Amy & Kool and Swift

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm Amy, and I work for a winery near Seattle, WA. I am owned by two dachshunds, both boys. Kool, the long-haired, is 8 years old. Swift, the chocolate smooth, turns 6 in November.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

After the FidoFest in Seattle's University Village, we stopped for a bit. UVillage is very dog-friendly, so it was a perfect time to hang out with my boys.

What's brewing?

I got my favorite drink at Starbucks: grande mocha with no whip.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

The boys got lucky and got some treats that I picked up at the FidoFest. Normally, they don't get many treats at home, but this was a special occasion.

How were you and Swift and Kool united?

I adopted Swift and Kool together, when they were 1 and 4. A family was getting divorced and needed to give their dogs to a new home. I got lucky and found my soulmates!

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Both boys came with their names. They were named after hip-hop artists: Ken Swift and DJ Kool.

I often call them silly names, like Kooly and Swifty.

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

We live right across a trailhead, so we're pretty lucky to have a built-in walking area. The boys love any off-leash park - they love to run free!

Squeaky-toy, tennis ball, Frisbee?

Swift is obsessed with his orange squeaky! It's his best friend, and he rarely goes anywhere without it. He often sleeps with it and sometimes tries to carry it outside on potty breaks. I have several backups in case he loses one or it gets old and breaks.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

The boys hate cats! Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers, so they have a hunting instinct. I tried to watch a friend's cat once, and the poor thing hid under the couch the entire time to get away from the boys.

What is each dog's best quality?

Swift is a great snuggler. He loves to sleep under the blankets with me.

Kool loves to give kisses! I can tell how much he missed me by how many times he kisses me when I come home.

If Swift and Kool could change one thing about you, what would it be?

I think they wish I would leave them out of their kennels while I'm gone.

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

Kool's proudest moment was when he won a kissing contest on Valentine's Day.

His most embarrassing would probably be when he pulled his leash out of my hand and chased after a senior dog. Poor Koda was just minding his own business when Kool just came at him and starting barking his head off.

Swift's proudest moment is the fact that he knows the cutest trick - he stands on his hind legs like a prairie dog.

Swift's most embarrassing moment is when he jumped on a picnic table at a dog park and grabbed treats right out of a stranger's bag. He's so rude!

Visit the Life with Doxies blog and Facebook page.

--Marshal Zeringue

Julia Buckley & Simon

FROM THE ARCHIVES:

Back in the summer of 2009 mystery writer and English teacher Julia Buckley and Simon, her half Jack Russell-half Beagle, helped kick off this site.

Part of our exchange:

Is Simon's bark worse than his bite?

Yes. He barks and howls, like Snoopy. But he is a total faker, as we see whenever visitors come over. Those who take the time to pet him find that he falls in love easily.

He only bit anyone once, and it was because I read something on the internet, one of those “how come” sort of philosophical lists people send around, that said “How come dogs love sticking their heads out the windows, but they hate it when people blow in their faces?”

I read this to my sons to make them laugh, but of COURSE my boys decided to immediately go and blow in the dog’s face. My little one was only about three years old, and I think Simon couldn’t decide what he was exactly, and when Graham squatted and blew in Simon’s face, Simon snapped. It was very instinctive, and only one of his teeth caught Graham on the lower lip, but WOW—you wouldn’t believe the blood. And then Graham touched his mouth, and cried and screamed and walked around the house touching the walls, and it was like the set of Macbeth.

Graham recovered quickly and...[read on]

The Dark Backward was Julia Buckley’s first mystery and is available at your local bookseller. Her novel Madeline Mann was called “A bright debut” by Kirkus, and Library Journal has dubbed her “a writer to watch.” Lovely, Dark and Deep, the second Madeline Mann novel, is now available as an e-book.

Visit Julia Buckley's Mysterious Musings blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

MacKenzie Cadenhead & Smudge

Who is in the photo at right?

Hi! I’m MacKenzie Cadenhead and I’m a children’s book writer. This is my dog, Smudge. She’s a six-year-old cockapoo who also happens to be my muse.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

It’s a rainy fall afternoon and Smudge and I are hanging out in my office enjoying a coffee break as we do most days. I’m at my desk while she’s curled up on her bed under the window beside me.

What's brewing?

Iced decaf coffee with almond milk.

Any treats for you or Smudge on this occasion?

Baby carrots.

Are you both always this healthy?

No, but we sound it, don’t we?! Chalk the decaf up to a new (human) baby, the almond milk up to lactose sensitivity, and the carrots up to the fact that Smudge already had a peanut butter treat today!

How were you and Smudge united?

When I began working from home my husband (who was secretly desperate for a dog) suggested that a puppy would get me away from my desk and out of the apartment at least a few times a day. I took this as a hint that he wanted me to change out of my pajamas each morning. The moment we saw Smudge we knew the three of us were meant for each other. I should admit, though, that I still don’t always change out of my PJs now. It’s amazing how little people care what you’re wearing around the neighborhood in the early morning.

How did she get her name? Any nicknames?

Smudge was named in honor of a friend’s pug, OG Smudge. We just loved the name and after she shed her puppy hair she had a smudge of brown fur down her back, so the name turned out to be an appropriate choice. Among her many nicknames are Lady Smudge, Smudgelet and Baby Puppy.

Please tell us about your new book.

Sally’s Bones is a middle grade novel about a girl and her reanimated skeleton dog who are accused of a crime they didn’t commit. It has amazing artwork by the appropriately named (and super talented) T.S. Spookytooth. Smudge was my muse on this book and it is dedicated to her.

What is Smudge's contribution to your writing?

Aside from inspiring me (not only is every mannerism hers but Sally’s love for Bones is mine for Smudge), Smudge listened to every draft of the book. Because there’s so much alliteration in the book and its rhythm is key I would read everything I wrote out loud over and over until it worked. Smudge’s patient listening was truly appreciated. Plus, whenever I got stuck she’d take me for a walk to help me clear my head.

Does Smudge have a favorite place to go for walk?

She likes to walk around our neighborhood but her favorite place to run free is my parents’ farm.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

She’d like a piece of all three of them but the postman is her #1 nemesis, without a doubt. I don’t know what it is about that uniform but my otherwise sweet baby goes ballistic!

What is Smudge's best quality?

Her kindness.

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

I know she’d be in heaven if I had an unlimited supply of tennis balls up my sleeve.

What's Smudge's proudest moment so far?

Her proudest moment was when we found a cat that had been clipped by a car on the side of the road. The three of us were already in our car so my husband scooped the cat up in a towel and I drove us around looking for a Vet’s office that was open.

Smudge, who normally would have protested that a member of the feline species was not only in our car but cradled in her daddy’s arms didn’t make a peep. She knew something was wrong and stayed calmly in the back seat the whole time. The cat was all right and home by nightfall.

We’re also proud of her appearance on the cover of an issue of Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane that I edited. (Cover art Takeshi Miyazawa, Norman Lee & Christina Strain)

Most embarrassing?

Her most embarrassing moment? It was probably this truly terrible haircut she got at a chichi groomers on the upper west side in Manhattan. They sheered her body and kept her ears and tail long and poufy.

Her tail was tucked between her legs for days and we referred to her as Fifi La Smudge. Poor pup – all us girls have been there. Needless to say we never went back to that place again!

Thank you for having us on Coffee with a Canine. Smudge informs me that our break is over and it’s back to work!

Visit MacKenzie Cadenhead's blog and follow her and Smudge on Twitter.

--Marshal Zeringue

Kaye Barley & Harley

FROM THE ARCHIVES:

A couple of years ago Kaye Barley and her corgi Harley were guests at Coffee with Canine.

Part of the Q & A:

How did Harley come to be united with you?

Donald and I had two cats. George and Martha. We got George and Martha at the Humane Society the day we returned home from our honeymoon. George graced us with his presence for 15 years, and Martha for 18. Losing them was, of course, heartbreaking and the saddest thing ever. Coming home from work to an empty house with no little loving furry creatures to greet us was also heartbreaking, but we just weren't quite ready for new kitties, so decided maybe it was time for a dog. We had met a couple of Corgis and thought they were very cool, very smart and just the right size for our little house. We found a woman in South Carolina who raised Corgis so we planned a "meet and greet." Obviously, it went well. I cannot imagine life without Harley. Vacation now means finding a place to stay that is "dog friendly," but that's not as difficult as we thought it might be. We've even imposed on friends and family when we've visited, and so far Harley has shown himself to be an exemplary house guest and minds his manners nicely.

Where do you usually take Harley out for fresh air?

We live in the wilderness and have a little bit of land. While walks with me are pretty boring for Harley, walks with Donald are a great adventure. They usually take a walk or two every day exploring. He has a pond he occasionally jumps into and he has a creek he loves to cross. He also has a huge fenced in area that he can get into simply by walking out the back door and off the deck. It's his own little world out there with some...[read on]

Learn more about Kaye Barley and Harley--and see more photographs of the corgi--at Meanderings and Muses.

--Marshal Zeringue

Sue Wilcox-Hall & Fudge and Samba

Who's in the photo at right?

I'm Sue Wilcox-Hall and with me are two of my ten dogs. I used to work as a bookkeeper, but now I spend my days playing with my dogs and indulging in my hobbies of knitting, sewing and cross stitch.

On the left is Fudge, a six year old Portuguese Water Dog and on the right is Fudge's mate Samba, a nine year old Portie.

What's the occasion for Coffee With A Canine?

The pack joins us every morning for coffee. If we have an early morning vet appointment or obedience class, we still have coffee together when we get home.

What's brewing?

No special blend in the morning. I do like a mocha later in the day. Any excuse to have some chocolate.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

Each morning my husband makes two slices of toast for the dogs. Some days he spreads them with cream cheese, sometimes with peanut butter and occasionally with jelly. He cuts them into little pieces and each dogs gets two pieces. They all wait quietly while we have breakfast, knowing their special treat is coming afterwards.

How were you and your dogs united?

We used to rescue abused and neglected puppies. Our first PWD was one of those pups. When he died at age 14 I knew I had met my breed and would always have one. I contacted a Portuguese lady who had some pups and Samba came to live with us. After a few years I decided to breed her and I studied pedigrees. Fudge had the best pedigree I could find and so at 8 weeks of age he joined the family. Together they produced a litter of nine and we kept six of the pups. The eight Porties along with two mixed breed rescues make up our family.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

Definitely squirrels which we have to refer to as 'sq'. They recognize the word and race to the windowseat to check the deck and trees for invading squirrels.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

I put a lot of thought into naming our dogs because they tend to grow into their names. Samba is Boo's Legacy Samba Dancer. Boo was our first Portie and she is his legacy. Legacy is also our kennel name. She came out of her carrier after a twelve hour flight jumping and dancing and ready for action.

Fudge is a brown and white Portie. His full name is Deerpark's Chocolate Legacy RN. Deerpark was his breeder's kennel, his color is chocolate and Legacy is our kennel name. I was at a loss as to what to call him until my husband asked what was my favorite type of chocolate candy. My answer was Fudge and it was the perfect name for this boy.

Samba is sometimes called Mama because she's the mother of so many of our dogs and Fudge is Fudgie or sometimes Doofus.

Tennis ball, squeaky-toy, Frisbee?

All of the above. Fudge like to make noise so he often carries a squeaky toy around and keeps up a constant squeak. Samba's very favorite toy is her Flying Cow Frisbee. She gets so excited when she sees it that I keep it hidden. She even taught all her puppies to play with it. Samba also loves her water Frisbee and does great water retrievals when we go to the lake.

How many times have you heard: "Oh, isn't that the kind of dog the Obama family has?"

Before the Obama's adopted Bo, most people had never heard of Portuguese Water Dogs. When I said I raised them, people gave me a blank look and asked what it was. Now some people recognize my dogs as PWDs, but even those that don't at least have heard of the breed. I no longer get people asking if they're poodles, labradoodles or sheepdogs.

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

Samba's proudest moment was when she and I delivered her beautiful puppies together. We cared for them together, it was really a joint effort. Samba doesn't have embarrassing moments. If something doesn't go as she planned, she shrugs it off and tries harder the next time. I wish I was more like her.

Fudge's proudest moment was when he earned his Rally Obedience title. We worked hard for it. He would say that wearing some of the hats I find for him are his most embarrassing times. I'd say his most embarrassing, at least for me, were the times in the show ring when he decided on his own to show the judges the tricks he could do. I say judges because Fudge has done this several times. He loves to make people laugh and if he sees that he's succeeding, there's no stopping him.

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

We have a fenced acre for the dogs to run and that's their favorite place to play. We organize games such as ball games, frisbee or chasing paper airplanes. They also have a wading pool that they love to splash in. There is a public trail behind our house and we often walk a couple at a time. It offers a good opportunity to do training away from their own yard and the rest of the pack.

What is each dog's best quality?

Samba is loyal. She wants to be with me every minute of the day. She'll do anything I tell her to. Fudge is a clown. He loves to make people laugh and he's also a very good sport.

If Hollywood made a movie in which your dogs could talk, who should do their voices?

Fudge would be Robin Williams. Fudge is a clown.

Samba would be Barbra Streisand because she has a great vocal range which she isn't afraid to use, from high pitched yips to deep throaty growls. Also as our Alpha dog, she's quite bossy.

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

Samba is a chow hound so she'd make me more generous with treats. She'd also be sure that I took her with me every time I leave the house. Fudge would like it if I paid less attention to the other male dogs in the house and gave him my undivided attention at all times.

Learn more about Fudge and Samba and their pack-mates at The Portuguese Water Blog and the Dogs-N-More blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Melissa & Yuki and Rocket

Who is in the photo at right?

That’s me, Melissa. I’m just a girl from Texas. I’m a mom to a precocious daughter and wife to a brave soldier. I like to think of myself as a domestic goddess: I love to cook, bake, and craft.

The white schnauzer is Yuki, she’s a 1 year old female. The salt and pepper schnauzer is Rocket, he’s a male and 4 ½ months old.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Yuki has a bit of a barking problem, and one exercise we like to do, is going through the Starbucks drive-thru. She has learned the people in the drive-thru mean no harm and give us treats from the little window. Yuki no longer barks at the drive-thru, and along with Rocket they put their little noses in the air, and sniff-sniff-sniff all that wonderful goodness that is the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

What's brewing?

Starbuck’s Tall Skinny Vanilla Latte.

Any treats for you or the dogs on this occasion?

Just their Organix kibble they eat every morning.

How were you and Yuki and Rocket united?

They were both found through separate breeders. We had to drive a little further for Yuki, since the breeders house is in New Mexico. Rocket’s breeder’s home was closer, since it is in the same city.

How did Yuki and Rocket get their names? Any nicknames?

Yuki-- We lived in Japan for over 3 years and we fell in love with everything; the culture, the customs, the food, the people, and the names. I really liked the name Yuki and since it’s Japanese for snow, I thought it was a great name for the snow-white fur Yuki has.

Rocket-- This name actually was a nickname we had for Yuki. At the end of the evening she gets a hyper-boost of energy and runs around at super-speed. We thought she looked exactly like the rocket-dog shoe logo. My husband said, Rocket would’ve been a good name for Yuki. I told him, ‘yeah but, it’s a boy’s name. So, luckily we found a boy and had his name before we found him.

Nicknames: Yuki, I've always called her Yukipoo, My Yuki, or polar bear. Rocket doesn't have any nicknames really. My husband says he looks like a raccoon. I will usually call him mama's boy, my little man, or handsome.

Do Yuki and Rocket have a favorite place to go for walk?

No, not really. I have the world’s laziest schnauzer who runs away when she sees the harness coming out. Her little tail tucks and she fakes an injury with a limping paw.

Rocket, well, he’s Rocket … he thinks walking up the street is the most exciting thing ever.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

Birds. Their prey-drive kicks in when they see birds.

What is each dog's best quality?

Yuki-- She is a little mama. She genuinely cares for you if you are sick or get hurt.

Rocket-- He is such a clown. There is something he does everyday that really makes me laugh.

If Yuki and Rocket could change one thing about you, what would it be?

Me giving them more of the human’s food.

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

Yuki-- proudest: Graduating from her advanced training class.

embarrassing: Poo’ing on her vet after her spay surgery.

Rocket-- proudest: Sitting and staying until released to eat his meals.

embarrassing: Anytime he had an accident on the carpet, inside the house. I think it’s why he was housebroken within days.

If Yuki and Rocket could each answer only one question in English, what would you ask them?

Yuki-- What’s with all the loud obnoxious barking?

Rocket-- Is there a limit to the amount of food you will actually eat before stopping?

Visit Yuki and Rocket's blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Kristina Riggle & Lucky

FROM THE ARCHIVES:

Back in the Summer of 2009, writer and occasional freelance journalist Kristina Riggle and her dog Lucky were guests at Coffee with Canine.

Part of the Q & A:

How did Lucky come to be united with you?

I was initially against getting a dog. I was always a cat person, and anyway, I felt I had my hands plenty full with our toddler and older son. But I relented after my book deal, partly because my husband has been so supportive of my writing career, I felt it was a way to repay him. Also, my son really wanted a dog. The things we do for our kids.

At first I was too skittish about adopting a rescue dog, fearing unpredictability. But after some more research, testimony from friends, and the sticker-shock of a purebred border terrier, we found Lucky via petfinder.com, identified as a border terrier mix who was good with kids and already housetrained. He was seven months old at the time.

Now I'm really glad we adopted a dog and I would recommend the same for anyone. Also, look at that face! He's so cute.

How did Lucky get his name?

My son Sam named him. We surprised Sam with the dog; my husband went by himself to go pick the dog up. As soon as Sam saw him, he lit up with pure joy and said, "I'll name him Lucky, hi Lucky!" and that was that. Sam had been reading a bedtime story about a boy with a dog named Lucky. I always liked the name Frodo for a dog....[read on]

Visit Kristina Riggle's website.

The Page 69 Test: Real Life & Liars.

Read--Coffee with a Canine: Kristina Riggle & Lucky.

Writers Read: Kristina Riggle.

The Page 69 Test: The Life You've Imagined.

--Marshal Zeringue