Akila and Patrick & Chewy and Abby

Who is in the photo at right?

Akila - writer, lawyer, lover of all things food; Patrick - software developer, photographer, hungry adventurer; Chewy - 11-year-old male cocker spaniel, extraordinary kisser; Abby - 8-year-old female beagle/border collie, princess of the universe

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Coffee --- or Coke --- in the mornings on long road trips with the dogs in the back of the SUV, as we roam across the United States and Europe

What's brewing?

Preferably Turkish coffee, but, if not, then espresso

Any treats for you or the dogs on this occasion?

In most of Europe, coffee demands biscuits or cookies, so, always! Chewy and Abby always get a little bit from the table.

How were you and your dogs united?

We found Chewy at a pet store that still sold dogs (and the poor baby had all sorts of medical issues because he may have been a puppy mill dog) and Abby was a rescue.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Chewy was chewing at the bars of his cage and I named him the moment I saw him.

Patrick named Abby after we spent hours searching for an appropriate girl name for her. Too many aliases to count.

You've been around the world with your dogs. Where is the the least dog-friendly place you've been?

Least dog-friendly: Turkey (but it's not as bad as we thought it would be.)

How about the most dog-friendly?

Friendliest country: England, followed closely by Italy. [photo right: Chewy and Abby in the Peak District, England]

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

Abby is obsessed with the cats in Turkey.

Who are your dogs' best pet-pals?

Their cousins!

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

Chewy's current favorite squeaky toy is a teddy bear purchased in Budapest but he changes out his favorites every week.

Abby's toy of choice is one very used giant pink flamingo that we got for her in Las Vegas about six years ago.

[photo left: Abby in Budapest]

What is each dog's best quality?

Chewy has an unconquerable heart and Abby has an unconquerable spirit.

If your dogs could change one thing about you, what would it be?

More treats (and especially chicken and turkey)!

If your dogs could speak in the movie about your lives, who should do their voices?

Chewy - Owen Wilson; Abby - Gwyneth Paltrow

Learn more the dogs and their travels at The Road Forks and The Road Unleashed.

--Marshal Zeringue