Press Release
July 14, 2019

De Lima misses her adorable pet dogs

Senator Leila M. de Lima may have recently grown fond of the stray cats in her detention quarters, but she could not deny her yearning for her adorable pet dogs that, except for one, she has not seen for more than two years now since her unjust detention.

De Lima, who has an undeniable soft spot for dogs and cats, recently penned a reflection in her Dispatch from Crame No. 554 sharing that she misses her 10 dogs.

"My staff gave me framed photos of my 10 dogs, my adorable pets, which I now display on my table here in my detention quarters. After more than two years of not being with them, except 'Coco' who would sometimes visit me, I see that the rest of them have grown so much," said De Lima.

"Pero ang hindi talaga nagbabago: sobrang cute pa rin nilang lahat. Bukod nga sa pamamalengke at pagluluto, isa sa mga nami-miss ko ang pag-aalaga at pakikipaglaro sa kanila," she added.

Coco, an 8-year-old Japanese Spitz recognized for its thick fur and playfulness, is De Lima's favorite furry companion, who notably made headlines in March 2017 when he visited the Senator shortly after she was illegally detained at Camp Crame.

Aside from a Japanese Spitz, De Lima's dogs include labradors, jack russels, chihuahuas and dachshunds.

The lady Senator from Bicol said she loves the naturally sweet and loyal qualities of dogs and ultimately admires their sensitivity in easily sensing their master's moods.

"Dogs are naturally sweet. They will randomly come to you to cuddle and make sweet gestures such as welcoming you when you return home after a long and tiring day. They're also extremely loyal and sensitive creatures," she shared.

"Bukod sa nakababawas ng stress, talagang nakapagpapasaya sila. Puwede mo silang kausapin at kuwentuhan na para bang nakikinig sila at handang dumamay sa'yo," added the former justice secretary.

While dogs and cats are unique in their own ways, De Lima shared that she has grown fond of cats because the latter also share some of the most admirable traits of dogs.

"Now, from being a bonafide dog lover, I have also learned to be fond of cats, equally sweet and sensitive," said De Lima

"Sa mga oras ng pag-iisa at di-maiwasang kalungkutan dulot ng sitwasyon ko ngayon, kabilang sila sa mga nagpapagaan ng loob at nagpapasaya sa akin. Real blessings!" she added.

An animal lover, De Lima has been feeding the stray cats that freely roam around her detention quarters in Camp Crame. Her favorite cats, "Bran" and "Blackie", had recently passed away, over which she grieved.

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