On a cold Saturday morning in February, humans and their animal companions took a bus to an isolated location that turned out to be a dog lover’s dream. They joined NexGard Spectra’s Pets Camp Out 2019 at Green Canyon Leisure Farms at the heart of Bamban, Tarlac.
Visitors were welcomed by members of Paws and Tails Event Concepts and Management, in charge of the registration and vaccination checks. They received sleeping bags, dog bowls, and waste bag dispensers, provided by NexGard Spectra. More than half of the participants put up their tents at the Green Canyon campsite while others checked into the hotel with their dogs.
Educational getaway
Pets Camp Out promoted animal welfare by kicking off with a short educational presentation. Veterinarians Andrea Clarice T. Aspuria and Ross Antonio Banayo from Boehringer Ingelheim discussed puppy health and the importance of quality medicine, including NexGard Spectra.
NexGard Spectra is a tasty beef-flavored chew that kills fleas fast, provides effective tick control, prevents heart worm, and treats common intestinal worms, including roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms.
A representative from rescue organization Animal Kingdom Foundation talked about dog meat trade in the country. Along with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, they shared about a recent rescue involving 21 dogs bound for slaughter in Batangas.
Games with the gang
Members of dog groups Cavite Husky Pack, Golden Retrievers Pack, Cat and Dog Fashionistas, UP MMDA Vanguard K9 Search and Rescue, Golden Retrievers Club Philippines, and Boston Terriers Pack Philippines showed their grit and camaraderie during the Palarong Pinoy Camp Sportsfest. They finished obstacle courses and swam in the pool with their dogs. Cavite Husky Pack, who finished first, nabbed the grand prize, making this their second win two years in a row.
Each group also had a representative for the Campawlympics. Winners received goodies from NexGard Spectra.
After dinner, the campers headed straight for their tents, a bonfire burning nearby to provide warmth during the night.
The next day, some humans and their companion canines went on a hike to Mt. Balakbak. The rest enjoyed swimming at the wave pool.
As the day came to a close, campers shook hands and said their see-you-laters. To them, it wasn’t a goodbye – it was just a matter of time before they crossed each other’s paths once more, thanks to their shared love for dogs.
Photos by CJ Raquion
This appeared in Animal Scene magazine’s May 2019 issue.
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