relationship she >would prefer that her man be a pet lover. "Paano na si >George?" she >asks. "I think that if I sense that he does not like >George it might >be better not to start anything." > >From the way the interview goes on it seems that >Regine has eyes only >for George. "Please make sure that he gets a solo shot >in our >article," she says to me. "After all, this is about >him, not me." > >We nod. George is a real cutie. > >"This is the first time for me to experience this kind >of closeness >with a pet. I am glad that George is part of my life," >says >Regine. "And I know that even if I love him with all >my heart, he >will love me back even more. George will never look >for anyone else. >He will always be faithful. Dogs are magical >creatures." * * * > >Regine's concert "Reflections" will be held today and >Nov. 11, 12, 18 >and 19 and Dec. 9 and 10 at 8:30 p.m. at the Aliw >Theater. Tickets >are available at all Ticketnet outlets at all SM >Shoemart branches. >For more information, call Aria Productions at >926-7868 and 426-7531. >----- > > > >But why did Regine pick the name "George" for her pet >doogie? >The Music Inside Buzz Stories think they know.. stay >tuned. ;-} > > >=============== >rv_thebirdnest · Regine Velasquez Fans Bird Nest Group! >http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/rv_thebirdnest/ >====================================

Notice: Copies of your message may remain on this and other systems on internet. Please be respectful.