Issue The Pets

It’s a worn-out phrase that a dog is man’s best friend. But especially in the LGBTQ community, pets have always held a special place. When it was hard or impossible for us to adopt, we had our animal companions. When our families couldn’t be depended on, our pets were always there for us. We love them like children and best friends, and when they’re gone, we mourn them like family.

This month, with so much else going on in the world, we decided to focus on one of our greatest comforts.

This month’s cover model, Miss Dixie, is something of a social media celebrity, and a favorite of all who’ve met her. Her people are Matt Paco, of Lonely Planet, and David Andrews, owner of D’Andrews Bakery. Miss Dixie

“Miss Dixie is the sweetest little Frenchie. She adores socializing with strangers on the street. She’ll often greet the people in the dog park first before playing with other dogs,” Matt said.

“We got Miss Dixie from a breeder in Kentucky over 10 years ago when my husband David and I lived in NYC. She loves to pose in cute outfits, and she enjoys exploring and traveling–especially road trips—like when we drove from Florida to New York—as well as around Europe.”

“As a media producer,” he added, “I occasionally included her in videos when I worked for MTV and LittleThings.” Be sure to check out the online version of this story to check out those videos! Mariska is a Krazy Keeshond who is almost 10 years old. We call her “Po” from Kung Fu Panda because the only time she moves quickly is when you say treat…then it is on! Mariska “cowgirls” on the end of the couch and walks along the back of the couch like a big cat! Mariska & Lulu

Lulu (Pomeranian) is 15 and is my wife Lisa’s best friend! At times we call her the furry suppository because she is ALWAYS up Lisa’s behind! Lulu cannot hear anymore, however has ESP if you open a “good beer”. She will not drink Miller Lite or any domestic, however give her a lil’ sip of Stella or Spaten Octoberfest…and she is perky and young again! Of course just a teaspoon! Of all things to find at an auction, I found a Shriner’s hat that said LULU, and I had to get for Lisa!

These doggies know no strangers and are great with babies or elderly. These girls are our babies and are treated that way! We have two daughters, but we actually have 4 gals!

From Angi Duke-Melendez

Mariah, Stella, Dorrie and Henry

Here are the four rescues we adopted: Mariah, Stella, Dorrie and our little boy...Henry. They are great little people, different in some ways but great.

From Francine Antonacci

SueEllen Noelle SueEllen Noelle, born September 11, 2012, came into the life of my partner and I, on Christmas Eve of that same year. A dear friend, Linda, who knew we were going back and forth about getting a dog, brought her to us as a Christmas gift.

There was a knock at the door that Christmas Eve night, and upon opening the door, we found a large cardboard box, but no one around. Written on top of the box was a message that read: Santa told me that the guys that live here would give me a great home, and love me, spoiling me beyond belief.

When we opened the box, our little girl of 2 pounds, wrapped in a yellow fleece blanket with a bone pattern, was waiting to be scooped up.

Today, at 7 ½ years old, and a whopping 6 pound, SueEllen—named for the Dallas character SueEllen Ewing (A gay man’s dream!), with Noelle being her middle name, due to her arriving at Christmas time—rules the roost here in Lebanon! She has brought so much joy and companionship to our home. And, as the daughter of two gay men, she wants for nothing. She is greatly loved.

From Harold R “Scottie” Scott

Harley This is Harley. I took this picture of him in an alley in East Nashville two days after we survived the tornado by huddling in the bathroom with my girlfriend while it destroyed the front of our house and dropped trees on the roof. When we went to the bathroom to take cover, he was so scared, because he thought he was getting a bath in the middle of the night, and jumped straight in the bathtub and started shivering. He really hates baths.

After it was over and we had to evacuate, he was so brave and jumped over lots of trees and downed power lines to follow us to safety. He was even really nice to a stranger who had to pick him up and carry him over some power lines because they were too far off the ground for him.

I’ve had Harley since he was a tiny puppy and he’s the bravest and most earnest guy I know, and having him by my side while going through such a terrifying ordeal has made all the difference. P.S. Including a bonus picture of Harley protesting the adoption bill. He’s also very good at protests.

From Emily Joy Allison

Easter & Juvia

My husband and I had grieved over the loss of our cat of 17 years for several years, and it came time that we needed to add some happiness back into our home. We decided to go to a rescue and found these two bundles of joy. We had originally gone to get one kitten, but Easter was adamant we get her sister and dragged her from the back of the cage to the front. We were in love and brought them both home. They make us laugh and bring such joy and fun back into our lives. Easter is just like her daddy (Sam) and Juvia is just like me (Jack). They have such incredible personalities, and we could not imagine our lives without them. They bring us such love and comfort and we cherish every minute with them. ESS15_EN_HalfPageH_August.indd 1

FAMILY, COSMETIC AND SEDATION DENTISTRY IN EAST NASHVILLE

8/17/15 10:20 AM THOMAS F. HADLEY, DDS 7 North Tenth Street 37206 (615) 227-2400 eastsidesmiles.net

Blue I have loved horses since I was five years old. I never dared to dream that someday I might own a horse of my own. When I moved from my hometown of Dallas, I purchased a farm on Old Hillsboro Road in Franklin. As fate or luck would have it, I soon learned that most of my neighbors not only shared my love for horses, but had magnificent warmblood horses that were shown in dressage shows around the world.

Within a few years, I had some really wonderful Hanoverian, Holsteiner, Andalusian, and Friesian horses. One of the Holsteiner stallions became not only a best friend, but was the first horse that had the mind, muscular body, and the willingness to forgive an amateur rider, yet take me well past the Grand Prix dressage classes.

I can never forget how ‘Blue’ knew he was about to be the center of attention at a show, and how I could feel his mouth as he anxiously chomped on the double-bridle bits, as if he was saying, “Turn on the spotlight. I am about to make my entrance!” The crowd would cheer very loudly when ‘Blue’ would start doing his very flashy and cadenced passage, and the crowd went wild when he transitioned from the passage to his incredible piaffe. The louder the crowd cheered, the more he loved it. I could actually feel his body puff up and he would always put ‘a little something extra’ into his intricate and precise steps. I believe he understood that the audience was applauding him, not his rider.

He loved his life in the show ring, but he enjoyed being just another horse when he was turned into his paddock on the farm. Most people think that all stallions are wild, dangerous and unmanageable horses, and in some cases, that is true. ‘Blue’ was once again a marvelous friend at home and was so quiet and gentle, even seasoned horse people often mistook him for a gelding.

He was a real clown and prankster. He loved nothing more than sticking his head into the window of a car or truck, and would delight in picking up anything he found on the seats—cell phones, books, hammers, anything and everything. He would pick up each item individually then place it in an area of his choosing. More likely than not, he would go back to the vehicles that had left the windows down and honk the horn over and over until some of the barn workers would come outside to see who had arrived at the barn.

I have owned many horses since ‘Blue’ but his memories remain with me more than any horse I have ever. As my tears flowed into his magnificent bay coat, I was forced to have him euthanized at the age of 34. The last thing I told him was to be sure he remembered to meet me on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. I believe he will be impatiently waiting for me to arrive, and when he sees me, I know he will puff up and snort and do his little impatient dance, as if he were telling me to hurry up so he can be the star in the dressage arena made of the purest gold.

From Carroll Duvall

Dolly Anna Purrton Dolly Anna Purrton was going to just be put out on the side of the road, so she and her siblings were rescued by a friend, and I ad- opted her. She is a sweet little diva that lives up to her name. She loves to sing like her namesake and her mama (me) lol!

From Krystal Fries

Gary Gary is my 1-year-old Frenchie-Corgi mix. He was rescued from a hoarding/neglect situation in Lebanon, Tennessee, in early 2019, and we adopted him in June 2019. When we first got him, he was scared of everything—people, noises, doorways, kids, pets, even where the floor changed to carpet.

He comes to work with me every day (I work for a pet food com- pany in Franklin) and has slowly come out of his shell. He isn’t brave enough yet to come to a big event like Pride, but he has made lots of friends at work—he knows which desks have snacks! We call him a baked potato and burrito grande because he is such a solid lump of dog, but he can be as super fast when playing as he is super snuggly when napping. His favorite spots for naps are under my desk at work or the top back of the couch at home— such a climber!

I adore his silly smushy face, his snuffly snoring, and everything about his personality—and he loves us all right back. Even Pepper the cat has been known to groom his ears and lay down for a snuggle with him.

From Bridget Meadows

Baxter & Nixon From Glenn Stewart

Hobbes This is Hobbes. He is 7 Years old and is a fierce Dachshund. He has lived in Nashville his whole life. He loves playing with other dogs and sleeping.

From Matt Taylor

Peggy and Lola Paquita

Jerry and Benjamin Camarena Jones in Inglewood are the proud daddies of two rescue pugs. Peggy, the grand princess and older of the two, was adopted 15 years ago from a pug rescue . She was just a few months old when adopted.

Lola Paquita is just over two years old and was adopted from Nashville Pug Rescue. She was rescued from a puppy mill in Mississippi. She was born with boy and girl parts but now proudly claims the pronouns of she/her/hers.

They have as opposite personalities as could be. Peggy is relaxed and enjoying her twilight years while Lola is full of pug energy and mischief.

Make Every Connection Count

ADVOCATE. EDUCATE. CONNECT.

Avery and Blaze Nashville resident Michael Fluck didn’t know he was a cat lover until two cats happened into his life. Avery (gray) was a presumed stray and is thought to be around seven years old. She showed up at a former roommate’s house as a kitten. When the roomie moved out, he left Avery with Daddy Michael. She is a “runt” and small, but healthy. Avery and his brother Blaze were destined to be together! And they fight like brothers and sisters.

Blaze (orange) was rescued from the roof of a house across the street from Michael’s former house. He heard a cat crying when he walked out to the street to get the mail. He had been gone five days for work attending the Super Bowl. Even though he heard a cat, he couldn’t find a cat.

We’re now 500 members strong with deep connections. Join now before membership prices increase on January 1, 2020.

To learn about our membership benefits (business or individual), visit nashvillelgbtchamber.org today.

Take the first step and start making connections at our Annual Meeting and Holiday Party on Thursday, December 12that the Nashville Children’s Theatre. Details and RSVP at nashvillelgbtchamber.org.