James Guiliani - Dogfella: How an Abandoned Dog Named Bruno Turned This Mobsters Life Around—A Memoir

Dogfella

Dogfella

How an Abandoned Dog Named Bruno
Turned This Mobsters Life Around

A Memoir

James Guiliani

with Charlie Stella

Da Capo Press

A Member of the Perseus Books Group

Copyright 2015 by James Guiliani

Photos courtesy of James Guiliani, except where noted otherwise

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America. For information, address Da Capo Press, 44 Farnsworth Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02210.

Designed by Jack Lenzo

Set in 10.5 point Janson by the Perseus Books Group

Cataloging-in-Publication data for this book is available from the Library of Congress.

First Da Capo Press edition 2015

ISBN: 978-0-7382-1808-3 (e-book)

Published by Da Capo Press

A Member of the Perseus Books Group

www.dacapopress.com

Note: Certain names and identifying details of people associated with events described in this book have been changed. Any similarity to actual persons is coincidental.

Da Capo Press books are available at special discounts for bulk purchases in the U.S. by corporations, institutions, and other organizations. For more information, please contact the Special Markets Department at the Perseus Books Group, 2300 Chestnut Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, or call (800) 810-4145, ext. 5000, or e-mail special.markets@perseusbooks.com.

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I dedicate this book to all the animals who have graced my life, to include those who have passed and those I couldnt save. From the moment I found an abused and abandoned shih tzu who I named Bruno, animals have blessed my life. They saved me when I most needed saving. For the gift of life they gave me, I dedicate the rest of my life returning the favorto rescue and care for animals.

I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, He can work through anyone.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Until one has loved an animal, a part of ones soul remains unawakened.

Anatole France

Contents

Chapter 1:

Chapter 2:

Chapter 3:

Chapter 4:

Chapter 5:

Chapter 6:

Chapter 7:

Chapter 8:

Chapter 9:

Chapter 10:

This book is based on my life and I recorded it all as faithfully as possible, drawing on my recollection of personal experiences. I did change some names and identifying details of people and places in the book. These minor changes were simply intended to protect the privacy of the people involved. With these necessary exceptions, the stories in this book are true.

Bruno

The construction should be finished in another week or two, Lena said. Itll be fine.

And the bar we couldve opened in two days, I said.

I was in a pissy mood because I was about to go into a business I knew nothing about, a business Id bankrupted my pension to start. Lena was doing her best to keep me calm. She was familiar with my MO: when James gets upset, he goes on a bender for days at a time.

We were having our morning coffee at Cafe Sorrento on Eighteenth Avenue in Brooklyn, just a few blocks from where our first business venture, an animal boutique, was under construction. It was a dreary, shitty day in May 2006. The sky was gray and the air was thick and muggy. Id been relatively good the last few nights, at least coming home after I was finished drinking in local bars, but I was still holding onto my original idea for a business, to open a gay bar someplace in Manhattan. I still had street connections that could make a place like that swing, but Lena knew better. She reminded me of it before I took another sip of espresso.

I cant believe youre still talkin about a bar, she said.

Not just a bar, I said. A gay bar. Those people spend. They like to party.

Lena rolled her eyes.

Look at me, I said. If we opened in the right location, itd be a winner.

Youre delusional, she said.

We opened a gay bar, I wouldnt have to clean up cat shit all day.

Like you clean it up now.

Hey, theyre your cats, I reminded her. Its a good thing they use that box you gave them.

Its called a litter box, Lena said.

Whatever.

Shed had a dozen or more cats when I moved in with her three years earlier. She also had one dog, a pug shed named Brock. The poor bastard. Imaginea dozen cats, youre the only dog? I kind of bonded with one of her cats. I liked it when Sniffles rubbed up against my ankles in the morning.

Id never been an animal person, but I eventually got used to having Lenas brood around. I wasnt the type to talk to them, or play with them, but I did like Sniffles. I grew used to them, except for having them in our bed. Lena had let them sleep with her before I moved in. Id put an end to that day one.

In the meantime, we have to pay the electrician two thousand today and the plumber six hundred tomorrow, Lena said. And we have some decisions to make on stock.

I had about two grand in cash in my pocket from a cocaine sale she had no idea about. I have the electrician, I said.

And well need for the plumber tomorrow.

Ill get it.

And the stock we have to talk about.

Like I have a clue about that shit.

Why you need to pay attention.

I shook my head and downed an espresso.

Do we want to accept the dog beds? Lena said. Theyre expensive.

Dog beds, I said. The guys inna joint could hear this conversation, fuhgeddaboudit.

The guys in the joint are probably all dead now. That was almost twenty years ago. Get over it.

I already took the plastic off one of the beds, so I guess accept them. At least that one.

You couldve waited to take the plastic off, James. You know, discuss it first?

What is this, break Jamess balls day? You shouldve warned me, I wouldve brought a bottle of vodka.

And I wouldve broke it over your head.

It was how we sometimes started our day. Until I had half a dozen espressos in my system, I was fuckin cranky. Lena could only put up with so much before she got cranky, too. That morning she was trying to take care of business, but I was still waking up and I wasnt thrilled about our dog boutique.

So? she said.

What?

The beds?

I dont know, Lena. Do whatever you want.

Hey, you need to take an interest, James. I cant do everything by myself.

You can break my balls by yourself.

Asshole.

I had to laugh. Getting her to curse at me was also part of our morning routine. Once I accomplished that, we could move on.

I said, We took them on consignment, right? If we cant sell them, well ship them back. That way we dont have to eat them.

Lena winked at me.

What? I said.

I knew you could do it, she said. Good boy.

We could get crazy with one another, but there was never any doubt about loyalty. Shed once saved me from killing myself.

Leashes, she said.

What about them?

There are so many different kinds, but the retractable ones I dont wanna sell.

I had no idea what she was talking about. Why not?

Because theyre dangerous. You can get burns and cuts from them.

They sell?

What?

Do they sell? Do people buy them?

Yes, people buy them, but I dont want to sell them. Not those or choke collars, no way.

I shook my head. I didnt get it. To me it was business. If people were willing to buy it, you sold it. It was how I operated when I sold stepped-on blow to make enough money to feed my own cocaine habit. If there were suckers willing to pay for the diluted shit I was selling, I wasnt about to worry about them. Buyer beware. I had a habit to feed.