To mark Love Your Pet Day on February 20, The Weekly looks at how three local celebrities shower their four-legged companions with undivided attention:
“I have three pets in total: Two Chihuahuas and a cat, Trapper (not pictured). All of them are rescues and they’ve been with the family for about four years. My mum died around that time and I was feeling extremely down, so I got in touch with Voices For Animals and they suggested I adopt Consuela. She had been rescued from a puppy mill and was a great fit for me temperament-wise, so I named her Consuela, which means consolation in Spanish. We adopted another puppy mill rescue dog, Rosie, shortly after. I’ve always been a pet lover since young. You just can’t feel lonely when you are so adored and loved so completely by them. Rescue pets are harder as they are emotionally and often physically damaged, so living with them has taught me empathy and patience. It makes me realise how small my problems really are in the grand scheme of things. If you have a pet, you already know how much joy they bring. And if you are considering pet ownership, know it takes work to train them to be the best version of themselves, but it is very rewarding.”
“I actually have two cats; Gabby (not pictured), who has been with me for 17 years, and Mocha who joined the family seven years ago. Gabby was just a wee kitten in the 13th litter of a stray mama cat near Pasir Ris Park, where I used to wakeboard. All my fellow wakeboarders adopted a kitten each back then. Gabby chose my basket of treats, so I took her home. She stuck with me through my delinquent young adult days and after I got married, Mocha was adopted through the Cat Welfare Society. He was rescued at just three months old from a hoarder’s flat with about 40 cats. He slept on me while I carried him at a CWS cat adoption event. Cats really do choose their humans! I believe having animals surround me since young has made me a more empathetic and compassionate person. To be able to feel for another creature apart from human beings, it brings love to an even deeper level in my heart. Every pet starts out as an innocent life, waiting to be loved unconditionally. Treat them well, and they will love you to the moon and back.”
“I’ve had Kingsley for seven years, since he was just about born. Having a pet certainly teaches you responsibility because they only have you to reply on, so you always need to remember that. But more than anything else, Kingsley brings me daily joy and makes me laugh so much. Being a pug, I liken him to an old man. He snores, huffs and puffs when he wakes up, and farts really loudly. I’ve learnt that I’m also going to be a terrible parent because I can’t say no. He’ll look at me with those big googly eyes, and I’ll give him anything he wants. It’s like he hypnotises me. For those thinking about getting a pet, please remember that a pet is for life and not just when they’re young and cute as puppies or kittens. So if you’re ready for a lifelong commitment of unconditional love, then go for, it and welcome to the club. For those of you who already own animals, enjoy February 20 with your fur baby!”
Singapore celebs aren’t the only ones who go gaga for the animals in their lives. Here are some famous faces from Hollywood and beyond who treat their pets like royalty: