Cover Valerie Ong and her pet dog Aki
Valerie Ong and her pet dog Aki
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Nicknamed Aki Bear, this independent pup loves his personal space
To celebrate National Pet Day, Tatler speaks to three pet owners in our community. The first personality we got to meet was Aki Bear. Entering the home of Valerie Ong’s parents, we are initially greeted by her Shiba Inu, Aki. But as we all have learnt, looks can be deceiving and as I go in to pet Aki, who doesn’t usually bark, lets out a small growl and tries to get a bite.
Read more: Couple spotlight: Valerie Ong and Travis Loh's road to marriage
We were quickly warned by Ong and her husband Travis Loh to not get too close. Kept isolated during the pandemic, Aki isn’t accustomed to people as much and can get very protective about his territory and loved ones—we were, after all, encroaching into his space.
Above Valerie Ong in an UnitedWood top and her pet dog Aki
Above Valerie Ong in an UnitedWood top and her pet dog Aki
Valerie Ong in an UnitedWood top and her pet dog Aki
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“I got Aki in mid-2019 when my best friend decided to ship him over to me because she thought that our new house lacks warmth. So she wanted to inject a bit of life into the new place I just moved into,” Ong laughs.
Although excited to receive Aki, who is now four in human years, Ong and Loh were first unsure of how to manage him because Shiba Inus are typically winter dogs. At the time too, the couple had just started getting to know each other.
See also: Valerie Ong and Travis Loh tie the knot in a beautiful garden ceremony
Aki was like their own baby; he was six months old when they got him. Curious to know, we ask how did they decide on their baby’s name?
“Both Travis and I love Japan where Shibas, which are hunter dogs, originate from. Aki means autumn, which is the colour (reddish-brown) we feel he represents and both Travis and I call each other 'Bear', so Aki Bear it was,” shares Ong who’s also now expecting a (human) child.
"Aki likes to be near you, but not too near. He’s quite a character!"
Above Aki poses for the camera
Aki poses for the camera
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Aki is said to be very independent and easy to train. “We trained him by simply watching videos on YouTube. He sort of likes people but just doesn’t like being touched so since young, he’s been the type who will come to you when he feels like it—he likes to be near you but not too near. He’s quite a character,” says Ong.
Some of his quirks include not wanting head support when sleeping or resting and a love for swimming. “After walks he will go towards the pool, indicating he wants to swim, but we only let him when we’re ready to shower him, which is once a week, and we send him to the groomers every three months,” she shares.
“I’m definitely more a dog person,” claims Ong. “I just love dogs and my previous Shih Tzu lived till she was 17—it’s just lovely to have someone greet you enthusiastically whenever you get home.”
Credits
Photography: Daniel Adams
Content Direction: Zue Wei Leong
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If tall, dark and handsome is what you're looking for, Aaron Pereira ticks two out of three. This fine chocolate man (that is, a connoisseur of fine chocolate), enjoys the theatre, futsal, real-life conversations and of course, the English language. He believes that language should first be used to express, but the business of a sub-editor is to impress.
Check out his Instagram @aaronlpereira.
