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Bianca Salonga Fur Mom

Bianca Salonga

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:958px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787660584730Bianca Salonga Fur Mom_1.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Fur Mom Bianca Salonga at Christmastime with the Belgian Shepherds; Tisay, Coco, and Junior</em></span></span></span></div><p>The Belgian Malinois is often described as an elite working dog. At a glance, they may look a lot like a German Shepherd with their fawn or sable hair. Many trainers and handlers will confirm that this K9 breed is much more intense in terms of work ethic and energy level. They are relentless and tireless, often likened to “high performance sports cars or loaded weapons.” Also fondly referred to among dog lovers as “maligators,” these furry companions are mouthy as alligators, ultra high-drive, and exceptionally intelligent.  </p><div><strong>Whisky: To Love A Dog</strong></div><p>My first and eldest dog, Whisky, is the quintessential Belgian Malinois. When I got him, friends warned that, “Malinoises are only for experienced dog owners; not for first timers. They demand hours of training and activity, and they will challenge your authority.” They were not wrong, and I am better for it.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:958px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787660115797Whisky, still handsome 9 years old.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Whisky, still handsome at 9 years old</em></span></span></span></div><p>As it is between young parents and their first born, Whisky is the dog that saw me through hangovers and heartbreaks. He was a steady presence as I transitioned from my wild child years and into my wellbeing era. A deep sense of guilt always washes over me whenever I remember the long, consecutive weeks spent away from home and ultimately, him. Admittedly, I was an absentee dog owner for a good part of his pup years, dependent on the help of others: a trusted handler to take him on walks, a reliable vet whom I could call on 24/7, as well as an experienced trainer.</p><p>By the time he was a year old, Whisky had grown into a commanding and extremely confident canine. He had developed into a textbook alpha, always trying to dominate other dogs, and even our own guests. Every time I returned home, there was an unspoken yet palpable feeling of disconnect between us. Sure, we spent a reasonable amount of time playing, mostly searching and retrieving tennis balls. But that was hardly enough to establish a sense of trust and real partnership between us.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:957.995px;display:block" width="957.995"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787660741470WhatsApp Image 2026-08-12 at 20.12.10.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:957.995px;display:block;height:auto" width="957.995"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Don&#x27;t even think about messing with a girl and her pack</em></span></span></span></div><p>It slowly began to dawn on me that loving a dog goes far beyond providing them with a home, food, or play time. It’s as much about training and going on walks as it is a matter of really making your dog a part of your everyday life. This could mean taking them on trips or short drives. It can also be as simple as allowing them into your quiet moments—while taking an afternoon nap or by your feet as you work.</p><p>I learned that kennels and leashes are merely tools for creating structure, safety, and order. By no means does locking or tying them up solve challenges especially where reactivity and dominance are concerned. Quick fixes will not calm or appease anxiety in your dog. It is the deep bonds forged with our dogs that determine how they behave and interact with the external world. Earn their trust and they will grow up believing that they are safe. More than control, establish partnership and you will find that it’s possible to raise leash-free canines that understand boundaries.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:958px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787660862768Afternoon naps with the Belgians.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Afternoon naps with the Belgians</em></span></span></span></div><p>The most important thing that Whisky has taught me was that treats need not be transactional. Granted, dogs respond best to reward. But this does not necessarily translate to respect. To love a dominant, overly confident dog is to lead with presence and calm. To treat them like a human is a disservice to their potential as dogs and may also cause behavioral confusion. Instead, show your dog affection by honoring what is in their nature—to play, stay active, explore, and yes, even get dirty. </p><div><strong>Miss Coco: Laughter In A Time of Pandemic</strong></div><p>Miss Coco’s arrival in June 2020 turned our little duo into a dynamic pack of three. Unlike Whisky, she is a Tervuren, a breed that falls under the Belgian Shepherd family. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:958px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787660221974Coco, this writer_s soul dog.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Coco, this writer&#x27;s soul dog</em></span></span></span></div><p>Like the Malinois, this canine is always eager to work and please its owner. Tervs are distinguished from their Belgian cousins by their long, dark, double coats. They are affectionate, clever, disarmingly charming, and naughty. Miss Coco carries all of these traits and more. She is the dog who taught me to laugh even in challenging times like the pandemic.</p><p>From an early age, it was clear that Miss Coco and her big personality would need proper training. Because she grew up during the time of COVID, we had to find a “boarding school” for dogs that would teach her basic obedience. After only a few days in camp, her trainer reported that she was a quick learner. In fact, Miss Coco was so sharp and observant that she also learned to unlock her crate and free herself.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:958px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787660907787Training time during the pandemic with Coco and Whisky.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Training time during the pandemic with Coco and Whisky</em></span></span></span></div><p>I also soon realized that to be her custodian would require a good sense of humor. As a pup, this furball of energy had the habit of responding to nature’s call on the roof. It is still unknown to us how she learned to balance on a thatched housetop like a cat, let alone where she got the idea. Miss Coco’s climbing adventures were instantly cut short when one day, her feces rolled down from the roof and onto the head of our dog keeper.</p><p>Tervurens can be extremely focused and goal oriented. Apart from being my official velcro dog, Miss Coco’s mission each day is to beg, snatch or plunder as much food as she can from the humans in the property. At the height of the pandemic, she stole an entire brownie from the kitchen. This meant having to rush her to an ER vet way past bedtime.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:958px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787661015387Lounging outside the Bali house with Junior, Coco, Whisky and Bear.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Lounging outside the Bali house with Junior, Coco, Whisky, and Bear</em></span></span></span></div><p>Miss Coco’s small face and expressive eyes make it close to impossible to stay mad at her, regardless of the naughty deed of the day. Instead, our household has learned to laugh at her unusual quirks and daily shenanigans. I’ve fully embraced the fact that Miss Coco is far from perfect, and that’s precisely what makes her my soul dog. Whisky, who patiently took the brunt of her crazy, adolescent phase, has also learned to love Miss Coco for the whirlwind that she is. </p><div><strong>Junior, Tisay, and Bear: We Are Always A Work In Progress</strong></div><p>By the time Miss Coco was pregnant with her first litter, I was unsure about my capacity to care for new puppies. On Valentines Day in 2022, she gave birth to five strong whelps right outside my bedroom. I took that as an indication that my soul dog trusted me enough to be the guardian of her puppies. Not even Whisky, her baby daddy, could come near the little fur balls.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:958px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787660379974The pack- Whisky, Coco, Junior, Tisay, and Bear.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>The pack: Whisky, Coco, Junior, Tisay, and Bear</em></span></span></span></div><p>Out of the five, I kept two: Junior and Tisay. Both bear the same physical attributes of their Malinois sire. Two years later, another liter was born, out of which came the youngest in the pack, Bear (short for Virgilio). He is one of the very few from Whisky and Coco’s line to resemble their dame.</p><p>The younger dogs in the pack are constant reminders that there is always room to improve. Junior is a stunning dog—tall, lean, athletic, with shiny dark hair. He also happens to be extremely nervous, especially in unfamiliar places. Acknowledging this early on has helped us to empower him through training and constant walks outside of the property. After several months of working with a K9 specialist, Junior had managed to overcome his fears so much so that he’d been caught trespassing and terrorizing our neighbor’s chickens. We are still working on Junior’s relationship with feathered foes.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:958px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787661171687Junior_s graduation from Obedience training.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Junior&#x27;s graduation from Obedience Training</em></span></span></span></div><p>Although Tisay is a carbon copy of her sire, she exudes the charm and convivial nature of her dame. When guests come to visit, she is the first to greet them with her tail wagging and mega watt smile. She enjoys attention and prefers to keep the spotlight all to herself. Despite her size, Tisay will want to be the dog that sits on everyone’s lap. And she will likely growl and swat the other dogs should they try to get near her human. I read somewhere that this type of behavior is called resource guarding. And while I know that this needs to be addressed, I&#x27;ll be the first to admit that I kind of love how intensely she cares.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:958px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787661292482The Tervuren Twins. Coco and Bear.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>The Tervuren Twins: Coco and Bear</em></span></span></span></div><p>Bear is the baby of the pack, and he knows that he will get away with just about anything. Even from a young age, he has taken on the role of guardian to all the dogs. Whenever one of the dogs is resting in the kennel, you can expect that Bear will be watching over them. It is the same when he is inside my house. This gentle giant will find his spot right by the door, ever on guard.  I would sometimes wake in the middle of the night to find him staring at me from across the bed.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:958px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787661091688Whisky and Coco with their puppies.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Whisky and Coco with their puppies</em></span></span></span></div><p>Except for myself and his handler, Bear is relatively more distant compared to the others in the pack. He is extremely protective of those whom he trusts as he is suspicious of others, especially strangers. All the dogs are leash—free 95% of the time. They also know better than to chase pedestrians even if the gates are wide open.</p><p>Since Bear’s arrival, we’ve had to err on the side of caution. We are now more conscious about shutting the gates, just to make sure he doesn’t chase passers-by. As cute and cuddly as he may be, we continue to work towards socializing him.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:958px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787661344584Love team forever. Coco holding paws with Whisky.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Love team forever: Coco holding paws with Whisky</em></span></span></span></div><p>It’s not uncommon for dog owners to see themselves as fur parents, and it’s really easy to see why. In many ways, my responsibilities as a dog owner and the unique relationships I’ve cultivated with each one of them might look a lot like parenting. More than furry kids, Belgian Shepherds are my favorite teachers. And with the passing of each precious year with them, I continue to grow, evolve, and learn as both a dog owner and person.  </p>

<p>A fur parent to five Belgian Shepherds shares how caring for working breeds has taught her enduring lessons about guidance, protection, partnership, and loving each member of the family for exactly who they are.</p>

A fur parent to five Belgian Shepherds shares how caring for working breeds has taught her enduring lessons about guidance, protection, partnership, and loving each member of the family for exactly who they are.

Bianca Salonga: What raising a pack of Belgian Shepherds taught her

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Bianca Salonga: What raising a pack of Belgian Shepherds taught her

Bianca Salonga

Published August 25, 2026 08:40 PM PHT

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Updated August 25, 2026 10:56 PM PHT

Read More:

Pet Parenting

Fur Parents

Belgian Shepherd

Belgian Malinois

Dogs Are Family

Lessons From Parenthood

Working Dogs

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