Carrie Jones & Tala

Who is in the photo at right?

This is Tala, 5, Great Pyr. She barks.

I am Carrie, way older than 5. I write.

We are both communicators.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

It’s We Saw A Bobcat Day.

What's brewing?

Unfortunately, I can’t have coffee or caffeine, so we are drinking Postum (our last jar), which is a liquid cereal drink made out of grain.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

Strudel and Snausages.

Any treat for Tala on this occasion?

Strudel and Snausages. We like to share.

How did you and Tala come together?

We met in Western Maine. She was rolling around on the grass, drooling. It was love at first sight.

How has Tala influenced your writing?

She makes me wake up in the morning. Without her I would just stay in bed and nothing would ever get done.

How did Tala get her name?

It means wolf. She sort of looks like a wolf. Um… Okay. That’s stretching it.

Who is Tala's best pet-pal?

Logan, Renee Sweet’s dog. They interview each other.

What's Tala's best quality?

She is a lover not a fighter.

What's Tala's proudest moment so far? Her most embarrassing?

Scaring away the bear.

Barking at Scotty, her new brother, and making him pee on the fake Christmas tree out of sheer fear.

Or maybe the time we put the pink tutu and tiara on her.

Carrie Jones graduated from Vermont College’s MFA program for writing. She has edited newspapers and poetry journals and has won awards from the Maine Press Association and also been awarded the Martin Dibner Fellowship as well as a Maine Literary Award.

Her books include Girl, Hero, Love (and Other Uses for Duct Tape), Tips on Having a Gay (Ex) Boyfriend, and Need.

Visit Carrie Jones' website and LiveJournal.

--Marshal Zeringue