Somerville Native Saves Dogs on Reality TV Show

If you think Stacia Gorgone looks familiar, it may be because you've seen her walking dogs along the Community Path. She has three dogs, although on any given day she might be caring for more.

Or, maybe you watched her on "Hillbilly Handfishin'," a reality TV show on Animal Planet about catfishing.

Now, Gorgone, a Somerville native, is featured in a new reality TV show that airs on TLC on Aug. 12. TLC is the same network that has brought us shows like "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo," "Extreme Cougar Wives" and "Little People Big World."

The show, "Boston Unerdogs," which is one-time special, not a series, follows Gorgone as she frantically works to find owners for homeless dogs through her dog rescue, KickAss K9. 

"Boston Underdogs" also follows the drama with family and friends that stems from her efforts—like when her boyfriend complains there are too many dogs in the house. Based on a screener of the show, there are tears, arguments, breakups, makeups and triumphant moments as Gorgone tries to balance her passion for rescuing dogs with the rest of her life.

The show "is about me and my family," Gorgone said. What's more, she added, "You get to see these amazing people who adopt these great dogs."

Gorgone lives around Lexington Park, outside Davis Square, in the house she grew up in, and her home seems to be a regular setting for scenes in the show.

The Somerville native started KickAss K9 after her dalmatian of over a decade, P.J., died. Her current three dogs are named Mitzi, Marco and Peaches. Marco comes from Thailand through the Soi Dog Foundation, which helps neglected dogs from that country and promotes spaying and neutering.

Gorgone named her dog rescue "KickAss K9" in part because "I'm from Somerville, so I'm a pretty tough chick," she said. The rescue—which has its 501(c)3 tax status and all the required certifications, Gorgone said—has helped place around a hundred dogs, she estimated.

While many dog rescues use strong social media networks to find prospective homes for animals, Gorgone said, "Everything I do is from people I know." She works at a bar in Everett called Shooters Sports Bar & Grill (she used to work at Champions, also in Everett), and she's gotten to know lots of people, she said.

As for "Boston Underdogs," Gorgone said she was approached to do the show by producers she worked with on Hillbilly Handfishin', and she decided to sign up.

"Everything you see is one hundred percent real. They didn't make us do anything phony," she said.

"I was comfortable with the network; I liked the production company," she said.

She said about her work with KickAss K9, "It's more crazy in real life then it is on TV."

"By no way do I think I'm the best dog person on the face of the earth," Gorgone said. Rather, she considers herself a "doggie match maker."

To watch the show, tune into TLC on Monday, Aug. 12, at 10 p.m.