Melissa & Yuki and Rocket

Who is in the photo at right?

That’s me, Melissa. I’m just a girl from Texas. I’m a mom to a precocious daughter and wife to a brave soldier. I like to think of myself as a domestic goddess: I love to cook, bake, and craft.

The white schnauzer is Yuki, she’s a 1 year old female. The salt and pepper schnauzer is Rocket, he’s a male and 4 ½ months old.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Yuki has a bit of a barking problem, and one exercise we like to do, is going through the Starbucks drive-thru. She has learned the people in the drive-thru mean no harm and give us treats from the little window. Yuki no longer barks at the drive-thru, and along with Rocket they put their little noses in the air, and sniff-sniff-sniff all that wonderful goodness that is the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

What's brewing?

Starbuck’s Tall Skinny Vanilla Latte.

Any treats for you or the dogs on this occasion?

Just their Organix kibble they eat every morning.

How were you and Yuki and Rocket united?

They were both found through separate breeders. We had to drive a little further for Yuki, since the breeders house is in New Mexico. Rocket’s breeder’s home was closer, since it is in the same city.

How did Yuki and Rocket get their names? Any nicknames?

Yuki-- We lived in Japan for over 3 years and we fell in love with everything; the culture, the customs, the food, the people, and the names. I really liked the name Yuki and since it’s Japanese for snow, I thought it was a great name for the snow-white fur Yuki has.

Rocket-- This name actually was a nickname we had for Yuki. At the end of the evening she gets a hyper-boost of energy and runs around at super-speed. We thought she looked exactly like the rocket-dog shoe logo. My husband said, Rocket would’ve been a good name for Yuki. I told him, ‘yeah but, it’s a boy’s name. So, luckily we found a boy and had his name before we found him.

Nicknames: Yuki, I've always called her Yukipoo, My Yuki, or polar bear. Rocket doesn't have any nicknames really. My husband says he looks like a raccoon. I will usually call him mama's boy, my little man, or handsome.

Do Yuki and Rocket have a favorite place to go for walk?

No, not really. I have the world’s laziest schnauzer who runs away when she sees the harness coming out. Her little tail tucks and she fakes an injury with a limping paw.

Rocket, well, he’s Rocket … he thinks walking up the street is the most exciting thing ever.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

Birds. Their prey-drive kicks in when they see birds.

What is each dog's best quality?

Yuki-- She is a little mama. She genuinely cares for you if you are sick or get hurt.

Rocket-- He is such a clown. There is something he does everyday that really makes me laugh.

If Yuki and Rocket could change one thing about you, what would it be?

Me giving them more of the human’s food.

What is each dog's proudest moment so far? Most embarrassing?

Yuki-- proudest: Graduating from her advanced training class.

embarrassing: Poo’ing on her vet after her spay surgery.

Rocket-- proudest: Sitting and staying until released to eat his meals.

embarrassing: Anytime he had an accident on the carpet, inside the house. I think it’s why he was housebroken within days.

If Yuki and Rocket could each answer only one question in English, what would you ask them?

Yuki-- What’s with all the loud obnoxious barking?

Rocket-- Is there a limit to the amount of food you will actually eat before stopping?

Visit Yuki and Rocket's blog.

--Marshal Zeringue