Much has been made of people looking like their dogs. And anecdotally at least, this appears to be somewhat true. Athletic people choose athletic dogs. Showy people pick showy dogs. Unfortunately, that doesn’t quite work if you’re gay. Few dogs are gay, although some like to act as if they are.
So, author and editor Andrew DePrisco put fingers to keyboard to help gay men pick just the right dog whether they categorize themselves as “Bears,” “California Boys,” “Guppies,” or any of 25 other types. Alone, Jason O’Malley’s illustrations of each type make a browse through the longest of the book’s chapters, “Matchmaker: A-Z,” rewarding. But the profiles are good for a belly laugh – whether you’re gay, appreciate gays, or even love them – in a nonsexual way, of course.
For the “Homemaker,” DePrisco suggests not just a French Bulldog or Chow Chow, but a pair of either. Also on the Homemaker’s list of appropriate choices: Shiba Inu, English Toy Spaniels, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Bichons Frises and Tibetan Spaniels.
Matchmaking is just one part of “Woof! A Gay Man’s Guide to Dogs.”
You’ll also find truly helpful information about hooking up with a quality dog or puppy, getting ready to take your new pup home, tapping into the resources you’ll need to care properly for the little guy, and incorporating the canine into your very busy, very gay life.
Be sure to check out the gay/nongay name list on page 137. Apparently only heterosexual males name their dogs Fang, Arnold, Lassie and Ringo. Who knew?
“Woof!” is published by BowTie Press, a division of BowTie Inc., which owns and operates DogChannel.
For more information on “Woof! A Gay Man’s Guide to Dogs,” visit www.woofbook.com, or check out the “Woof!” MySpace page at www.myspace.com/woofbook.