Tom Fuller, a successful businessman, also happens to be a talented musician, singer, and songwriter. After many years of achievement in the corporate world, he’s returned to one of his two true passions—making music—with his independently released CD, Chasing an Illusion, and his first hit single, “Back Again.”
What is Fuller’s other true passion? It's his best friend: his 10-year old lab named Star who is the collaborator in his work and in his life. We recently talked to Tom Fuller about both passions—and about his support for The Humane Society of the United States.
HSUS: You’ve said that Star has accompanied you on your journey to artistic success. Could you have picked a better companion?
Fuller: Actually, Star picked me. The first time I saw her, she came over to me, stayed by me, and when I looked in her eyes, I knew we were supposed to be together. That’s what it’s like with animals, I think. If you let it happen, they’ll pick us.
HSUS: What role has she played in your life?
Fuller: She’s my best friend. She comes to work with me every day. Which seems so contrary to how I was trained, how most people are trained, in the business world. But it’s so cool. She can roam around the office, and she gets attention from everyone. I just have to enforce the snack quota! But it’s funny. When I’m leaving the office for a meeting, she goes right in to my office and waits there for me. I also run a business that is international in scope, and I sometimes have visitors from countries where dogs aren’t held in such high regard, or maybe are even feared. Star has such a sweet personality that she wins everyone over. She’s truly an ambassador.
HSUS: And what about your relationship with her in your personal life?
Fuller: I know everyone who loves animals will understand this. She’s really been there for me when I’ve needed emotional support. I’ve had moments in my life where I’ve needed it desperately. When life is challenging, she’s there. I can picture times when Star and I have been lying nose to nose talking to each other, and I know she knows what I’m talking about. It just pure, unconditional love.
HSUS: You grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. Did you always have pets and was it the same kind of relationship?
Fuller: I come from a family of six kids, and we always had a family dog. All of our dogs were members of the family. But they weren’t allowed on the furniture. And certainly not on the bed.
HSUS: So how did Star break the bed barrier?
Fuller: When Star was about 3 months old, she was trying to dig under the fence to get to the dog next door. Somehow she got stuck and hurt herself. I remember driving to the vet with Star in my lap, and I felt so terrible for her. When we got home, I thought I’d let her sleep in the bed, just that night. She’s been there ever since, and from that point on, our bond was just immense.
HSUS: If you have to go on the road, do you take Star?
Fuller: I try to take her everywhere. She loves the car, and when I travel, I primarily take road trips. I’ve only flown her a couple of times, and I hated doing it. She loves riding in the back seat. I used to drive an SUV, but as she’s gotten older, it’s too hard for her to jump in. So I traded in my SUV for a sedan, to make life easier for her. If I can’t take her with me for whatever reason, I have a bunch of people who volunteer to watch over her.
HSUS: So Star’s with you when you’re writing songs. Do you think animals appreciate music on any level?
Fuller: Star loves music. She's heard every song I've ever written. When I’m writing, I get into a creative mode, and she’s always right there with me. Every so often, I’ll be doing something that just isn’t working, and she knows it. If Star gets up and leaves the room it’s like “Okay, the vote is in. Time to move on and do something else.” She’ll also tell me when enough is enough. She’ll walk over and wag her tail, looking at me like, “It’s time to go to bed!” and of course it's always about 2 in the morning.
HSUS: Is there a song on your album, Chasing an Illusion, that expresses your love for animals, or is inspired by animals?
Fuller: I think the spirituality in my music can be applied to animals, as well as to humans. There’s a line in the new single we just released, “Dare to Love,” that goes “calico cats need looking after.” That speaks to my core belief that animals are important. Animals need looking after. I think that about Star, as well. In fact, I hate to think about it, but Star’s 10 years old now. When it’s her time to go to dog heaven, I’ll think of another of my songs, "Someone Like You," which is, to me, a very spiritual tune.
HSUS: Has Star led you to care about looking after other animals.
Fuller: Without a doubt. That’s why I’ve decided to help support The HSUS’s Pets for Life program. Because there are so many animals—and people—who aren’t lucky enough to share the bond that Star and I have shared. And it’s not just dogs and cats. I’m performing at a couple of benefits for The HSUS, and one is all about saving wild horses. I worked in a stable when I was 14, so I’ve cared about horses since I was a kid.
HSUS: In retrospect, Star looks like a prophetic name. How did you come up with it?
Fuller: She had such a genuine, loving personality. Her personality really defines her name—she is a Star.
