Versus: Alfie and Darcy
Alfie and Darcy are a fatherson Dachshund duo that spell love, comfort, and pure joy
KITTY JACINTO opens up about the oh-so lovable Alfie. Coming all the way from bustling New York City, Alfie initially belonged to Jacinto’s daughter, Thea Jacinto-Ugarte while she was living in the States. “My daughter got married, and later, she and her husband moved to Hong Kong with the same company he was working with in New York. Of course, I was happy because they’re closer to home, but in Hong Kong, they quarantine all dogs for a long period of time. It broke my daughter’s heart,” Jacinto reminisces. After a few tries, Thea eventually got Kitty to fall for Alfie, and the rest is history. Adjusting to a new environment is never easy, and Alfie had minor struggles with anxiety. Following a few one-on-one sessions at dog-discipline school and visits from the vet, Alfie gradually gained his confidence. While he may be shy, he funnily enough can get very competitive, and it is absolutely endearing. Jacinto shares, “We have a walking group in our condo, there are about five to six of them. When they go for walks, he likes to be a few inches ahead! Hindi magpapatalo!” Truly a “top dog,” Alfie gets all the love and attention at the Jacinto household—he most definitely runs the show. His favorite activities include walks and visits to the mall. Jacinto shows us the stroller that Alfie gets so excited to hop into for a leisurely trip around the mall. He enjoys people watching, and Jacinto even mentions how most of the staff and security already know little Alfie. When asked to describe Alfie in one word, Jacinto expresses: “Loyal!” “The people he lives with and his original people parents who are now living abroad, but visit regularly, mean the world to him. He is very protective of the people he loves.”
In 2015, Maiqui Pineda lost her first dog of 17 years. Two years later, she decided she was ready to welcome another furry friend into her home. “My friend said she had dogs that she was selling, if ever I would be interested. So I thought, this could be the perfect time again for me to have a dog. It’s been two years since the last one, and it’s so nice to have a dog to go home to. You’re never alone, you always have a friend. So I decided to just jump on the idea, and got Darcy!” Darcy is one of five beautiful Dachshund puppies—his father is Alfie. Pineda knew she wanted a boy this time around, and as fate would have it, little Darcy was the perfect match. She fondly remembers getting to know her new pup, and excitedly mentions how they share similar personalities. She jokingly points out, “Just sleeping and eating, and being super clingy and sweet. I think it worked out perfectly! Unless he ended up being like me!” Darcy is one of the most affectionate dogs you will ever meet. All he
genuinely needs in life is a good massage and cuddle. Pineda’s eyes light up at the mention of their nightly routine, “So our favorite activity to do together is actually just sleeping! He sleeps with me every night in my bed. He loves to cuddle! He sleeps like a human being, with his paws up. Even in the morning, he’ll get up to use the bathroom, but he’ll always come back just to sleep with me again!” When asked to describe Darcy in one word, Pineda instantaneously mentions “clingy” with a little laugh. “Even if we’re out, he wants me to carry him. Whenever I arrive home, he jumps on me, doesn’t want me to leave. And then of course, he doesn’t like sleeping with anybody else! So he’s a clingy one!”
Jacinto and Pineda can’t imagine a life without their beautiful pets. Alfie and Darcy are a father-son Dachshund duo that are the epitome of comfort, giving their humans the ultimate sense of home.