Initially, I am from Cape Town, an eclectic, biodiverse, melting pot, a mountainous seaside city in South Africa. Growing up in Cape Town, the first seeds of consciousness had been planted within me by embodying Ubuntu, which in Zulu translates to “I am because of who we all are.” Ubuntu stands for love and universal kindness, which are the driving forces that permeate my daily life and allow me to fulfill my purpose as a professional dog trainer. My training methods are educated by convention but ultimately guided and rooted in intuition and emotional intelligence. I am the bridge between owner and dog, and through emotional training of both, I empower people with tools of awareness to get the most out of their dog. Ever since I was a young boy, I’ve had a knack for three things, connecting with life (dogs), trying new things, and celebrating humanity through culture.
I was able to explore my love for dogs and their nature when I served as a dog trainer in the South African National Defense Force in 2009. The primary focus in military dog training was attack training, tracking, detection, and patrol training. Ultimately, my military experience granted me the concept of diligence, discipline, and a sense of duty that emboldens me to success to this day.
In the spirit of trying new things, I’ve always romanticized living in another country. So, in 2017, I leaped new beginnings and moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Upon arrival, I enrolled in massage school searching for a new skill, only to boomerang back to dog training by volunteering at a dog training facility in East Atlanta. The volunteering blossomed into a fully-fledged realization of my purpose as a dog trainer, which then evolved into my career.
Atlanta has genuinely been an ideal place to blossom, as it is a city rooted in spirituality, diversity, and cultural vibrancy. I have received nothing but big hearts and great hospitality. Most importantly, it is the place where I stepped into my power to open all levels of my being.
The magnitude of Atlanta pride was and still is very liberating to witness and be a part of. Front Runners Atlanta is a big shout-out to my running ground; besides
their outstanding charitable work benefiting the LGBTQ, they provide a great sense of community. The Atlanta art scene has been a magical place for a baritone opera singer and a profound lover of all art forms. With its ever-inspiring exhibits and The Atlanta symphony’s incredible live shows, the High Museum are both sanctuaries for my soul. The Botanical gardens are the perfect place where nature meets art. The bustling unique Atlanta beltline with live musicians, people playing the sport, and so many great food spots. The variety of fashion and, of course, it is doggy heaven out here on the beltline. These are the spots I’ll frequent when I am not training pups. Embracing all the facets of myself has allowed me to be fully present with the art of dog training. Currently, I run my one-person show dog business from my home in Buckhead. I offer training, boarding, and controlled playgroups for socialization. I use positive reinforcement as the primary method in training dogs. I cheerfully boast that I have a 100% success rate, which is a consequence of inner work inspired by authors like Eckhart Tolle, Abraham Hicks, and the undisputed best female singer/ songwriter of all-time, Mariah Carey. “The depth to the degree that I am able to understand self is to the exact degree that I am able to understand the depths of everything else.”
On the expansion horizon, I wish to train young, inspired dog trainers. “I’ll be happy to coach young people in my methods of training and potentially build a dog training movement” The essential qualities you’ll need to cultivate within yourself if you wish to become a dog trainer are patience, perseverance, and, most importantly, emotional awareness. Learn to trust in your intuition, as you’ll be dealing with beings that do not speak your language.
You can find me on Instagram @ dogtrainertatl, where you’ll find endless photos and videos of some of my furry friends or email me at dogtraineratl@gmail.com and inquire about all your dog training needs. See you soon in unlocking yourself and the full potential that your dog can be. Ultimately the goal is to align humans with their dogs, and their dogs are already there.
The Dog Trainer
PHOTOS
Glamp It Up: Necessities and Accessories For Elevated Fall Camping
by Mikey Rox
Pack your satin-lined duffels, throw ‘em in the back of the Tessie, and venture beyond those claustrophobic urban borders with these glamping “success”-ories that’ll turn a big gay weekend in the woods from loathsome to “Let’s stay longer.”
Walden Campervans
Ditch the tent, city slicker, and satisfy your wanderlust in a campervan – the all-over-Instagram travel trend popularized by “van lifers” – now available for rent through websites like Outdoorsy (think Airbnb but for RVs) and companies like Walden Campervans. Custom vans available via the latter include luxuries like off-grid solar power and hot water systems, curated interiors, full-size memory foam mattresses, mini chef’s kitchens, and yes, even rooftop decks so you can cheers all fancy-like even when you’re far from home. $279-$299/night, WaldenCampervans.com
Ignik Heated Blanket
Cool-weather camping can make your willy chilly –especially if you like snoozin’ in the buff – but you can keep those nethers nice and toasty under Ignik’s heated sleeping bag liners that offer 12V directpower instant heat and 5V-USB efficiency modes for quick warm-ups in the wild. $100-$130, Ignik.com,
High Camp Highball Shaker
Inspired by a traditional Mason jar, High Camp’s stainless steel highball shaker features a “take mode” versatile coupling strainer for cocktails by the campfire, then pulls double duty as a single beer cooler that holds a tallboy or less on the next day’s hike. $80, HighCampFlasks.com
Sea & Summit Sunscreen
UV protection is a must on any outdoor adventure, and you’ll be primed to lounge in lazy hammocks, soak in hidden hot springs, and frolic in charming forests after you slather on Sea and Summit’s organic mineral sunscreens available in lotions and sticks for easy-breezy application. $10-$58, SeaAndSummitSunscreen.com
Bang & Olufsen Portable Speaker
Ain’t no party like a backwoods party – and the Beosound A1 was built to facilitate it. Waterproof with up to 27 hours of playtime, it’s also the world’s first portable Bluetooth speaker with fully integrated Alexa (because who knows when you might need a drone delivery deep in the backcountry), all packed into Bang & Olufsen’s sleek Scandinavian design the whole crew will stan. $250, Bang-Olufsen.com
BaseCamp Travel Press
With its patented Bru Stop technology and threaded lip that helps retain heat and prevent spills, the sturdy BaseCamp Travel Press lets you enjoy your favorite French-style pick-me-up over the river and through the woods. $60-$70, PlanetaryDesign.com
Raptic Tactical Wallet
Swap out your Louis billfold for the Raptic Tactical Wallet (while you’re wanderlusting at least), featuring an eight-in-one detachable multi-tool that includes flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, a wire cutter, box opener, pry bar, bottle opener (an essential tool when queer glamping), hex head wrench, and inchruler, all wrapped in an Apple AirTag holder for easy tracking if you drop it on a trail. $40, RapticStrong.com
California Cowboy Robes
You’ll need to cover up outside your campervan if you’re overnighting in a Cracker Barrel parking lot (might not sound glamorous but it’s a zero-cost alternative to inaccessible BLM land or overrun campgrounds), and California Cowboy’s robes – with their water-absorbent terrycloth linings, pockets designed specifically for smartphones and beer bottles, and belt loops to keep your privates from peekin’ out – are just the kind of lost-art-of-luxury style statements you want to make when you’re “roughing” it on the road. $148, CaliforniaCowboy.com
Kiva Headlamp
Brighten up your day or night activities, like caving in national parks and monuments, with Kiva’s waterproof, lightweight headlamp (that one online reviewer celebrated as “best on the market”), which provides 150 Lumens with light-setting memory recall and an easy one-hand bezel with integrated USB charger attached to an adjustable, comfortable strap. $50, Lander.com
Traveler Backpack
Built for a three- to four-day adventure, the 35L rolltop Traveler Backpack has just enough room for a couple pairs of pants, shirts, fresh undies (though camping commando is highly recommend), towel, toiletries and poppers, along with padded space for up to a 17-inch laptop and smartphone with “hot route” inner wireways for your charging cables. In other words, the bear necessities. $175, Lander.com
Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. He’s currently nomading around the country in his campervan because don’t die wondering. Connect with Mikey on Instagram @mikeyroxtravels
Because we all need a wise, Lesbian BFF!
By Marci Alt
I am writing in hopes that someone will stand up to continuous fight we have for Atlanta Pride. I have been to the meetings, I have volunteered with PRIDE and really all I would like to see is some cohesiveness. My Question is, How do we get some new blood in this ORGANIZATION???
HELP......
Desperate PRIDE Duchess
Dear Duchess,
Well this topic seems to be on the top of everyone’s mind these days. I’m not really sure how to answer this though. It is my understanding that both sides want this cohesiveness however I’m not sure what they’re doing to ensure it. Best advice I can give is DON’T give up on cohesiveness, keep communication lines open, and continue to demand answers. I believe that this strategy will have all of us back in the park, including all your loyal SUBJECTS, Duchess.
Good Luck
Lesbo
Lesbo
The weather has finally turned to FALL finally and my question is about my partner. He loves to Fu%! in the leaves in our backyard. The problem I have with this is our backyard can be seen by the surrounding neighbors. I
have never been a voyeur and knowing that people may be watching us have SEX truly scares me. Help, how do I tell him no to something he loves?
SCARED & STUPID
Dear SCARED
I get it as I remember once my own partner wanted to do it outside under the blue sky. I was so worried that someone would see us. The thought of being watched by others has me nervous. I am truly not that shy, however I believe sex is sacred between us and unwanted EYES should not bve allowed. I will give you the same advice I gave myself, do it at NIGHT no one can see yall then. I may be cold outside so have blankets and warmers to keep you warm. I must say for me the outside experience was exhilarating and knowing someone may have been watching was also intriguing. Give in to this as it may be the BEST SEX of your life. Have fun with this SCARED.
Wishing to Watch
Lesbo
Thanks so so much for all your questions. I love to answer them. I want to thank the staff of PEACH for all their understanding and support. I also want to personally thank Brian Sawyer for being there for me know matter what. Brian, your smile lights up our world, keep it up.
I need more questions to answer so please keep sending them in. you may not agree with my answers however i will answer. Have an awesome week!!!!
Lesbo
Photo: Meak Produc�ons
On Shaky Knees
HOW TO ENJOY MUSiC FESTiVALS POST-COViD
by Scott King
I want something else to get me through this... life. In our post-COVID, your most exotic fall getaway may be just down the street. It’s not a museum, noo. It’s not a new undiscovered hipster, vegan, fried chicken restaurant. It’s... other people. It’s mass consciousness. It’s interacting with thousands of human beings on a makeshift parkinglot playground of a grassy knoll.
It’s the three-dayAmerican music festival.
You get to spend a pleasant afternoon watching newer bands work through their material, searching for a hit or a riff. You can watch people nod along as they recognize the one song they’ve heard on their phones. Then you get Modest Mouse and The Strokes. These are bands who know how to make magic out of words and guitars. Pure magic too. Not just something catchy that made you feel alive in 2013 and then becomes a memory, a faint nostalgia. Something that takes you on a wave to a crystal castle in the sky and an acutely detailed memory that never fades.
Take a breath. Look up at the sky. Look back down at the stage and the lights as they merge with the darkness. See the line between you and the person next to you shake, rattle, quiver, do a spastic dance, and then fly up into the ether and disappear.
Take this year’s Shaky Knees Festival, for example. Shaky Knees is my favorite annual festival in Atlanta (besides Pride, of course). Great lineups. Great venue. Great vistas. Little stroke of genius that they put the Jumbotron next to the stage and right in line with a view of the towering Bank of America building. The relative darkness may not be the best light for selfies, but if you’re actually into aesthetics – and haunting memories – there’s nothing better than getting a photo of Josh Homme next to the Jumbotron of Josh Homme next to the resplendently phallic BOA building wishing it were Josh Homme.
At music festivals, you get to see and viscerally appreciate the difference between heroes and hacks. You get effortless demigods who haven’t self-destructed yet, who still show up for the gig. But with that you also have to endure the up-and-comers who think they’ve made it, who think they have contributed something to society just because they’re gigging.
Speaking of connections disappearing, don’t forget to cruise. When in the public sphere, we have to honor our ancient queer roots. Take a look around. Look for dudes who are also looking around. Flirt with people. Make sure it’s appropriate and make sure it’s a vibe, but flirt with people. No matter what their gender or if they are or are not too sexy for their shirt. Flirt with people. Make their day. And yours. Everybody wants to think that those romantic comedies where two strangers just start talking to each other over a promotional flyer or a spilled cup of coffee are real. Music festivals are the one place to prove that they can be. For a moment.
Watch out for douchebags, though. They will steal your energy. Pay them no mind and don’t judge yourself for judging them. Just move on with your visual, musical, emotional and spiritual experience. Because there are some shitty people out there. And there are some OK people out there who become
really annoying when they’re on designer drugs or just drunk as a skunk and boring and narcissistic. Imagine the Kardashians without the alleged charisma. That’s half the human race.
Tap into someone groovy. Feel the music. Feel the energy. If none of this is working for you, walk away. Take a stroll and check out what kind of vibe is manifesting by the merch stand. Even the porta-potty. Sometimes that is where people’s humanity shines brightest.
I’m most excited for Run the Jewels. Right? Their records are so enervating that I’m not sure how they won’t blow a circuit.
St. Vincent will bring her thing. And it will be good. But the Foo Fighters’ bro-energy will trump all of that. Pun
intended. I’m boycotting Friday night. Stevie Nicks and Annie Clark would have been something out of this world. Something like a couple years ago when David Byrne played the main stage as the sun set on Friday evening. That shock of white hair and orange burst of the Atlanta skyline disappearing until we all turned into twinkles. Yeah. Obviously I will never forget that.
In conclusion, go to music festivals. Get out of the house. A one-day pass at the Shaky Knees Festival costs about the same as three orders of Uber Eats. You wanted to cut down on carbs anyway, didn’t you? Thought so.
Rock on, love children. Hopefully next year they will finally book Third Eye Blind. One can dream.
“Scott King writes and lives in midtown Atlanta. He likes to go for long, long walks with no destination in mind. If you see him out walking, please say hello.”
Peach Scene @
PRIDE CLOSING PARTY
PHOTOS
Peach Scene @
AURORA SUNRISE DANCE FUEGO
B AR S
2 Blake's 227 10 th S t NE
3 Bulldog s 893 Peachtree S t NE
4 Fr iend s 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
6 My Sister’s Room 66 12th S t NE
7 Ten At lan t a 990 Piedmont Ave NE
Dini n g
9 10 th & P iedmon t 991 Piedmont Ave NE
fitne ss
404-bailout
B
BARS & CLUBS
MIDTOWN
ATLANTA EAGLE CLOSED atlantaeagle.com
306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
BLAKE’S ON THE PARK blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE
BULLDOGS 893 Peachtree St NE
FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR friendsonponce-atl. com
736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
MY SISTER’S ROOM mysistersroom.com 66 12th St NE
TEN ATLANTA tenatlanta.com 990 Piedmont Ave NE THE T modeltatlanta.com 465 Boulevard SE CHESHIRE
hereticatlanta.com 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road
BJ ROOSTERS bjroosters.com 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
A
of Gay
oscarsatlanta.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
woofsatlanta.com 494 Plasters Ave NE
DINING
MIDTOWN
10TH & PIEDMONT 10thandpiedmont. com 991 Piedmont Ave NE
EINSTEIN’S einsteinsatlanta. com 1077 Juniper St NE
FROGS CANTINA frogsmidtown.com 931 Monroe Dr
G’S gsmidtown.com 219 10th St NE
HENRY’S henrysatl.com 132 10th St NE
JOE’S ON JUNIPER joesonjuniper.com 1049 Juniper St NE
LA HACIENDA lahaciendamidtown. com 900 Monroe Dr NE
RETAIL
MIDTOWN
BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
CHESHIRE
SOUTHERN NIGHTS
VIDEO 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
ANSLEY
BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com 1447 Piedmont Ave NE
GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta. com 1510-D Piedmont Ave. NE
Ave SE
CHESHIRE
LAS MARGARITAS lasmargaritasmidtown.com 1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
ROXX 1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
DEKALB
LIPS ATLANTA atldragshow.com 3011 Buford Hwy NE
FITNESS
MIDTOWN
URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbody tness.com 500 Amsterdam Ave N
CHESHIRE GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com 2201 Faulkner Rd NE
FLEX SPA exspas.com 76 4th St NW CHESHIRE
Peach Scene @
PRIDE PARTY @ THE ROXY
October 20th - 27th
Bianca Del Rio @ The Eastern | October 20th (8 PM)
Get your vaccinations and cocktails because everyone's favorite "clown in a gown", Bianca Del Rio, is returning to the stage with her new comedy tour "Unsanitized"! She's vaxxed; she's waxed, and she has more attitude than ever. The pandemic may be ending, but Bianca is just getting started. If you liked COVID-19, you'll love BIANCA-21.
Halloween Treat Trail @ The Point | October 22nd - October 29th
Participating Retailers:
Art of Wax
BoruBoru Sushi
Code Ninjas
The General Muir
Creep & Crawl through our stores and restaurants below in your most ghoulish getup to collect Halloween candy!
Shop local arts, handmade goods, and support small business while enjoying the beautiful EAV Community Park and the Sip of Paradise garden! Costumes encouraged!
The G8YTIES 80s Dance Party @ Heretic | October 22nd (10 - 3 AM)
Join us as we celebrate Pride month.
$5 off presale tickets. Use discount code: PRIDE.
Come out and dance to all your favorite 80's dance songs including Girls just want to have fun, Like a prayer, We got the beat, Hungry like the wolf, Wake me up before you go go, Karma Chameleon, You spin me right round, I wanna dance with somebody, Let the music play, Tell it to my heart, and more. Come early, stay late.
Atlanta Brunch Festival @ Atlantic Station | October 23rd (12 - 4 PM)
Celebrating brunch with brunch bites from great Atlanta restaurants, mimosas, bloody marys,Brunch Punch, Seltzer, beer, and wine. Live Music and DJ Qtip
Brunch samples will cost $3 paid directly to each restaurant vendor
Tickets:
Bottomless Drinks Tickets (includes all drinks 12pm-3:45pm, Food costs extra)
$45 Advance, $50 after Oct. 14 , $60 day of event
Early Entry Tickets (includes unlimited drinks, early entry at 11am, 4 food tickets for any restaurant tent)
$65 advance, $70 after Oct. 14, $80 day of event
GUY SCHEIMAN @ Heretic | October 23rd (10 - 3 AM)
GUY SCHEIMAN (TEL AVIV) at Heretic. $20 Tickets. VAXX Required!
Dear Peach,
There is a big business venture that I desperately want to embark on but I am terribly scared of losing the stability that I currently have at my job. While it is not the most fulfilling, it certainly has saved me the most in my time of need.
What can I do to assure myself that my next step off the cliff is going to be a safe one?
Reader, I wish that I could give more comforting advice to you in this time of need, but I just cannot.
The beauty of a challenge with high risks is that you do not know what the outcome is. There is no reward without blood, sweat and tears. You are going to jump off the cliff and the fall will be a foot, or it might be a mile. Noone will know unless you actually take the chance and go for it.
Take a moment to take a look at what your life could be if you do something that brings you more joy however. If you truly want to take the plunge and go for it, you might have the most amazing experience. If you dont however, then again... you will never know what could have been.
It is time for you to take someone on a date and see where it takes you, Libra! Whether it be a significant other that you have been with for years or someone new, there should still be sparks in a relationship and by adding some spice with a new romantic date, it might liven up elsewhere too, if you know what I mean!
You are a home body this week, Scorpio. Who hurt you recently that caused you to retreat from going out and living that wild Scorpio life? You are feeling incredibly domestic which will manifest itself in finding busy work around the house to do. This might not be a bad thing as you have needed to do this for a while, but make sure that once the chores are done, you return to your normal and social self. but
Your love life has been incredibly active and stimulating recently, but this week is going to slow down a bit. It is becoming time for you to take time to know this person outside of the bedroom and really pick their brain to see if they are indeed a good match for you in the midst of the romps! While you know that you are sexually compatible, you need to make sure that other things align as well.
You have a juicy secret that you have been keeping from people, Capricorn. While this is all fun and games for the time being, the secret you are holding back might be one that will really damage someone or their career. As desperately as you want to expose this secret, see if it is even worth it this week. What do you have to lose? Nothing. What do they have to lose? Everything. week. have
This is the time for you to foster the close friend group that you have been longing for, Aquarius. You have spent so much time enveloped in your work that you have lost sight of the people close to you that have been helping you achieve your goals. While you have the utmost pride in your work, you have been missing the social aspect and you are going to find it relatively soon. But do not rush.
Hard work is going to be rewarded this week, Pisces. It seems as though you have been a workhorse for some time now. Has it gone unnoticed? Not totally. People have noticed but they have not acknowledged it. This week someone close to you will, and it will make all the more difference in feeling confident about yourself and your work.
through a
You are going to have a really wonderful learning expereince this week by meeting someone from a differeing culture than you. You are going to feel emboldened to learn more. It might be through a trip to another country soon, or just starting learn more about another culture, but either way it will be an experience you cherish.
You are feeling a strong love attraction this season, Taurus. You have been in the season of change recently but you are looking forward to the season to settle down with someone. You have been a part of the rat race for so long that all you want is some sense of stability... maybe it's with someone as opposed to a new job or similar.
It's time to learn something new. You have some really wonderful people in your life recently and you can learn so much from them, so why not do just that? If you can reach out and talk to someone who you find interesting, talk to them and really see about learning more about what they do to immerse yourself in what you can learn even more. to
You have a natural abilitiy to be incredibly independent but you might have to take on the caretaker role fairly soon, and that makes you nervous. However, you have the ability to take on the care taker role because you ARE independent. Your ability to take care of yourself will help this other individual and as you mentor them, they will grow.
You are in the communication area of the season, Leo! You need to communicate with those closest to you or else you won't have them around for much longer. While you are hesitant to discuss matters that are intimate with others, this is the best time to express those feeling and see if they feel the same way, to
time to take a bit of a break this week, Virgo. You have been going going for so long that you are about to burn out entirely. You cannot fill other people's cups when yours is running on empty. As much you want to also solve other people's problems... you cannot. So stop trying so hard and take a damn nap or something! is going as trying so hard and take a damn nap or something!
