Elizabeth Speller & Erwin

Who is in the photo at right?

That's me, Elizabeth Speller, and my dog. I write poetry, books on history and travel and, more recently, novels set in the 1920’s. My dog is an eight month old Hungarian Viszla, his name is Erwin. Viszlas (or Vislak, correctly!) are very loving and are scarcely ever more than a few inches away (some people call them Velcro dogs). When they are at any distance they are 100% energy and bounce a lot. Mostly they believe they are lap dogs. This was OK when he was a puppy but is becoming more overwhelming!

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Erwin believes he shares every part of my life. I wouldn’t yet trust him in a coffee shop but he likes to pretend to relax next to me in the garden as I have my summer’s day coffee in the hope I’ll put my mug down within tongue reach.

What's brewing?

Nespresso. I choose entirely on pod colour – I love the dusky pink pods and deep sinful purple ones, cream ones and a summery sky blue. Not keen on bile yellow or the unattractively cold dark green. Mornings I have cappuccino. Later I have decaf espresso (deep terracotta): Erwin likes it too though is not allowed to have it. He also likes the discarded pods and I am often to be found with my hand deep in his mouth retrieving them.

Any treats for you or Erwin on this occasion?

My treat is sunshine and the paper but I feed him chews to distract him from what would be his greatest treat: trying to share my coffee or eat the newspaper.

How were you and Erwin united?

I shared rooms at Cambridge with a friend who was training to become a Vet. She is now qualified and breeds Viszlas and offered a puppy to me as she knew I was looking for a new dog and she said his hair was the same colour as mine.

How did he get his name? Any nicknames?

After Erwin Schrödinger – the Hungarian physicist (being a Hungarian dog). I am not sure his genius is reflected in my dog’s psyche (though he may be biding his time) but quantum mechanics is a bit of a mystery to me too.

Does Erwin play any role in your writing?

Distraction, mostly. He tries to climb on my lap and when he succeeds bashes his great paws on the keyboard. He also eats my reference books given half a chance.

Does Erwin have a favorite place to go for walk?

I live in the Cotswold hills in the west of England. We can walk straight from my garden through a wood with an ancient Roman spring and, in May, lots of bluebells, and on into valleys full of challenges (squirrels, partridge mud, badger setts, rotting things) for a growing dog.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

Wily postman carries dog biscuits and Erwin’s attempts to be a cat-vanquisher have come to grief with my very old stiff cat who chases him off, sits on his chair, eats his food and generally shows him what’s what in the matter of power dynamics.

What is Erwin's best quality?

His affectionate, gentle nature and his handsomeness.

If your dog could change one thing about your children, what would it be?

That they would share their Haribou.

What's Erwin's proudest moment so far? His most embarrassing?

Proudest moment – catching a fly.

Most embarrassing – (apart from causing me to explain to American Express that he’d devoured my card) he chewed up my daughter’s Kindle. I was all set to deny it was him but as someone who writes mysteries, had to accept the tooth-marks were a pretty incontrovertible clue.

Visit Elizabeth Speller's website.

Her new (in the U.S.) novel, The Return of Captain John Emmett, is now a Richard & Judy Book Club featured book.

Speller's second novel, The Strange Fate of Kitty Easton, a mystery set in 1924, in the ancient landscape between Stonehenge and the Savernake Forest, is available now in the U.K. and arrives in the U.S. in the coming spring.

--Marshal Zeringue

Helen Brenna & Ebby and Charlie

Who is in the photo at right?

I have pictures of me and lots of pictures of my dogs, but none of my dogs with me. Ebby [photo right] is a 10 ½ year old Flat-Coated Retriever who loves winter. First snowfall and she’s rolling around in the flakes like a little kid making snow angels.

Charlie [photo below left] is a 5 year old Australian Shepherd. He’s supposed to be a miniature, but does he look miniature to you?

I'm Helen Brenna, novelist.

What's brewing?

I know this is crazy for this blog, but would you believe green tea? I love coffee, but it doesn’t love me.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

My dogs are spoiled silly. They get coffee, er tea, with me every day! But I guess the occasion for being here, specifically, is to celebrate the release of my three latest Harlequin Superromances, The Pursuit of Jesse, Her Sure Thing, and Redemption at Mirabelle, coming out in July, August and September.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

Vet nixed the treats for Charlie as he has a few pounds to lose. I sneak a few to Ebby when her little bro isn’t looking! As for me, I’m sipping champagne. Harlequin, my publisher, sent me a bottle just yesterday to congratulate me on winning Romance Writers’ of America’s most prestigious award, the RITA, at the national conference in NYC in July! (Well, at least I plan to be sipping it once happy hour rolls around.)

How were you and your dogs united?

We lost our beloved Vizla, Mia, to cancer when my kids were 11 and 6. That was tough on all of us, but my kids couldn’t stomach the idea of another Vizla. My daughter, who can recite every breed of dog backwards in her sleep, talked us into a Flatcoated Retreiver. The breeder picked Ebby for us, and we’re so, so glad she did. Charlie came into our home when my son spouted out that he wanted to train a dog. After much discussion about breeds and responsibilities, we settled on an Australian Shepherd. (Mom wanted a smart, easily trained dog since she wasn’t all too sure son would hold up his end of the bargain.) Voila. Charlie!

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Dog names come about by family consensus in our house. The only name both kids liked was Ebby, short for Ebony Pearl. My daughter now think that sounds like a stripper’s name, but, hey, I still like it! Charlie was a tough one. I wanted Chuck, but everyone else hated that name. When no one’s listening, I secretly whisper in his ear.

Have your dogs played any role in your writing?

The hero in my third Mirabelle story, a horror writer, needed a dog. Jamis had isolated himself on the island after he believed he’d caused the car accident that killed his wife and two kids. I knew from page one that only the puppy had survived that accident. Snickers was the first dog character I’d ever written, and it was really fun. So easy, too. When you’ve had dogs your entire life, their habits are second nature.

The biggest role my dogs play in my writing, though, is the break we take for walks at the off-leash dog park. Here’s a picture of them just this morning, as a matter of fact, at that park. They don’t know it, but as they sniff around in the weeds they’re helping me solve plot problems.

Do your dogs have a favorite place to go for walk?

Actually, they’re favorite thing in the world to do is swim at the lake and retrieve water dummies. Charlie, though, is allergic to something in the lake water, so we only go when it’s too hot for walks. Walks at the off leash park are a close second to a swim.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

LOL, all of the above! Ebby is pretty typical when it comes to doorbell ringers and such. Charlie, though, is obsessive (Aussie, remember?) about going after squirrels and rabbits in our backyard. Can’t believe that darned squirrel will still every once in a while risk climbing onto our deck to get at the birdfeeders!

What is each dog's best quality?

Ebby is a lover, the sweetest soul you could ever meet. Charlie is a worker, vigilant in his devotion to protecting me and our family. He lays at the top of the steps outside my office, day in and day out, making sure I’m safe.

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

I love this question. They would make me independently wealthy, of course, so I’d never have to work and could play with them all day every day! And, hey, I wouldn’t complain.

What's each dog's proudest moment so far? The most embarrassing?

Interesting to think about this.

I guess I’d have to say Ebby’s proudest moment is the day she learned to leap, and I do mean leap, from the end of a dock and into a lake. That girl gets so excited about water that she can almost fly off the end of docks. Her most embarrassing moment? She’s a tall dog and we had issues early on with stealing things off the countertops whenever we left the house. My husband read about a sure-fire fix. Set a jelly roll pan full of marbles on the countertop, a couple inches of the pan sticking out over the edge of the countertop, and then leave the house. We came back a short while later and marbles were all over our kitchen floor. Ebby wouldn’t come out of the porch for hours. Never had a problem with her snitching things off the counter after that.

Charlie is a very confident, proud dog, so it’s impossible to think of one moment in time. The moment I was most amazed by him, though, happened last summer when I was working upstairs at my computer. All of a sudden, my son, who was playing video games, yelled out in alarm. I ran downstairs to find a hairless, eyes-still-closed something squirming on the carpet next to my son and Charlie a few feet away watching over it. Turns out it was a brand new baby rabbit. Charlie had very carefully carried that baby, completely unharmed, inside and set it beside my son. I think so that we would care for it. If he’d wanted to harm it, Charlie could’ve swallowed it in one bite.

I went out into our fenced in backyard and after much searching found an empty rabbit nest in the middle of our raspberry patch. I’m not sure if my outdoor cat got at the nest and left a stray or if Charlie found it himself and figured the poor thing had been abandoned. I was told that a mother rabbit will come back for up to a week to find a missing baby, so I put the thing back in its nest, kept the dogs and the cat out of our backyard and by nightfall the mom had come for the baby. Hope so, anyway! Hey, I write romance, so the story has to end happily ever after!

Charlie is, like many dogs, afraid of fireworks, but I think he sees it as a terrible weakness. Every fourth of July, after the first firecracker goes off, he looks up at me, his ears down, as if to say, “Sorry, Mom, I just can’t save you from that.” Poor baby.

Visit Helen Brenna's website and blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Lynne & Brian

Who is in the photo at right?

This is Brian, my 8 year-old Boston Terrier. I'm Lynne, and work as a 911 Operator/Police Dispatcher in Charlotte, NC. Off-duty I enjoy anything related to the outdoors, especially gardening. Much of my time is spent working on my 75 year-old bungalow just outside of Charlotte and spoiling Brian, but occasionally take off on my Kawasaki Z750s for some much needed speed and scenery therapy. I started a blog for the bungalow project so my out-of-town family and friends can keep up with what I'm doing.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Since I have to be at work at 7am, I don't take much time in the mornings to sit down and relax before the commute. On my days off, Brian and I spend breakfast on the front porch while we plan our day.

What's brewing?

I have black coffee or English tea while he chooses the perfect sunny spot for a nap. He's discovered the serenity of a rocking chair, whether he's alone or in my lap "sunny-side up." I have to be careful where I sit the tea or else he'll sneak a sip.

Any treats for you or Brian on this occasion?

My treat is the serenity of being out in the country, away from the sights and sounds of Charlotte. Brian gets to be "SunnyBrian" which is a treat in itself, and he may get a nibble of my fruit or oatmeal.

How were you and Brian united?

Brian was adopted from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control in November 2004 after being brought in as a stray. The veterinarian guessed he was about a year-and-a-half old, but he was only thirteen pounds despite being a tall boy. The first time I saw him, I cried so hard at how withdrawn he was; he wasn't even treat responsive. He seemed glad to see someone, but was really scared and smelled like a dirty horse and his coat was horrible. I sat in the floor with him in the visitation room, and held him to closely my chest and talked to him. He stopped shaking and dozed off for a bit, seemingly comforted. I took a few days off from work upon his adoption, to help him get acclimated to the other Boston in the home and to try and pull him out of his shell. As soon as he walked into the house, he stretched, shook head-to-tail and acted like he'd always lived there without an ounce of shyness. It was like bringing home a totally different dog than what I'd witnessed at the shelter. He knew he was home. He quickly gained to a healthy twenty-one pounds and grew a beautiful shiny new coat. To this day, I'm sure he remembers being held at the shelter and comes to me when he's tired or upset and wants to lie down on me, always on his left side with his head on my chest.

How did they get Brian get his name? Any aliases?

Brian's full name is Brian Jesse and was named for the two supervisors working on the day he was adopted; Bryan and Jessica. I decided to change my Brian's spelling to make it easier. He has a ton of nicknames but the most common are B and B-R. Those were started as a way to talk about him without his knowing, but he picked up on it. There are drawbacks to having a smart dog!

I understand Brian recently had some neck surgery. How's the recovery going?

He's doing extremely well! He was diagnosed with Canine Intervertebral Disc Disease and had surgery within two days of the onset of his symptoms. A neurologist with Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Matthews, NC performed the surgery on cervical discs 2-4. We couldn't be happier with the outcome! Brian is almost back to his regular playful ways but has to be reminded to calm down since his rehab and recovery will be ongoing for some time. The incision is on the front of his neck and took eleven staples, so he'll have a sexy scar to show off to the ladies. Who knows what kind of story he'll make up to go along with it. Unfortunately, I think he's seen the end to his vole hunting days, since the vigorous digging won't be good for him. He's earned another nickname of Bionic Brian since part of him had to be rebuilt and reinforced. This incident also made me especially appreciative of having a health insurance policy on him.

Does Brian have a favorite place to go for walk?

He loves the rare visit to my mother's house in Tennessee where he can watch the cows and horses. He's fascinated with her Percheron, Kate. She's so big I swear he could fit half into her nostril. I think he feels a kindred spirit with the cows since he looks like a mini-moo, himself.

You ride a motorcycle: ever think about getting a sidecar for Brian?

I don't. While it would be great to take him on rides, his safety is far more paramount than having him with me on the bike. I occasionally see someone with their dog on the back of their motorcycle or scooter and it really infuriates me (even though one of the dogs I've seen did look pretty cute in his leather outfit and turtle-shell helmet). It makes me wonder if the motorcyclist is doing it more for attention rather than the simple joy of having their buddy with them. Our dogs' safety is our solely our responsibility and I could never forgive myself if I crashed with Brian and he was injured or killed. A sidecar would be fun for him, no doubt, but I just can't do it. Heck, he even has a booster seat to secure him while he's in my SUV. Call me overprotective, I guess.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

Yelling "Squirrel!" always gets his attention and has from the very start. My boyfriend cracked up the first time he saw a serious reaction to shouting "squirrel" where Brian can go from a full sleep to high alert in about half a second. He said it was like a Whack-a-Mole. Brian's learned since living in a more rural area, where he doesn't always have to be on a leash, not to chase the squirrels. If I tell him, "No, easy" then he's content just watching them. Still, just the mention of the word "squirrel" even in normal conversation makes him look around suspiciously. Brian absolutely abhors cats and I have to do a "cat check" for the neighborhood stray if he's going out unleashed but, like the squirrel encounters, he's learning that "No, easy" or "Leave it" applies to cats, too.

What is Brian's best quality?

His intelligence. It makes him very easy and enjoyable to communicate and interact with. He understands so much of what I or others say to him. Boston Terrier owners are well aware of their dog's intelligence and sense of humor but I like to think Brian's still above average. It's impressive how easy he is to take with me wherever I can because he is extremely well-behaved and easily adaptable to his surroundings. He isn't one of the hyper/bouncy/overly-stimulated Bostons so his being laid-back definitely helps when he's in public. And, he's having to learn some new routines since the surgery, including using steps to get onto and off of the sofa and loveseat instead of jumping. He also can't sleep with me anymore for the same reason so he has his new "big boy" orthopedic bed beside my bed. His smarts are making the transition much easier to break the almost seven year's worth of jumping where he wanted. I think he understands, though, and is adapting well.

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

He would change my location to live closer to his Granny (my mother). She talks to him over the phone occasionally and mails him gifts so he's quite aware of exactly who she is despite her being eight hours away. Sometimes when I'm going to call her, I'll ask him, "Wanna call Granny?" and his ears go way up and he gets the head tilt and gets all wiggly as soon as he hears the word "Granny."

What is Brian's proudest moment? His most embarrassing?

I can't think of a single proud moment that stands out but his pride is obvious with each new trick or skill he learns. Six is his magic number; I can show him six times how to do something and on the seventh time he will do it on his own. The look on his face and the way he sits up or struts around proudly when he shows me he can do what I wanted is so precious. Brian's most embarrassing moment was a few years ago and I would have paid a week's salary to have gotten on video. He's a very fast runner and where I used to live has a sloped back yard. He had gone out to potty after a hard rain and the grass was slick. After finishing his business, he took off like a streak down the back yard toward the house, but lost his footing. He was going so fast that he couldn't get stopped and slid down the hill on his side into a muddy area and crashed into a loose straw bale. When he got up, he looked around as if to see if anyone saw even before he shook it off. I ran over and picked him up to make sure he was okay but was also laughing unbelievably hard. Fortunately, he was fine but had red clay mud all down his left side and it was even in his ear, mouth and nose! It was like witnessing a sprint car that lost control and was probably a whole lot harder to wash!

Visit Lynne's Laura's Legacy blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Jacqueline West & Brom Bones

Who is in the photo at right?

I’m Jacqueline West, and I am a writer. I’ve published a lot of poetry and several short stories, but these days, I’m mostly occupied by my dark fantasy/mystery/comedy series for young readers, The Books of Elsewhere.

Leaning photogenically against my knees is Brom Bones, our not-quite-three-year-old dog. We got him from a shelter, so his pedigree was uncertain; he was obviously part Springer Spaniel with something even larger and bouncier thrown in, so for a long time, we simply called him a Springer Surprise. Then my husband’s parents gave us a doggie DNA test kit for Christmas. It turns out that Brom Bones is a Springer-Shepherd-Beagle mix. I know. I don’t see it, either.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Coffee is part of our daily routine. I brew a pot, we all have breakfast, and then I settle down to work at the computer with a second, third, and fourth cup while Brom enjoys his second, third, and fourth nap of the day nearby.

What's brewing?

CityKid Java, half French Roast, half Colombian decaf, with a sploosh of skim milk. CityKid Java is based in the Twin Cities, just an hour to the north of me, and 100% of its profits provide programs and services for at-risk inner-city kids in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Plus, the coffee is tasty.

Any treats for you or Brom Bones on this occasion?

For me: Sourdough toast from Hanisch’s Bakery right here in Red Wing, Minnesota. For Brom: Hanisch’s dog treats, which smell so good even to a human nose that I’ve been tempted to dip them in coffee and nibble them like biscotti. Maybe if I run out of sourdough...

How were you and Brom Bones united?

In the fall of 2009, a couple of months after having to have our wonderful sixteen-year-old Border Collie put to sleep, we decided we were ready for another pet. We used PetFinder.com to look at the dogs in our area, and Brom’s photo appeared among the listings at the Faribault humane society: tongue lolling, doggishly smiling, completely unaware of the word URGENT looming in red capitals above him. He was only a year old, but he had already been abandoned twice and had lived briefly as a stray before being returned to the shelter. Now he’d been back at the Humane Society for two months, and his time was running out.

When we first set eyes on him, he was trotting in tiny, frenzied loops around his cage, a bony streak of nervous energy. Once we got him into the play room, he opened a plastic bin with his nose and swiftly tore two stuffed toys to pieces before throwing himself across our laps. We fell in love.

Is your dog named after Ichabod Crane's nemesis on "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow?" Any nicknames?

He is indeed! My husband and I had gone to the shelter with a list of potential names in mind, but once we met our boy in person, none of them seemed just right. He was brown and lanky and bony, which made me think of the name Abraham – because of Abraham Lincoln, I suppose – and then I remembered that ‘Brom’ was a nickname for Abraham, and with Halloween just a week away, Brom Bones sprang immediately to mind. Washington Irving describes Brom’s namesake as having ‘more mischief than ill-will in his composition; and, with all his overbearing roughness, there was a strong dash of waggish good humor at the bottom,’ which also describes the four-legged Brom to a T. We generally just call him Brom—although we do occasionally call him Abraham Van Brunt, which is the literary Brom Bones’s full name, but only if he’s been seriously naughty.

Has Brom Bones played any role in your writing?

Not exactly, although I love his companionship during long workdays when I’m alone at home. It’s funny: three of the main characters in The Books of Elsewhere are talking cats, but I would never—could never—have created them as talking dogs. Dogs don’t really have an interior life, as far as I can tell. They have no hidden motive, no mystery—they’re just these open conduits of love and curiosity. Brom would give up all of his secrets for a piece of cheese. If he had any secrets to begin with. Which he doesn’t.

Does Brom Bones have a favorite place to go for walk?

Anywhere. Everywhere. Anytime.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

Sightings of all three have resulted in toppled furniture, tangled leashes, and screaming delivery men.

What is Brom Bones's best quality?

Pure enthusiasm. Everything he loves, he loves with an almost overwhelming intensity: walks, toys, food, the car, visitors, looking out of the windows, lying between us on the couch. He is the cuddliest dog I have ever known. He weighs about 62 pounds, but there is no place he would rather be than in someone’s lap (at least, as much of him as can fit). He also has an excellent memory. He’ll bark to alert us about a spider on the ceiling, and even after the spider has been removed, he’ll check the same spot for days afterward, just in case it has magically returned.

If Brom Bones could change one thing about you, what would it be?

Brom wishes that I loved throwing his ball as much as he loves chasing it. But I’m not sure that this kind of love exists in the human world.

What's your dog's proudest moment so far? His most embarrassing?

When we play fetch with his flying ring, Brom makes these amazing, six-foot, salmon-style leaps into the air, and every time he catches the ring, he absolutely glows. If he misses the ring (or if he overcorrects in midair and lands on his backside instead of his paws), he hides his embarrassment by shaking the ring extra hard, growling vociferously all the while.

Visit Jacqueline West's website and the The Books of Elsewhere website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Marilyn Victor & Maxx

Who is in the photo at right?

I’m Marilyn Victor, co-author of the Snake Jones mystery series. The second book in the series, Killer Instinct, just came out this year. The handsome little guy with me is Maxx. He’s a four-year old, five-pound, Maltese.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Although I love anything flavored with coffee (ice cream, chocolate, and chocolate covered coffee beans), I don’t drink the stuff. I prefer tea. When my favorite coffee shop closed, I started brewing my own chai lattes. Now Maxx and I sit on the back porch for a cup of tea and a cuddle before I leave for work in the morning.

What's brewing?

Chai Latte brewed with Good Earth’s original tea. I also enjoy Mrs. Kelly’s Cinnamon Ceylon.

Any treats for you or Maxx on this occasion?

Everything is a treat to Maxx. Unfortunately, his favorite delicacy these days is bird seed. I’ve had to put a fence beneath the bird feeder to keep him from eating the seed the birds toss out of the feeder. Personally, I prefer apple turn-overs – providing plenty of flaking crumbs for Maxx to lap up.

How were you and Maxx united?

For the past 6 years, I have been volunteering as a foster mom for a local animal rescue group. I have had the pleasure of caring for some wonderful dogs and have watched them go to equally wonderful new families. When I was asked to take Maxx I was told he would melt my heart. And he absolutely did. He had me wrapped around his paw from day one. Even though I kept telling myself I wasn’t ready for a full time dog, I just couldn’t bear the thought of giving him up. He’s such a sweetie.

How did he get his name? Any nicknames?

Maxx is the name he came with, but I sometimes call him Charlie because of the way he walks. He suffers from immune mediated polyarthritis (IMPA), which inflames the joints and has caused him some joint deformity. So he’s a extremely bull-legged and when he walks his whole body wiggles, reminding me of Charlie Chaplin. All he needs is a cane to twirl.

Why the extra X?

The first time I took him to the vet, the receptionist decided to spell his name with two xx’s as my last foster dog, an adorable Shih Tzu, had also been named Max. She wanted to be able to tell the two of them apart.

Please tell us a bit about Maxx's role in your writing?

Maxx insists on sitting in my lap whenever I’m at the computer. He’s very quiet and has become a soothing presence when I write. He does have a tendency to want to rest his head on my keyboard, though. I’m not sure if he’s trying to edit or is just bored with what I’m writing.

Does Maxx have a favorite place to go for walk?

Because of his IMPA, he’s only able to walk about a half a block before tiring out. When he’s had enough, he simply stops, looks up at me and waits to be picked up. So I have an Outward Hound pet sling that looks like a big purse that I cart him around in. He loves car rides, and doesn’t seem to care where I’m going, just as long as he’s coming, too.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

All of the above. He’s very protective and thinks he’s a Doberman.

What is Maxx's best quality?

He’s a cuddler. As long as he can sit in someone’s lap, he doesn’t care where he is.

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

He’d probably wish I could be a full time writer and stay home with him all day.

What is Maxx's proudest moment so far?

His proudest moments are when he’s chased off another dog. Size doesn’t matter, he’ll go after them. He doesn’t tolerate any other animals in his yard.

His most embarrassing?

Because of his love for bird seed, he spends a lot of time scavenging beneath my cockatiel’s cage. In the winter I have a plush bird warmer I put in the cage. It looks like a small yellow hand muff and the bird can crawl into it to keep warm. In the summer, I keep it on a shelf under the cage. One day I found Maxx walking in circles with his entire head stuck inside the warmer. I really wish I had had my camera handy.

Have your dogs appeared in your books and stories?

My first dog, Lacey, was a sweet, laid back Bichon. I gave her a part in the first Snake Jones mystery, Death Roll. Her sister Dixie starred in one of my short stories and Maxx will probably get a part in the next book. Actually, my love of animals in general has influenced my writing. I can’t imagine not giving my characters pets, or have at least one character interested in animal welfare. I even wrote a short story about a diving mule once. My series character, Snake Jones, is a zookeeper, which is my dream job. I know it’s a tough profession, but I can’t imagine anything more rewarding than working around animals all day.

Visit the Snake Jones Zoo Mysteries website and Marilyn Victor's blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Tracey Alley & Angel and Pippa

Who is in the photo at right?

The white one is Angel, my first Tibetan Spaniel and she’s now 10 months old, the black one is Pippa [short for Pipsqueak – she was the runt of her litter] and she’s 4 months old and another Tibetan Spaniel. They’re a wonderful breed, very affectionate and although small will act as a watch dog up to a point – i.e. they’ll let me know if there’s someone around – but mostly they’re just very playful.

I’m Tracey Alley and I'm fortunate enough to be able to work at my writing full time; prior to that I cared for my mother for seven years and worked part time in various administration or teaching jobs and got two degrees at Uni at the same time. A bad back injury stopped me from being able to sit or stand for long periods so I can no longer work full time in admin or teaching.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

The dogs and I have coffee together every morning before I start my day and every night after dinner I sit and have a coffee with the dogs while I give them a brush and we play together for a while. It’s my way of unwinding from the day. Actually any excuse to sit and play with the dogs I’ll take ... and any excuse for a coffee.

What's brewing?

I use a blend I buy from Gloria Jean’s Coffee, a cappuccino with a hint of chocolate – a little on the decadent side but I limit myself to only two of these a day, the rest of the time it’s instant.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

Usually not, the chocolate in the blend is enough. Sometimes a chocolate chip cookie if I’m feeling naughty or want the extra sugar rush.

Any treat for your dogs on this occasion?

In the mornings they have their Denta sticks, which clean their teeth, at night they get a liver strip each.

How were you and your dogs united?

I bought both dogs off local breeders. I bought Angel from a lady in Toowoomba who’s been breeding Tibbies [their nickname] for years and Pippa from another lady for whom this was her first breeding experience. I always tend to buy my dogs from breeders if I’m getting a puppy – there are puppy farms out there where the animals are treated very badly which is why I stick with registered breeders so I know they’ve come from a good home.

Have your dogs had any influence on your writing?

Only in the form of being a distraction – Tibbies like to play a lot. When I only had Angel she was constantly vying for my attention which is why I decided to get her a playmate. Now the two of them play happily together and I get more work done but they still like lots of attention from me.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Angel has two goldish coloured marks on her back that look a little like wings so that’s where her name came from and Pippa is so tiny that Pipsqueak came immediately to mind, shortened to Pippa. Angel’s nickname is ‘Miss Nibbles’ and Pipppa’s is ‘Houdini’ -- Angel’s a nibbler and Pippa will escape any chance she gets and from the tiniest breaks in the fence.

Cat, rabbit, postman...?

The postman’s OK and they love the family cat but I wouldn’t put them anywhere near a rabbit – they would definitely go for that and they both have very sharp teeth. They were originally bred as ratting dogs and they do that very well and leave the evidence for me to clean up.

Tennis ball, squeaky-toy, frisbee...?

In the back yard they like their tennis balls and squeaky toys but inside they prefer to mangle their stuffed toys – they each have stuffed animals of their own but they will play fight over each other’s toys.

Where are your dogs' favorite places for outings?

They both love the beach and their other favourite is probably the park near my house – it’s fully enclosed so they can both run around to their heart’s desire and wear themselves out.

Who are your dogs' best pet-pals?

Each other although they love my Siamese cat, Caesar, but he’s not quite as fond of them as they are of him and gets bored with playing with them very, very quickly.

What is each dog's best quality?

Angel has a real mothering temperament, she really looks after Pippa and she’s incredibly gentle with children and I tend to have a lot of children come through my house with all my nieces and nephews. Pippa is just a bowl full of fun, she’s mischievous and cheeky and very tiny. She has the heart of a lion though despite her small size and shakes the life out of her toys.

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

I think Angel’s proudest moment was the first time she met my nieces – she marched up and down in front of them all while they were all sitting on my couch as if she was on display. As for embarrassing she certainly looked embarrassed one afternoon as she tripped over her feet coming in through the doggie door.

Pippa has an endless supply of proud moments but the first time she actually caught the tennis ball she looked so pleased with herself that I began laughing so hard and she looked so hurt that I was laughing so that was probably her most embarrassing as well, although that was my fault.

Visit Tracey Alley's website and blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Crystal & Pinch

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm Crystal, a 29 year-old Canadian ex-pat in France who teaches business English at a French insurance company near Paris. My dog Pinch is a miniature pinscher/dachshund mix and he's 4 years old. In that photo, we are on a paddle boat in the middle of a lake in the French Alps on holiday.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I have a coffee every morning around 7:30 before getting ready for work and after coming in from Pinch's walk (we live in an apartment). He'll sit on my lap as I sip my coffee and check blogs, emails, and likely Facebook.

What's brewing?

I have a Senseo coffee maker that makes one cup of coffee at a time. I love flavoured coffees and right now, I'm having vanilla.

Any treats for you or Pinch on this occasion?

I try to only give him doggie treats, but he usually gets a tiny taste of whatever I'm eating. I'd love for him to chew on those tartar reducing dog treats to help keep his teeth clean, but he won't touch them.

How were you and Pinch united?

I found him online in the North of France and actually ended up saving him from a backyard breeder who had no business taking care of puppies. I took him at 4 1/2 weeks when the woman told me to come get him because 'the mother dog isn't feeding him anymore so I'm just giving him cow's milk'. I figured he was better off with me, so I took him to the vet to get checked out and to buy some special puppy formula. He didn't even have teeth yet when he came home with me, but I nursed him back to health and paid for life-saving hernia surgery when he was just 5 1/2 weeks old.

How did Pinch get his name? Any nicknames?

My French husband actually came up with the name Pinch because it's short for 'pinscher' and easy for French and English people to pronounce! We have a variety of nicknames for him including: Mr. Silly, Bean, Nibble(s), and Mini Cujo (because he isn't the most social dog with other people and animals...)

Dogs generally love cheese; France is great at making cheese. Is Pinch a fromager?

He loves hard, salty cheeses but rarely ever gets any because I don't often have cheese at home. He has problems with tartar build up on his teeth, so I try not to give him things that could make it worse. But if I have some cheese, he'll run over and sit up on his hind legs like a bunny til I give him (a very tiny) piece.

If your household suddenly re-located to Canada, what would Pinch miss most about France? What would be the most difficult adjustment?

I don't think he'd miss anything. There are very few dog parks in France - near Paris, anyway - and a lot of traffic and people everywhere, all the time. In Canada, he'd have more places to run free and the possibility to make some doggie friends. The most difficult adjustment would be taking the plane I think. If he got through that, I'm sure he'd love his new life in Canada.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

He's never actually seen a squirrel I think and he's lived peacefully with his feline brother, Noé, since I got them both around the same time. If the postman rings the doorbell, I have to put him in another room so that he doesn't bark too much or jump at the poor guy. He barks at just about anything and everything.

What is an ordinary day like for Pinch?

I don't often work 9-5, so I'm home a lot with him. He gets walked once in the morning before I go to work, once at lunch time, then 2 more times before bed. He's a homebody and likes to just be near me if I'm reading or washing dishes. He also sleeps on the bed next to my pillow every night (my husband works nights). We are moving to the Alps at the end of August though, so his routine will be shaken up and I'm worried he'll need some time to get used to all the changes.

What is Pinch's best quality?

He is a very loyal dog to the people he tolerates. The exhaustive list includes me, my husband, and my French parents-in-law. He loves to snuggle with me at all times and is great at keeping me company when my husband is away for work. He's my baby and I couldn't imagine life without him.

If Pinch could change one thing about France, what would it be?

He'd be happy if other people and dogs didn't exist. Living in the city is hard for him because he's got some anxiety issues ever since a vicious attack from a much bigger dog.

He'd probably also like that other dog owners in France keep their dogs on leashes so that he doesn't feel the need to get into fights with them to protect his Mama.

What is Pinch's proudest moment so far? His most embarrassing?

His proudest moment was probably when, as a tiny puppy, he was published in the Cute Overload 2009 calendar in a photo snuggled up to my cat Noé [photo left].

Most embarrassing? He's scared of many inanimate objects and I've seen him growl and tuck his tail between his legs when we walk past a plastic bag blowing around in the street.

Visit the Crystal Goes to Europe blog.

--Marshal Zeringue