Michele Baer & Zoe and Jake

Who is in the photo at right?

That's me, Michele Baer, and Jake. Zoe & Jake are our 3 year old Border Terriers. I'm a partner in a Web Development business, Cloudyreason.com, and I also have a Border Terrier Blog - BorderJoy.com.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

We have coffee every morning after our walk. Today Jake is in my lap as I look through my first emails on my iPad.

What's brewing?

Really strong, black Costco Coffee, our favorite.

Any treats for you or Zoe and Jake on this occasion?

Jake and Zoe love their dried liver treats, we also give them bits of chicken and venison from the table … I know, we're terrible! We eat only Grass Fed, Free Range Beef and Chicken and we love venison so the dogs treats are very lean and without hormones and all those other horrible things people put in processed meats.

How did Zoe and Jake get their names? Any aliases?

We call Jake "Jakey" much of the time because he is so cute! Zoe is "Zo" except when she's in trouble then it's a strong ZO-EEE! She's the one who stirs things up most of the time .. she's a trip.

How were you and Zoe and Jake united?

We purchased Zoe first from a wonderful breeder in Montana. Zoe flew to us at 12 weeks and we fell in love. About 5 months later we had to have "just one more!" so we purchased Jake from the same breeder. Jake and Zoe have the same father "Jake" so they are half brother and sister. Their temperaments are outstanding, they are just the sweetest, most obedient dogs (within reason) you can imagine.

Who are Zoe and Jake's best pet-pals?

They love our Grand-Dogs Puuka, a Morkie, and LeeLoo, an Australian Cattle Dog. They also love Heather and Hank, two Border Terriers owned by Carol and John O'Connor. Jake, Zoe, Heather and Hank go on may walks and adventures together.

Squirrel, cat, postman...?

Yikes, Border Terriers are hunters! Jake is in hunt mode 24/7 … Zoe to a lesser degree but she will spend days digging a turtle out from under the ground, she's very persistent. So far they've been able to catch and/or dig up turtles, rabbits, rats, squirrels, wild pig, many birds and they even swam after dolphins playing one day in the Intracoastal! You would never think these cute and cuddly little terriers would be so … well … deadly to small animals but they are.

The Postman get kisses.

Squeaky-toy, ball, stick...?

We have banned any squeaky toys from the house they drive us crazy! We have to be very careful the type of toys we give them, they must be very very tuff or the pups just tear them to shreds and we're concerned that they will eat the shredded pieces. They have never chewed any furniture or anything in the house, but they are tuff on toys. We give them large marrow bones to chew.

If you give Zoe or Jake a ball or stick the game becomes "I have it and you cannot get it from me" ... so it's not a lot of fun on our end. If we do manage to grab the stick while it's in their mouth they will not let go of it, you can lift them off the ground and they will not let go. Terrier.

What is each dog's best quality?

Zoe is a human lover, she prefers people to dogs (except her pack). She will kiss you, she will live in your lap, she loves children, she is sweet-sweet-sweet to all humans.

Strangers are given much love and it's wonderful to have this being with us who caries so much love with her and gives it so freely.

Jake is kind and sweet but much less extroverted. He is extremely loyal and obedient and will be protective of Zoe and Mike and I and our family. Gentle but the heart of a lion.

Jake is our hunter, it's his #1 pastime.

If Zoe and Jake could change one thing about you, what would it be?

Zoe would have me allow her to sleep with us every night. I have trouble sleeping through the night with them so they sleep on the sofa most nights.

Jake would have me quit work. He does complain about the hours I spend at my computer.

He would like to be out in the boat or hiking with us all day, every day!

If Hollywood made a movie about your life in which Zoe and Jake could speak, which actors should do their voices?

Zoe would be Reese Witherspoon and she would play characters like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. Zoe is a girly girl all the way.

Jake would be Sean Connery or Harrison Ford, he loves adventure.

If Zoe and Jake could answer only one question in English, what would you ask them?

Do you love us as much as we love you? No .. never mind .. it doesn't matter.

Visit the Border Terrier Blog - BorderJoy.com.

--Marshal Zeringue