“The great thing about dogs is they teach you about love, they teach you about constant forgiveness,” actor and choreographer Darrin Henson tells EBONY when asked about the impact dogs have had on his life. “They truly teach you about how important time is. One year for us, seems like seven for them. So it’s a lesson on utilizing time to work for you and with you. We don’t have time to hold on to things that are negative.” An owner of two Cane Corsos, Ahu and Tama Buku, Henson’s love for the four-legged animals started out in childhood. He vividly remembers his family having at least two pets at any given time. His father and grandfather raised everything from Dobermans and Great Danes to Boxers.
In adulthood, that love translated to him working for a rescue organization in Los Angeles and through affiliation with that brand, a friend believed that the actor could provide a loving home for the two Cane Corsos who at the time needed to be rehomed.
“They’re amazing. These two particular dogs weren’t rescues, but they kind of were. I always say, we don’t just rescue dogs, dogs rescue us as well. There’s this beautiful synergy that we have with each other. They know what’s going on with me and I know what’s going on with them— whether visually or emotionally. We have a language that we speak together and that language is love.”
Though Henson’s schedule can often be demanding, he’s learned to balance his responsibility of having pets. He’s currently gearing up for the release of his latest film “First Fruit”, season 7 of “The Family Business” on Paramount +, as well as the launch of a new TV series that he directed and produced called “Twin Pillars” coming to Tubi in September.
Despite being pulled in many directions, he still carves out time for his dogs. A typical day usually means getting up around 6am for a walk with Ahu and Tama Buku followed by some play time, especially their favorite, playing catch with their Kong toy. In the evenings, they’re already waiting for him to get home with their toys excited for another round of fun.
When it comes to travel, ”The Family Business” star says that his dogs love road trips more than he does. They’ve taken many adventures together, including Georgia to Los Angeles, trips to Chicago as well as Detroit and Louisiana— typically opting to stay in pet-friendly hotels.
“My dogs are very loving,” Henson dotes. “People call them clingy but they love to just be by your side, and I love that. I don’t see it as we’re their owners, but more so we are their humans and we belong to each other.”
Much like his pets, music also has a way of fueling the actor’s soul. For him, it provides an opportunity to tap in deeper to his emotions.
“I typically listen to piano conciertos, Chinese flute or R&B. What it does is allow me to focus and get tapped in, tuned in and turned on to the space that I’m holding.”
If you’re thinking about adding a dog to your family, consider adopting or rescuing through trusted resources like Petfinder.com to help a pet in need find a loving home.