Kevin & Cynder

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm Kevin, also known as "that dog dancing guy." Pet blogger and also Social Media Officer at The Lost Dogs' Home (one of Australia's largest animal shelters. With me is Cynder, she is a 10 month old Black and White Border Collie.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

End of the work day, just relaxing with a couple of friends showing them our new house.

What's brewing?

Just a tea for me!

Any treats for you or the dogs on this occasion?

Cynder got to enjoy some of her Jollie biscuits that she received as part of her Christmas stash!

When you were last here with your dog Luna, Cynder hadn't been born. How did Luna take the introduction of a new puppy in the household?

To say that Luna was excited to have a new friend is a bit of an understatement. She welcomed Cynder into the family quite well, in fact she was a little overzealous with her love to begin with!

Unfortunately for the girls not everything continued so peachy keen at home and I am now separated from their other dad. Luna has stayed living with him and Cynder moved with me. I'm currently writing a series of articles on relationships ending and moving out with one of the dogs.

How did Cynder get her name? Any nicknames?

Trying to choose a name for her was proving quite difficult. We wanted something that would sound nice next to Luna's name and yet we were struggling to choose something. We had quite a few Skylanders around (which are characters from a Wii game) and I was listing them off. One of the dragons is named Cynder and seeing as I have quite a fondness for Dragons I decided that was that!

Who are Cynder's best pet-pals?

Cynder absolutely loves her sister Stella, they see each other at workshops with Melbourne Canine Freestyle (Dances with Dogs) as well as her Border Collie friend Lily. Luna just absolutely loves anyone she meets! Cynder is also fascinated by my frogs, Froggle and Marshie.

What is Cynder's best quality?

Her brains. She is incredibly smart and learns very very quickly. She also manages to teach herself a few tricks here and there which I just need to keep an eye out for.

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

Ball... Anything that is round, that she can fetch, and possibly squeaks and you have Cynder's undivided attention. It's the first thing she wants to do when she gets up and the last thing she wants to do before she sleeps.

If Luna and Cynder could change one thing about Australians, what would it be?

They would change the attitude of those that don't care for their pets properly. They would love to see a world where there is no need for animal shelters or rescue groups because every animal is in a loving and caring home.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life in which Cynder could speak, which actor should do her voice?

This is a bit of a hard one for Cynder! I would have to say Anna Kendrick or maybe even Rebel Wilson... She is quite a clown at times.

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

Do you understand why you don't live together anymore?

See--Coffee with a Canine: Kevin and Antonio & Luna (October 2011).

Visit Kevin's "that dog dancing guy" blog.

--Marshal Zeringue