AS a child, two of Ryan McPhun’s best mates were dogs.
The lead singer of the Ruby Suns said one of the most difficult things about moving to New Zealand from America 10 years ago was saying good-bye to his pets. Fortunately they found a good home with dog-friendly neighbours – the kind of people who would employ a dog psychologist to check the well-being of the canines.
When McPhun returned to Seattle for a Ruby Suns tour, he and the band helped look after a friend’s dog, whose house they were staying at. That pitbull, which McPhun walked and fed every day, inspired the song Mingus and Pike on the Ruby Suns’ latest album Fight Softly.
“A lot of people think dogs are really dumb but they are so personable. They are hyperaware of the moods of people they care about,” says McPhun.
The softly spoken singer says hanging with Mingus reminded him of the strong connection he had with his Labradors – one of whom died a day after he saw her after years spent in New Zealand.
“The people she was staying with believe that she was waiting for me because she knew I was coming back.”
Ruby Suns, Mighty Mighty, 8pm, February 26.