A fur mom took to social media her frustration over a transport driver’s refusal to let her local dog Cooper ride in the car because he’s an ‘askal’ [asong kalye].
Pet owner Elisa Marie Aguas shared on Facebook last Sunday, April 30, how heartbroken she was after her baby Cooper was refused a ride by a driver of a ride-hailing app.
Apparently, she and Cooper were about to visit the vet. Her dog had an IV fluid bag connected to him, so it was easy to discern that the pet was not feeling well.
Aguas further disclosed that the driver “refused to let Cooper in the car because he’s an “askal” daw.”
She kept on correcting him; saying that they’re called Aspin [asong Pinoy] but he refused to listen. Aguas said the driver saw that Cooper was already lethargic and even has a dextrose connected at his arm but he continued to refuse them from boarding his car. The dog, he said, might leave some smell in his car.
Fur mom Aguas expressed her frustration over this kind of ‘discrimation’. “I don’t get it why people often disregard Aspins. Cooper is such a sweet boy. He gives small kisses to his doctor and he’s always gentle even if there’s a needle involve. Dogs are dogs. Whatever breed the dog is, it will bark, pee, and poo the same. Let’s end the discrimination to Aspins,” she appealed in her post which has gone viral with over 64K shares.
She also apologized to netizens. “Sorry, nag rant. I feel so bad for my baby lang kanina.”
In a PhilStar feature, she shared that they have a ‘suki” whenever they visit their vet which was some five minutes away only. However, their suki driver had a prior commitment so she had to find another way to go to the vet.
Riding a tricycle would be a hassle for Cooper as he had an IV fluid connected to him, she disclosed.
Aguas also shared that “As a frequent passenger of that ride-hailing app, I don’t let my dogs sit in the car seat. I place them on my lap the entire ride as a courtesy to the next user. I’m well aware of the protocols if you bring pets with you inside.”
Aguas and Cooper made it to the vet with the help of a different driver. To update her readers she shared that Cooper is still recovering. “He still didn’t regain his appetite but the good thing is he’s not vomiting and don’t need IV fluid anymore,” she said.
Some netizens have suggested that she should report the incident to the transport company but she has second thoughts as to its consequences to the driver. Her goal is just to raise awareness that even Aspins matter.
Indeed, to us fur parents of aspins, this acceptance is relevant.
