Paws and Reflect: A Special Bond Between Man and Dog

by Neil S. Plakcy, Sharon Sakson, Jeffrey Ricker

“ Paws and Reflect is an eloquent, moving testament that this unconditional love has helped form a great emotional and spiritual connection between dogs and their humans that just simply makes our lives healthier and more complete.”—David Frei, co-host of The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show , USA Network “Anyone—gay, straight, bi, transsexual, asexual—who has a dog will appreciate these stories of love, trust, caring and commitment.”— The Bark magazine Paws and Reflect explores and celebrates the special and powerful bond between gay man and dog through twenty-five stories of personal experiences in this well-crafted collection. Touching, powerful, and often humorous , this is a must-read for all dog lovers. The book includes interviews with Edward Albee, Jonathan Caouette, Ron Nyswaner, Charles Busch, and contributions from Jay Quinn, Hal Campbell, and others. A new, eight-page black and white photo insert is included with this paperback edition. Neil Plakcy is the author of gay detective novels Mahu and Mahu Surfer , and his fiction has appeared in many publications. Neil is owned by a Golden Retriever named Sam with whom he lives, along with his partner Marc, in Hollywood, Florida. Sharon Sakson is a writer and producer with NBC News, and the author of Brussels A Complete Pet Owner’s Manual .

Genres: Nonfiction, Dogs, Gay

261 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

I have been a voracious reader all my life, mostly in mystery, romance, and science fiction/fantasy, though a college degree in English did push a lot of literary works into my list of favorites.

Quick note: sign up for my newsletter at plakcy.substack.com to get free prologues, epilogues and short stories.

I began writing seriously in high school after an inspiring assignment with A Separate Peace by John Knowles. I didn't know I was gay then, but I knew I was longing for an emotional connection with a best friend. That desire shows up across my writing, from romance to mystery to adventure. I am lucky to have found my special person, and I want to inspire readers to make those connections, to one person or a found family.

It took getting an MFA in creative writing to kick-start my career. That's where I honed my technical skills and began to understand what kind of storyteller I am.

I remember reading Freddie the Detective about a very smart pig inspired by Sherlock Holmes. I’ve always believed that dogs make the best detectives. They notice what humans miss — a faint scent, a subtle shift in body language, the hidden treat in your pocket. That belief inspired my Golden Retriever Mysteries, where Rochester helps his human, Steve Levitan, nose out the truth.

My passion is telling stories where community, loyalty, and sometimes love solve problems just as much as clues do. Whether it’s a cozy mystery in Bucks County, a thriller on the streets of Miami, or a romance unfolding under the Mediterranean sun, I want readers to feel the heartbeat of the place and the people.

I write because stories helped me feel less alone growing up, and now I want to give readers that same feeling: a companion, a puzzle, and maybe a laugh.

When I’m not writing, I’m probably walking one of my own goldens, teaching writing, or daydreaming about my next story.
Since then I've written dozens of books, won a couple of treasured awards, and enjoyed the support of readers.

Every place I’ve lived has made its way into my fiction: the rolling hills of Bucks County, the neon heat of Miami, the beaches of Hawaii, the cobbled streets of Europe. I love exploring how communities work — from a café where dogs guide healing, to a fraternity house in South Beach, to a police unit in Honolulu.

My goal is simple: to write stories that feel grounded in real people and real places, but with enough twists, romance, or danger to keep you turning pages late into the night.

I hope you'll visit my website, where you can sign up for my occasional newsletter, and also follow my author page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/neil.plakcy.

Reviews

[Leslie Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is not the book I read but is the closest title I cuold find--same author. The book is available from Amazon at a bargain of $1.99, an ebook called IN DOG WE TRUST. It's a mystery set in Bucks county, the protag is an adjunct prof., he ends up with his neighbor's golden retriever when she is killed. What's not to like? Neil sent me a copy of the book, and I enjoyed it very much.

[Neil Plakcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend Sharon Sakson is a journalist and dog breeder, and one day when she was visiting we sat down and brainstormed a book we could work on together. I'd just published Mahu, and was besotted with my golden retriever Samwise, and we wondered if other gay men had similar relationships with their dogs.

That led to a proposal to Alyson Books, where the publisher was also a dog lover and thought the idea was great. I began soliciting gay writers I knew, and Sharon used her contacts in the dog show world to bring in other authors.

I handled the editing, and Sharon and I alternated writing introductions for each piece. I was so moved by the end of the process, by all the great essays we had found and all the love displayed between men and dogs.

[Christine Fay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully poignant collection of essays in tribute to the relationships we have with our four-legged friends, who provide us with some much love and connection.

[Claude Bouchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little compilation of dog stories. Most are cute, some are touching, and one or two will absolutely make you cry.
I was a bit surprised at the number of authors who chose to buy dogs from breeders rather than go to a rescue or shelter.
Writing is uneven, as not all the stories are by folks whose primary occupation is that of writer, but it's not terrible by any means.
FUNNIEST STORY: "My Ph.D. In Dachshunds" by Stephen Kwielchek
MOST TOUCHING STORY (you *will* cry): "The Girls" by Victor J. Banis

[David Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. I was so intruiged by the topic, essays about gay men and their relationships with the dogs in their lives. But most of the essays were boring and/or not well written. "The Girls" by Victor J. Banis was the big exception--beautiful piece that brought me to tears.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many of the stories are endearing and some pull at the heart strings. The writing is not particularly strong; the editing hit and miss.

[Shianne]

this book i haven't read but from what i have herad it might be a good book