Laurie Frankel & Calli

Who is in the photo at right?

Calli is the lovely, beautiful, brilliant thirteen-year old (mostly) border collie. The less hairy one is me, Laurie Frankel, author of the newly-released debut novel The Atlas of Love.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Occasion? We live in Seattle where all of life is an occasion for coffee.

What's brewing?

Nonfat latte, almost always. Iced whenever possible. Hot, alas, most of the time.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

My most frequented coffee shop, Tougo, has really amazing squash bread. My other favorite coffee shop, Joe Bar (featured in The Atlas of Love), has incredible made-on-the-spot crepes.

Any treat for your dog on this occasion?

If you have a bread product of any kind at any time, you will be not just expected but relentlessly encouraged to share it with Calli.

How were you and your dog united?

Calli was found as a puppy by the side of the road with three of her brothers and sisters by a guy in Dover, Delaware who trained animals for a living, mostly to help disabled people. But right after he found the puppies, he acquired a pony, and evidently you have to tend to the ponies right away, so he had to get rid of the dogs. The other puppies he sold as working dogs to farmers in the area. But Calli was the runt, so he put an ad in the paper and sold her for 25 bucks. You could tack three zeroes on the end, and she would still have been worth it.

How did your dog get her name? Any aliases?

Calli is named for Cal Ripkin, Jr. I also call her Cal (short for Calli) and Potato (short for Sweet Potato).

Does Calli have any influence on your writing?

Well, for starters, the dog in The Atlas of Love, Uncle Claude, is Calli, descriptor for descriptor. Two, Calli is always, always willing to walk around the neighborhood and smell stuff while I mull over what characters should do next or why a scene’s not working or what happens at the end or whatever I can’t solve sitting in front of a computer. But most valuable of all, Calli is a great giver of the awesome, entire, abundant, unconditional love that is the subject of my novel, all my writing, and, arguably, all of everyone’s writing, so she’s quite an inspiration.

Cat, squirrel, postman...?

Our postman is a woman, but her for sure. Cats? Scary. Squirrels? Distracting but who can catch one. Humans in all forms? Very likely to give pets or treats or attention of really any kind. So that’s the way to go for sure.

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

Ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball. Ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball. Ball. Ball. Ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball ball. Ball.

Where is Calli's favorite place for an outing?

Lake Washington -- she loves to swim. Or for a long road trip, the Oregon Coast where she can swim and have free reign over the sprawling and leashless beaches.

Who is Calli's best pet-pal?

Me. We’re pretty tight. She follows me everywhere. And because I work so often from home, we spend a lot of quality time together. Am I her pet? Maybe. She doesn’t like other dogs -- I think because she doesn’t really consider herself one and finds it irritating that others do.

What is Calli's best quality?

She’s an angel dog, really. She’s very very freakishly smart. And she wants only to make you happy. The combo there is a real winner. Some dogs want to make you happy, but they’re too stupid to know how. Some dogs know exactly what you want from them, but they’re all, “Screw you! I’m a dog and can do whatever I like. Ha ha.” Nice and smart is the good choice if you have one. Calli is the best and sweetest dog I have ever known.

What is Calli's proudest moment? Her most embarrassing?

Well, she cowers before cats which is pretty embarrassing given that it should be the other way around. Once, when my husband and I were out of town, she stayed with some friends with cats, and the cats just terrorized her. Our friends had to give her an armed water gun escort to the backyard a few times a day. Otherwise, she refused to leave the bedroom.

Meanwhile, did I mention the ball obsession? Every time she catches one in midair -- and that’s many many many many many many times (she’s quite athletic in addition to obsessed) -- she gets the exact same totally pleased with herself expression on her face. This is nice for her. It’s very good to be Calli, even though sore hips mean her ball catching days are mostly behind her now.

Laurie Frankel lives in Seattle where it's sometimes hard to find a day on which to take an author photo without an umbrella. Originally from Columbia, Maryland, she often fails to understand why it won't stop raining in Seattle. Then it becomes summer there, and she remembers why she loves it. She teaches writing, literature, and gender studies at the University of Puget Sound. She roots for the Orioles and the Mariners (and thus is often very frustrated during baseball season). She makes good soup.

Read an excerpt from The Atlas of Love, and learn more about the book and author at Laurie Frankel's website and blog.

The Page 69 Test: The Atlas of Love.

--Marshal Zeringue

David Daigle & his pack

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm David Daigle, the author a four-volume epic fantasy adventure, (shameless self-promotion – The Frontmire Histories – available on Amazon.com). With me is Miss Little Louisiana Lily Lou Lewis, a pure miniature longhaired doxi.

The photo below left includes Lily's babies: Hugguette (French in origin and a character in one of our favorite movies A Year in Provence), Kenya, named after a locally dark roast coffee, and Mr. Bilbo Baggins.

And in the photo below right, Lily poses with the love of her life (but not the babies' father) Caleb (which means - dog). He's a pure mutt, 100% dog.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

We don’t have many coffee related outings with the dogs. Five is a bit much. But a great treat for them is a walk on the beach or just a ride in the car. Baggins will be on me with his head out the window; Caleb will have his head out the driver’s side back window. Lily is far too refined – she just sits quietly in the passenger-side rear seat. The two other girls get up on the ledge behind the passenger seat and sniff the wind and let it blow over them.

What's brewing?

We are blessed to have a few local coffee roasters and drink it hot, fresh and delicious. The "babies" once ate the grounds out of the garbage. They seemed to like it and didn’t suffer any apparent ill-effects.

Any treat for your dogs on this occasion?

It is a custom at the local espresso drive-throughs to give doggie bones. When we go out at stop for coffee, the five dogs all hover at the windows to get their doggie bones. We only get coffee. This is repeated at bank drive-throughs, gas stations... It's the only time they do not bark at strangers.

Do your dogs have any influence on your writing?

I have to say that my dogs have never contributed to my writing; they have far superior interests. When on the computer, they’re usually browsing the kitty sites!

How were you and the dogs united? And how did they get their names? Any aliases?

Thirteen-year-old Caleb was named after the Hebrew word for dog. It made sense at the time… We acquired him from a pound in the Atlanta region in 1997. He goes by Caleb, Dog, Joe, and when we don’t want him to know we are talking about him – Edward?

Five-year-old Lily Lou was supposed to be just Lily after a dear departed friend, Lillian. Since she came from a kennel in Louisiana, it had to have a southern flair to it so it went to Lily Lou. Her father’s name was Jerry Lewis. After twisting and playing with it, the name became Miss Little (she’s a mini doxi) Louisiana Lily Lou Lewis. Try saying that fast three times to the officer without getting a DUI. The nicknames are endless – Doo, Doo-Doo, Diddi-Doo, Baby-Doo, Lily and so on and so forth.

Lily Lou’s kids are three years old. Eileen, my wife hates it when I tell this story: I was calculating how much money we were going to make selling Lily’s babies. They can be quite pricey. Eileen’s in the background of my selective hearing saying, “If she has babies, I’m going to love them all, and I’m not letting you sell them.” Three babies later, we’re a five-dog family.

Mr. Bilbo Baggins. He’s short, he’s stout, he has a snout. He’s lean, he’s mean. He’s a fighting machine. He fights, he bites, his teeth are white. He goes by Baggins mostly. Sometimes – Bilbo (that’s when things are more serious). Occasionally – Bagginses.

Sister Kenya. She’s black and tan. We were drinking the locally roasted coffee named “Kenya” – hence –Kenya. She goes by Kenni and recently McKenzie.

Hugguette is derived from the French as in Huguenots. My heritage is French and one of our beloved characters from the movie A Year in Provence bears the same name. She goes by Hugguette la quette (the hair tuft). Then, Getti leads into Spaghetti. She’s a timid, tender, sensitive little spirit. The quality she is known for is that she turns on her back and empties her bladder about 30% of the times you might reach for her…or maybe even look at her; she wags her tail vigorously, spraying the urine all over the place. It’s only because she loves us so…but it has earned her the nickname Pee-pee baby. Yet, when it comes to possession of a toy or a tug-of-war, all the others drop it and leave – they surrender to her without a fuss. I’m not sure what that means.

Cat, squirrel, postman...?

Caleb is a squirrel man. No doubt! But in a pinch, a rodent, deer or raccoon will do.

The rest of the clan will bark at anything that moves, though Kenni is definitely our rodent hater and has tried to dig through the floor to get at a gnawing mouse. They are all terrible cowards, which I guess is good since they only weigh about 12 pounds each.

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

Caleb! No question – tennis ball. While I worded outside, he retrieved and chased the ball for 5 hours non-stop many times. When we went inside, he wanted to…play ball.

Kenya is our official squeaky killer. Within seconds she will eviscerate and kill the squeaker and then spread its filler contents about the house. Then she will bring it to me, and I have to throw it for hours as she chases it and kills it again. She also has the habit of holding my nose in her teeth when I hold her: I don’t know what it means. Also, if I hold her on her back in my arms, take hold of a handful of skin on her side and say, “Are you a mean little bitch?”, she growls like she’s going to kill me. She’s all teeth, snarls and growls. Then I say, “No, you’re not mean.” She relaxes and is ‘normal’ again.

Lily and Hugguette like squeakies, but they are much more refined than to get obsessed about something like that.

Baggins – he loves to lead the chase. He gets everyone riled up and leads the others in a chase about the house. He leaps, he runs, he jumps and growls. He has a GREAT time! Baggins and I rough house at times. At those times, he’s all teeth and growls. I slide him across the linoleum floor. When he stops, he always smells his penis before charging back into the tussle. I always tell him, “That’s a good boy, always check your pee-pee.”

Who are your dogs' best pet-pals?

Lily is in love with Caleb. If he needs to go outside (he only stares, so sometimes we don’t notice) she’ll bark to let us know. If we are late to feed him (he’s on a different schedule), she’ll bark to let us know he needs to be fed.

Baggins is in love with T’is Gris (Little Gray in French). He grovels before the cat. He licks at him when 4 feet away. He’s in love.

Caleb is his own man.

Kenya, did I mention she loves squeakies?

Lily won’t sleep with the babies; she has to have her own crate. Too snooty? Or a worn out mom?

What is each dog's best quality?

Caleb is as friendly an animal as the day is long. He’s every dog and human’s friend.

Lily is easy going, needs a bit of morning “sugar” (that’s southern for affection) and then makes her way independently through the day.

Baggins is just a great buddy.

Kenya is eager to please.

Spaghetti is the sweetest little creature you have ever met.

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

I wouldn’t have an answer to this except for Baggins. He once dug out of his outdoor pen and under the adjacent shed. The girls were putting up a tremendous barking at the shed wall. I went out to see. I looked down into the hole to see two black eyes and black nose – There was a Bagginses in that hole!

Well, I pulled him back out and blocked the hole with some bricks. I then turned to see Bagginses strutting about like the only rooster in the barnyard. He thought that he was freakin’ cool for doing what the girls hadn’t done. And that’s a doggone fact!

Embarrassing? Only Caleb, when he peed on a guy’s leg…

And all are professional beggars. They can be intently begging while pretending to be asleep.

Read more about David Daigle's Frontmire Histories -- Prince of the Elves, Rise of the Dark Queen, Kravorctiva, and Vanished! -- and visit The Frontmire Histories' weblog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Adele Griffin & Edith

Who is in the photo at right?

I am Adele Griffin, a Young Adult writer living in Brooklyn with one husband, one daughter, and one crimefighting superdog, Edith, a seven-year-old shih-tzu.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Edith and I always take a very long walk in the morning. We are not morning people, and so the coffee that I grab at Tazza on Henry St. takes about as long to drink as it takes Edith to re-sniff out all the places she sniffed yesterday. We wake up together.

What's brewing?

Always the house roast with a little milk, unless it's the dead of summer, when I go with an iced.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

Edith gets a lo-fat pupperoni, while I prefer a lemon poppyseed muffin.

Any treat for Edith on this occasion?

She is too crazy for cream cheese for me not to let her sample a little bit when I get it on a bagel. But she stays basically in the land of dog cuisine.

How were you and Edith united?

My husband got her for me for Christmas 2003.

How did Edith get her name? Any aliases?

I named her after my great-grandmother, who was also considered a beauty in her day. We call her Edie, Beedle, Bee, the Bee, the Great Beadle, Squeedly, Beedlix, Chach, Rach, and of course Chacharacha.

Does Edith have any influence on your writing?

She influences the mood of every space she is in because she brings us so much calm.

Cat, squirrel, postman...?

Squirrel. She used to semi-terrify the squirrels of the Upper East Side/Central Park, where we used to live, but a Brooklyn squirrel is a very different beast. So now Edith is a bit more squirrel-wary.

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

Coyote hand-puppet is her only worthy adversary.

Where is Edith's favorite place for an outing?

The beach all day long.

Who is Edith's best pet-pal?

A French bulldog named Elle. We are all a little bit in love with Elle.

What is Edith's best quality?

She can do the NY Times crossword in pen, no mistakes. And she is amazing with kids.

What is Edith's proudest moment? Her most embarrassing?

She really lorded it over us for a long time after Sean Connery stopped her on the street and patted her and told her that she was beautiful. But I was sort of mortified for Edith the day she hid from the sound of me frying an egg. It had some pop to it, but under the couch? Really? I felt like she was way overreacting.

Adele Griffin’s critically acclaimed novels include The Other Shepards, Amandine and National Book Award Finalist Sons of Liberty. Her numerous awards and accolades include ALA Best Book for Young Adults,ALA Notable, CCBC Choice, IRA-CBC Children's Choice and Bank Street Book of the Year.

Griffin's latest book is The Julian Game, a "riveting novel [which] explores the issues of generation Facebook: the desire to be someone else, real versus online friends, and the pitfalls and fallouts of posting your personal life online for all the world to judge."

Visit Adele Griffin’s website and Facebook page.

--Marshal Zeringue

Matt Hewitt & Zilla

Who is in the photo at right?

That would be me, Matt Hewitt. I’m associate editor of Michigan Oil & Gas News, a trade publication based in Mount Pleasant, Mich.

Zilla is a two and a half year old female Pomeranian. The photo was taken by my friend Danni Holt.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Drinking coffee while staying up at the Grandparent's cabin on Grape Island in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

What's brewing?

Flavored Biggby Coffee grounds, Michigan Cherry. Brewed by my fiancée Kate's grandma.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

Bacon and Orzo Fruit Salad. Breakfast of champions!

Any treat for Zilla on this occasion?

Not today, but she claims all bacon crumbs that don't make it into my mouth.

How were you and Zilla united?

My fiancée and I bought her from a breeder. I was hesitant about getting a dog at first. I didn’t think I would enjoy the responsibility, especially when I was starting up my first career job. Zilla instantly grew on me and instantly weaseled her way into my heart.

How did Zilla get her name? Any aliases?

My fiancée and I were browsing the internet and noticed some photos of a Pomeranian shaved and dyed to look like the Mozilla Firefox internet browser logo. We named her Mozilla Firefox in spirit of the photos, because she looks like a little fox. We call her Zilla for short, but also call her Zilla-monster, a play off of Gila monster. Sometimes we call her Snorelax after the Pokemon, because whenever she snuggles with me I tend to fall asleep. Plus I love the irony of her being so small and Snorelax being huge.

Cat, squirrel, postman...?

Zilla will bark at all three. She doesn’t discriminate based on size.

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

Squeaky-toy. She prefers something small and floppy, that way she can easily grip it with her little mouth.

Where is Zilla's favorite place for an outing?

She loves running around and chasing squirrels on Grape Island. We only get to make that trip once a year though. We often take her to my fiancée’s parents farm so that she can get exercise and play with the other animals.

Who is Zilla's best pet-pal?

We just recently got a cat, which we named Lando Calrissian after the character in Star Wars. They get along for the most part. Zilla chases Lando all the time and Lando loves his exercise. It’s a nice little game they play. She also likes to play with our next door neighbor's dog Hendrix. We think of them as boyfriend and girlfriend.

What is Zilla's best quality?

She is an awesome snuggler. Whether it be napping on the couch, or in the bed at night. She loves to burrow under the blankets and lay right against the backs of my knees.

What is Zilla's proudest moment? Her most embarrassing?

Zilla’s proudest moment would have to be when she first learned to play catch. I tried to teach her to fetch a toy when I said “Do my bidding!” and after a couple of weeks she caught on. Her most embarrassing moment would probably be whenever she is naughty and grabs something off our coffee table. She always runs underneath our papazan chair in shame once she gets caught.

Visit Matt Hewitt's blog and personal website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Maggie Horton & Ally

Who is in the photo at right?

I am Maggie Horton, I am an office manager for S & M Air Tool Service. We work on air tools for trucking companies and railcars. I also do graphic design work for Signs of Sophie. There we do all sorts of vinyl work. We do signs, banners, wall graphics, personalized market totes and many other personalized items.

Ally is a tiny toy poodle and she just turned 2 years old.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Just spending the morning together after a busy week at the office. (She goes to work with me every day so she knows how busy we’ve been!) We love to spend Saturday mornings catching up on blogs, TV, and laundry.

What's brewing?

Well, since its 100+ degrees here in the deep south we’re skipping on coffee this morning and we’re have smoothies. I love a good strawberry banana smoothie made with fresh strawberries and bananas.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

No, not for me.

Any treat for your dog on this occasion?

Ally loves the Three Dog Bakery treats, so she’s having a “chocolate chip cookie."

How were you and Ally united?

Growing up my family had a teacup poodle that we loved dearly. He was attacked by another dog and died while I was in middle school. Ever since then I have wanted another one but it was never the right time. After my husband and I got married he went to the night shift at work and I was so lonely. I knew it was the perfect time to get my poodle puppy. I found a local breeder in the paper and went to see the one pup she had left. It was love at first sight. She was the runt in the litter and the last one to be adopted. She couldn’t have been more perfect for us.

How did Ally get her name? Any aliases?

I graduated from The University of Alabama and follow Bama football religiously. I knew I wanted her name to be something to do with the school but I didn’t want it to be to oblivious. Lots of the pets in these parts are named Bama, Bear, and Saban. I wanted something more subtle. I decided on Ally Bama for her name before I even found her. We call her Ally most of the time. I also call her Ally Bug, Bug, Buggy and Ally B.

Cat, squirrel, postman...?

Ally is a lover. She rarely even notices cats or squirrels. She will announce the postman or UPS mans arrival by howling like a wolf. But as soon as he reaches the door she’s trying to get his attention so he’ll love on her.

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

Squeaky-toy for sure. She loves to hear them squeak. It is amazing how quickly she can find the squeaker and make it work! She loves tennis balls but her mouth is to small to pick them up so she gets frustrated with them.

Where is Ally's favorite place for an outing?

She loves the lake. She also loves to go to her grandparents houses. She loves “daycare” (that’s what we call the office because everyone brings their dogs!) but I wouldn’t really consider that an outing since she goes every day. She also loves to go to Tuscaloosa during football season to tailgate [photo right].

Who is Ally's best pet-pal?

Well, she loves her big brother and sister Sam and Gracie. (They are both 100lb labs that stay outside and in the basement.) Ally goes down every night with me to let them in and feed them. Her best pooch friends are probably at daycare, Molly, Isabella, Sophie, Lucy and Chloe. They play all day everyday. She also has a “cousin” Bella that stays with us sometimes. They have a ball when they’re together. Then there’s Champ her other cousin that she has a love/ hate relationship with. They play together but also get very jealous and compete with each other for Granddaddy and Nana’s attention. She is a very social dog!

What is your dog's best quality?

I think Ally’s best quality is that she is the gentlest dog and is very easy going. I have several nieces and nephews and she will let them pick her up and pull her ears and she just whimpers if they hurt her. She is so good with them. She’s never been aggressive toward them. We can take her anywhere. She is so laid back and just goes with the flow.

What is Ally's proudest moment? Her most embarrassing?

Her proudest moment was probably when she was voted “People’s Choice” at the Gardendale Magnolia Festival Pooch Parade. She was loved by everyone she met. The kids love her because she is so small and they can just pick her right up and love on her.

Her most embarrassing was probably when I made her dress up for Halloween as a bumble bee [photo left]. She doesn’t mind wearing clothes but she’s not too fond of costumes.

--Marshal Zeringue

Jenny Nelson & Clarabelle

Who is in the photo at right?

That’s me, Jenny Nelson, and my not-quite-two-year-old Australian cattle dog mix, Clarabelle. I’m a writer whose first novel, Georgia’s Kitchen, about a chef in New York who travels to Tuscany to open a trattoria and, incidentally, has a lab retriever mix named Sally, came out earlier this month.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

No special occasion, just a lovely morning for coffee on the back porch. The kids are playing with my husband and Clarabelle’s doggy pals haven’t yet arrived at my husband’s office, so it’s just me, the pooch and the butterflies flitting around the garden.

What's brewing?

An even keel: half caf, half decaf, milk, sugar. I prefer Starbucks Italian roast bold and Espresso decaf, but since I ran out of the Italian I’m using Dean & Deluca’s French Roast.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

My breakfast – a couple pieces of toast with raspberry jam.

Any treat for your dog on this occasion?

Clarabelle generally doesn’t have much of an appetite until evening. Her food sits out for her all day and then at around seven, when we’re having dinner, she digs in. However, if I were to offer her a slab of salmon, she’d be eternally grateful.

How were you and your dog united?

Clarabelle was a rescue dog from Georgia who came to us by way of Perfect Pets Rescue in Red Hook, NY. Apparently there are a lot of kill shelters in Georgia and Perfect Pets travels there and scoops up as many as they think they can find homes for. They’re a great organization. Anyone looking for a dog in the Dutchess County, NY area should check them out!

How did your dog get her name? Any aliases?

My daughters Flora and Ava, then five, named her. There’s a kid’s book with a cow named Clarabelle, and I’m pretty sure she’s her namesake (sort of appropriate, since she’s part cattle dog). I think it’s a terrific name. We call her Clarrie, Clarabellie and Nutty.

Does your dog have any influence on your writing?

Taking Clarabelle for a walk is a great way to work through plot problems. Whenever I need to clear my head, I’ve got a partner who’s always ready for a bit of fresh air. Sometimes, I talk to her as we walk (we live in the country, so no one sees us!), though I’m pretty sure she ignores me.

Cat, squirrel, postman...?

Squirrel, absolutely. She is a gentle dog who turns into a rabid killer around squirrels. It’s a bit unsettling (for her humans and also for her belly).

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

She loves a good tug of war, but is also a fan of fetching tennis balls. Dropping them, however, is not her strong suit.

Where is your dog's favorite place for an outing?

Her yard. Fortunately, the property where we live is entirely fenced and she roams it all day long.

Who is Clarabelle's best pet-pal?

Roscoe, a black lab with a giant head and a heart of gold.

What is Clarabelle's best quality?

She is incredibly smart. And she gives great hugs (seriously).

What is Clarabelle's proudest moment? Her most embarrassing?

Catching a Frisbee, which she’s since forgotten how to do. Not sure about her most embarrassing moment -- she’s pretty cool.

Read an excerpt from Georgia’s Kitchen, and learn more about the book and author at Jenny Nelson's website and blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Chelsey Andrews & Angus

Who is in the photo at right?

My name is Chelsey Andrews. I'm a mostly stay at home mama to an 8 month old, Laureli... but, I also have a couple of Etsy shops where I sell paper crowns, cards and photo prints (The Paper Lady Shop and The Paper Mama Shop). I run a couple of blogs during my baby's nap time: The Paper Mama and The Paper Lady. My little furry son, Angus, is a long haired Chihuahua and is almost 4-years-old.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Mike, Laureli, Angus, and I were taking a little walk to the dog park. On our way back we decided to stop and enjoy some tea and doughnuts!

What's brewing?

Well, I'm not really a coffee drinker, but I do love caffeine! Iced Tazo Zen tea is what we had today. Yum!!!

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

Oh yes. A yummy little pink doughnut and a glazed chocolate doughnut.

Any treat for Angus on this occasion?

No, just a drink of water. He's so little that any treat is like a whole meal for him!

How were you and Angus united?

While my hubby went to school in Spokane, WA I met a breeder that lived in Idaho. We met all her little Chihuahua's and Angus was dancing at our feet while all the other dogs ran around the yard. I went home and couldn't stop thinking about how sweet he was. We called her a couple days later and told we had to get him. The best decision.

How did Angus get his name?

Does he have any aliases? Mike just picked it out. It just stuck! Angus does go by many other names. I'll just list a few: Boo-gee, Shmooga, Booga, Manga, Bonga, Ang-ee, Maingus, and well... just any sort of sound with a "g" in it.

Cat, squirrel, postman...?

Angus does not even care. We always try and get him excited to see squirrels and cats... nothing. He just looks and keeps walking.

Frisbee, squeaky-toy, stick...?

My sister (she lives in New Zealand) sent him a little stuffed Kiwi bird. It makes Kiwi sounds when you squeeze it. He loves it!

Where is Angus's favorite place for an outing?

Anywhere out of the house. All we need to say is, "Angus, are you ready to go?" and he get's all excited. He's excited wherever we take him.

Who are Angus' best pet-pals?

My mom's dogs: Pepper and Farley. Angus does not really like our cats. They like to swat at him! My baby thinks Angus is the funniest thing on the planet. Angus does not really like her though. He tries to stay just out of reach of her.

If Angus could change one thing about your cats, what would it be?

Their size. Princess is about 10 pounds and Pistachio is about 20 pounds. If they weighed less then 6 pounds I think he would love it!

What is Angus's best quality?

He is so sweet. Yes, he can be a poop and has many accidents in the house (grrr) but, he is one of the sweetest dogs ever. He LOVES people. He loves to cuddle and be pet.

What is Angus' proudest moment? His most embarrassing?

His proudest moment: When he jumped up on the sofa all by himself. His most embarrassing: When he went to drink out of a man-made lake and fell right in! Luckily he had his halter and leash on. I just pulled him up like I caught a fish!

--Marshal Zeringue