Paws, Pets & Metal is Metal Insider’s ongoing column on bands with pets, discovering who watches them on the road, and more. Get to know more about these metal furbabies. We caught up with The Mourning as they reveal their pets had no choice getting into metal.
Tell us more about your pet(s) and their names?
Johnny Ray: I have a hyper German Shepherd named Chino—yep, a Germandog with a Mexican name! I named him after Chino Moreno of Deftones, though my Chino couldn’t be more different. My Chino can’t hold his licker and is like Mr. Lahey from Trailer Park Boys—any time there’s fun happening in the house, whether it’s dancing, wrestling, or just hanging out, Chino shows up to shut it down. He’s also obsessed with chasing his tail when he’s bored. He’s just like those dogs you see on Funniest Home Videos—he even has dirt patches in the backyard from tearing up the grass while he’s running in circles. He’s a mess, but he’s our mess.
My other dog is Rosemary, named after the Deftones song (we listen, and we don’t judge!). She’s a 60-pound mini American Bully made of pure muscle.
Seriously, her legs have muscle ripples, and she looks like she belongs at Muscle Beach. Her happy tail is so strong we’ve had to start wearing pants around her to protect our shins—okay, maybe I’m exaggerating, but only a little. She loves carrying toys or bones in her mouth, and if you ask her, “Whatchoo got?!” she’ll respond with the cutest growl and a “woowoowoowoo.” We call her the “Meat Missile” because she’s basically a parkour expert, and if you’re sitting on the couch, she’ll launch herself over you without a second thought. She’s wild, fearless, and she absolutely owns her title.
Alex Nasla: I have a cat named Gandalf. He doesn’t like people. Including me. But when he is hungry, he will temporarily put up with my bullshit as long as necessary to get fed before going back to not liking me or anyone else!
Zai Alyenora: I have a dog, two cats, and two hermit crabs
Francesco Pinter: I can only say that my dog is a little poodle called Neve (Snow) She loves to play ball with me and she keeps running back and forth the house while doing it.
Have you ever taken your pet on tour?
Johnny: No but I’d love to!
Alex: No, Gandolf is a homebody. If anyone “new” even enters the house, he goes in hiding for 24 hours just to make sure they are gone haha.
Zai Alyenora: My dog is actually a service dog who has been to 39 states with me on tour! Shes even been in music videos for other famous bands like “Anberlin.”
Francesco Pinter: No I have not! Maybe one day!
Who looks after your pet while on the road?
Alex: My Brother!
Johnny: My wife and Sons!
Zai Alyenora: My cats usually are watched by my dad while I’m away but my dog Sapphire goes with me everywhere. The hermit crabs are brand new so they have no other experiences yet.
Francesco Pinter: My mother and father.
What’s your pet’s favorite song or album?
Johnny: I sing Rosemary the viral sensation “That’s just my baby doge,” and she seems to like it! She perks up when I sing it to her, so I think it’s safe to say it’s her favorite. It’s a goofy little moment we share, and I think she secretly loves the attention.
Alex: Considering he is named after a Lord of the Rings character, I would like to think the Lord of the Rings soundtrack! But actually, he seems to just enjoy listening to me writing and working on new songs mostly.
Zai Alyenora: I’ve never noticed a particular song – but I do notice their favorite tune is the food bag being ripped open!
Francesco Pinter: I never asked her! I should find out
How did you introduce your pet to metal?
Johnny: Well… since thats pretty much all we play around here… SHE HAD NO CHOICE. She doesn’t seem to mind. >:-)
Alex: The same way everyone does? Making them listen to The Odyssey by Symphony X. Oh…is that just me? Hmmm maybe thats why my cat hates me.
Zai Alyenora: I introduced my pets to metal by listening to it and they listen along with me!
Francesco Pinter: It was probably while I was listening to Children of Bodom!
What animal charity means most to you?
Alex: We don’t really have any 1 particular charity that means most. But there are countless out there doing amazing work getting animals off the streets, fed, sheltered, and loved when no one else will. And we love them all for the work that they do.
