Volleyball is not the only Nxled Chameleons rookie Lucille Almonte’s passion.
Early last year, Almonte received an unexpected gift from her former assistant coach, Leo Miranda, and her teammate, Juris Manuel in Adamson.
“Galing kay Coach Leo tsaka kay Juris, sila yung nag-gift nun tapos sabi ko ‘gusto ko ng something na, alam mo yun, parang aalagaan ko forever’, ayun sineryoso nila ‘yung aso,” said Almonte with a laugh.
And those two gave her a lasting present indeed: TJ—a Dachshund named after the famous hotdog brand’s tagline in the Philippines.
Almonte knew that taking care of a pet was not easy, but she embraced that challenge for TJ.
“Matigas din ulo nun eh, parang nung una ang hirap niyang i-train kasi isa sila sa breed na mahirap i-train,” the former Adamson standout said, “tapos buti ngayon okay naman na siya and ang takaw,” she added.
As a fur mom to TJ for over a year, Almonte finds it difficult to be away from her fur baby, so she cherishes weekends when she can return to her sister’s house in Bulacan to spend time with her beloved pet after a busy week of volleyball.
“Pag kunwari, kasi sila ate Maji (Mangulabnan) at ate Anne (Esguerra), kasama nila yung dogs nila sa bahay, so parang alam mo yun, every time na uuwi ka, siya (TJ) ‘yung stress reliever mo pero kailangan ko pa mag-antay ng isang week para makasama ko siya,” Almonte shared.
Surely, the long wait is also difficult for TJ, according to the 5’7 outside hitter.
“Ang cute nga kasi pag umuuwi ako, kilala niya talaga kung sino nanay niya, kapag binuksan ko na ‘yung pinto, tatahol na siya tapos ‘pag humiga ako, maya-maya bigla na lang siyang nasa kili-kili ko. Kapag nagkikita talaga kami, as in, walang hiwalayan, palagi lang siyang nakadikit.”
For Almonte, becoming a fur parent taught her more than just the joys of having a furry companion—it instilled in her the responsibility of managing her time and providing for TJ.
“Isa siya sa mga binubuhay ko kaya responsibility-wise, siyempre, natutulungan ka rin niya kung paano mag-manage lalo na nung like yung first three months niya sa akin, ‘yun pinaka-crucial talaga kasi after ko talaga sa volleyball, siya, wala na akong iisipin, siya na lang.”
In many ways, the lessons Almonte learned from being a fur parent mirror her journey as an athlete: the discipline to care for her pet aligns with the dedication she brings to the volleyball court.
Writer’s note: Today is TJ’s birthday! Happy birthday Lucille’s stress-relieving hotdog fur baby!
