“I had just adopted Clifford from PAWS (Philippine Animal Welfare Society), and I wanted something unique and would have a cause and [allow me] to give back,” explained Alyanna Martinez during the second anniversary of Alyanna’s Fitness Party at the PAWS shelter in Quezon City last March 7.

The anniversary also coincided with Clifford’s third month as Alyanna’s adopted fur baby.  Even if she initially thought the idea of having one of her fitness parties at PAWS was “crazy,” her friends at the shelter agreed to it.

“I only had five days to put this whole thing together, by myself, and my goals were to get awareness [for animal welfare], to get people to volunteer, to get people to donate, and to raise funds for PAWS.”

Canines of all shapes, sizes, and breeds ran their hearts out with their humans at the fifth Pet Express Doggie Run 2015 early morning last March 14, Saturday, at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Aside from the new stroller category this year, the spotlight on aspins or asong Pinoy was also one of the highlights of the run.

“PAWS (Philippine Animal Welfare Society), is again the beneficiary of the run this year, and were asked to cheer for the aspins, and to highlight them, that they can be as talented [as the purebreds],” explained PAWS Executive Director, Anna Cabrera.  “They can be trained.”