In Lawrence, rockers tend to get in touch with their “ruff” side. That’s because more musicians here are becoming partial to their pooches, keen on their canines, and fond of fido.
It’s not hard to notice this tender trend. On any given day, you’ll spot Tyler Gregory’s tiny pup hanging around at his sets. A quick glance at Approach’s instagram feed shows a house full of four-legged misfits.
Naturally, we wanted to highlight these special relationships. Scroll down to check out interviews with a few familiar faces in Lawrence’s music scene, and find out what makes them so doggone in love with their doggies.
Name: Sean Hunt (Approach)
Pet’s name: Francisco (The little guy), Motley (The Little Black Coat Guy), Jarrah (The Biggest One)
How did your pet become part of your family: Motley & Jarrah came into my life when i started dating my wonderful girlfriend Nicole. Francisco came into our lives as a foster fail. We tried to foster him and soon realized he was part of our crew. All three dogs are rescue dogs and we are very proud of that.
Favorite personality trait: Motley is too smart for his own good & thinks he’s human. Jarrah is the sweetest, most forgiving dog you could ever meet. She loves everyone she meets. Francisco is spunky, and I love how curious he is about life. Even as a puppy, he’s protective of his people & pack.
Most embarrassing story / awkward situation you’ve been in with your pet: Francisco may or may not have humped both of our mothers. True story.
Your pet’s favorite thing to do: Our dogs favorite thing to do are go on long walks. They love it outside and they love going to the track with us to workout.
Why you’ll love them forever: They are my family, friends and Tastemakers (Musically). If they come into a room (when a song is playing) and hangout, I know it’s a keeper!!!!
Name: Tyler Gregory
Pet’s name: Jack Stone
How did your pet become part of your family: He was adopted from a farm out in southern Oregon.
Favorite personality trait: The fact that he is friendly and loving to people he has never met. He goes on tour with us for months at a time and loves it. My favorite thing he does is when he goes on stage while I’m playing and sits next to me when I play.
Most embarrassing story / awkward situation you’ve been in with your pet: When we threw a party he decided to tip over numerous beers and drink them. I think he was more embarrassed than us when he would try to play and jump in the air, but it just wasn’t graceful. I can say that he still hasn’t learned a lesson (leave your beer on a table).
Your pet’s favorite thing to do: Chasing/ playing with any ball. Don’t play volleyball, basketball, baseball, or even beer pong around him.
Why you’ll love them forever: Because he’s duh best Widdle bubby in duh whole wide world!! Don’t ya know?
Name: DJ G Train
Pet’s name: Hunnie aka Deejay
How did your pet become part of your family: One of my friends in Topeka had a litter.
Favorite personality trait: She’s really loving and just wants to be close.
Most embarrassing story / awkward situation you’ve been in with your pet: When your dog is peeing facing downhill and it’s just running all over her paws and the neighbors are walking by… awkward.
Your pet’s favorite thing to do: She loves to play, but since she’s only two months old she still sleeps a lot.
Why you’ll love them forever: She’s my lil ride or die….
Name: CJ Calhoun (Cowboy Indian Bear)
Pet’s name: Penelope Bernadette Claghoun
How did your pet become part of your family: Katy and I got her from the Humane Society here in town. We had been going to the shelter regularly, and when I saw Penny it was truly love at first sight, I knew she was our pup.
Favorite personality trait: Well if I’m being honest, Penny is not the most graceful of ladies, however I do find it real cute that she’s learned how to be an only dog and entertain herself. She likes to throw single pieces of her kibble around to herself and play fetch throughout the house. Never fails to make me smile.
Most embarrassing story / awkward situation you’ve been in with your pet: Penny has a tendency to pee when she get’s excited, and she gets really excited whenever people come over. I’d guess at least 85% of my friends have had their feet peed on by my dog….
Your pet’s favorite thing to do: Play tug of war, no doubt. She cannot get enough of that game. Also, when she’s at the dog park she gets really excited about really tall overgrown grass and loves to run laps through that!
Why you’ll love them forever: Because anytime I come home bummed about anything, work, something music related, whatever, she makes it clear to me quickly that she does not care about any of those things, or even know they exist, and really just wants to be walked and get fed. That always puts the stresses I create in my own head into perspective, knowing that she’s just going to keep being a dog, needing her humans to take care of her no matter what else is going on in the world.
Name: CS Luxem
Pet’s name: Lindy and Maude
How did your pet become part of your family: They found us, either abandoned or ran away and took shelter in the family garage.
Favorite personality trait: Lindy is the definition of man’s best friend. She is loyal, smart, and very much in tune with human energy. Maude is a ham, always hamming it up.
Most embarrassing story / awkward situation you’ve been in with your pet: Occasionally I’ll find myself wrestling one of them and they whip their paws into my face scratching me. I always deserve it.
Your pet’s favorite thing to do: Lindy likes to explore, Maude likes to chase coyotes or sleep on the couch.
Why you’ll love them forever: All dogs are lessons in patience, understanding and growth. We’re always growing together.
Editor’s note: Don’t think we’ve overlooked the feline friends here in Lawrence. Two years ago, we featured several musicians and their kitties in a story. You can check out the gallery of cat lovers here.
Words and photos by Fally Afani