I’ll admit it: I’m a sucker for those animal cop shows on Animal Planet. I stopped dead in my tracks while channel surfing one evening a few months ago because this beefy uniformed guy with tats and a shaved head caught my eye. (Go ahead, call me shallow.) Turns out it was Officer Gary Boyette of the Miami Dade County Animal Services Unit, a hot bear of a man who—amazingly—has damn few photos on the internets. (This is me frowning.)
While it was the hot menz who drew me in, it was the stories themselves that kept me coming back for more. And I think I finally figured out what spiritual need watching these shows fulfills for me. Because of the state of the world these days and the utter stupid displayed by so many of my fellow humans, I find myself constantly needing to battle back a lack of faith in humanity. And while the beginning of each show—whether it’s Miami Animal Police, Animal Cops Houston (Detroit, San Francisco, or whatever)—tends to reinforce my belief that the vast majority of people out there are about as human and caring as pond scum, as the episodes unfold and I watch all these other people work their asses off to rescue, rehabilitate, care for and find homes for the neglected and abused animals they document, it brightens my disposition immensely and begins to renew my faith in humanity. I even find myself shedding a tear now and then because that glimpse of hope for humanity can be so amazingly bright. It’s equally remarkable to watch an animal who has just been liberated from some of the absolutely horrific conditions showcased on these programs light up and begin to play.
And of course it doesn’t hurt that some of big muscled animal control officers are damn hot, too. woof.
July 21, 2008 at 4:16 pm
My mom watches those shows constantly, even though they make her bawl. Occasionally I will watch one with her, but I’m not sure I’ve seen that particular hot manz.
July 21, 2008 at 4:28 pm
I think that we feel great sympathy for animals in trouble, because they are essentially helpless. Domesticated animals such as cats, dogs and other assorted pets didn’t have a choice as to their living conditions.
I too find the tug at my heartstrings when I watch these animal shows. It breaks my heart and I want to break the necks of the idiots that abuse their animals. There is just no excuse.
July 21, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Gary Boyett
Animal Control Officer
Gary Boyett is a man of contrasts. He shaves his head, sports several tattoos and rides a black-and-chrome-plated Honda Shadow motorcycle. Beneath his striking exterior, though, lies a gentlemanly young man who loves his job, won awards as a teenager for his “Grand Champion Swine” in the 4-H club, and has an abiding love for animals.
Gary grew up in Miami-Dade County and joined the Animal Services Unit soon after high-school graduation. The job not only meant better benefits, but also offered the opportunity for growth to those who worked hard and excelled at their jobs. In fact, Gary spent only a year as an animal care specialist, cleaning cages and tending to the animals, before earning a promotion to the more challenging position of ACO. “Everything about it is exciting,” he says.
July 21, 2008 at 5:06 pm
We are such amatuers compared to the Animal Kingdom!!!!!!!!
July 21, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I love animals! Yes, you are shallow! Praise be! So, am I!
On a side note, I was watching something on PBS about the “Bear Problem” they are having. Bear problem? Hardly. More like a bunch of stupid people have built their crappy McMansions in the bear’s living room. They showed one bear they put down because people were feeding him and he was looking at humans as a source of food. When they showed him being injected and put to sleep, I broke down and cried.
Stupid people!
July 22, 2008 at 10:25 am
Don’t feel shallow. I started watching Animal Cops Houston because of Max Mixson. Blond with a goatee and hairy, made me pay attention. I saw him in later episodes when he was much beefier. Animal Planet was re-running old episodes and he looked anorexic. Too bad he quit the Houston SPCA and isn’t on anymore. I found one screen cap of his face on Flickr but not much else.