The Advocate

THE GREATEST (AND FURRIEST) LOVE OF ALL

Hanna & Tugboat

Originally from Southern California, Hanna McKellar now resides in Bar Harbor, Maine, with their partner, three roomies, and a 7-month-old domestic shorthair cat named Tugboat. “Tugboat means the world to me,” says McKellar. “He’s a little rascal who likes to chomp on my arm, and tries to lick butter, but I love him with my entire heart.”

McKellar identifies as queer, uses she/they pronouns, and feels that relationships with animals can hold an even deeper meaning for LGBTQ+ people, who are sometimes rejected by their biological families.

“Pets become part of our families,” they say, “and many in the LGBTQ community have had a difficult history with receiving and giving love in a familial way. I think that because of this, the relationships we share with our pets, friends, partners, and found family become stronger as we are able to express this love.”

Josh & Snow

Josh White is the co-owner of West Hollywood’s Dogue Spa alongside life partner Mehdi Rezig.

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