We can count on dogs to add light, laughter, color, and unconditional love in a world that is far more ready to pass judgment instead of embracing the differences that make individual human beings special.
In a society that insists upon adding conditions and labels on love and commitment, our dogs are always there for us, not the least bit concerned with the gender, class, or creed of whoever we decide to bring home for human playtime. We choose breeds based on their potential compatibility with our own personalities and lifestyles but no matter what breed we decide upon, our four-legged companions far surpass even our highest expectations. Dogs are perfect in that sense but one does wonder; if dogs had the choice would they prefer a specific breed of parent?
In Woof! A Gay Man’s Guide to Dogs, author Andrew DePrisco lightheartedly examines the different personality types of gay men and their affinity to certain breeds of dog but the question is, do dogs really care? DePrisco had a lot to say on the topic – his book is 208 pages long with detailed illustrations – but he pretty much sums up why dogs are so selfless and unconditional with their love.
“Dogs don’t have a clue as to orientation! Dogs accept everyone in their pack as family.” So, then why classify and categorize gay men and the breeds who love them? “I don’t think anyone would be offended by [the book]. Straight men and women are getting an inside peek on gay men. It covers fashion, sex … it’s really honest in terms of the need for companionship.”
Jim Colucci is a freelance entertainment reporter who delivers a weekly entertainment report, “Must Hear TV” as a correspondent on The Frank DeCaro Show on Sirius Satellite Radio. Colucci has been in a long term and loving relationship with Frank DeCaro and they live in New York City with their puppy-child, Herman, a Boston Terrier-of-leisure, who is content to spend his doggie days being spoiled shamelessly by his two dads. Colucci, a self-described Type-A Personality, recognizes the need for human-canine compatibility.
“One of the things that are attractive about dogs is that dogs don’t care if they have two daddies or two mommies. All of the things we as people worry about that distracts us from the real meaning of life, dogs are smart enough to ignore. I think that what kind of dog you have speaks about what kind of person you are. I think that’s true of everyone, not just gay men.”
Thom Fi
licia, the interior design guru best known for shows like Bravo’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and the Style Network’s Dress My Nest lives with his boyfriend and his rescued dog, Paco, a Beagle and Italian Greyhound mix who, abandoned as a puppy, dove out in front of his car during an ice storm. Paco has a personality fit for a king and enjoys plush comforts like cashmere and down and even stayed in a five-star suite while his Papa was away on business! Paco has surely inherited Felicia’s flair for style and the finer things in life, proving that their meeting wasn’t by chance and that their compatibility is a huge factor in their tight-as-a-curl relationship.
“I need a “go-along-with-the-flow” type of dog because I have a lot of flow in my life.” Felicia describes his dog as being “low-maintenance”, but admits to spoiling his furry best friend anyway. “We don’t know his exact birthday because when he was found he was already 7 to 8 months old but we celebrate his birthday every Fourth of July. We throw him a big party and feed him hot dogs. We have a life preserver for him for when we go on the boat and a coral cashmere sweater when he is playing ‘Gay Decorator’.”
Surely, these animals are lucky to have met their soul mate in their parents and if you were to ask them, these pooches wouldn’t trade them for all of the doggie bones in the world!
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