Lora Withnell & her dogs

Who is in the photo at right?

Hi, my name is Lora Withnell…that is me in the photo there on the right. I own a little slice of heaven, known as Rocking Dog Ranch and am part owner of a production company called Little Horse Mountain Productions. In the picture with me, are the dogs I generally travel with (starting on the bale and going left) Killiebrae Sally/6, L&M Bella/3; Grace/2; Nell/4; Gyp/2 and my red girl, Snook/9 (who is trying very hard to not get her photo taken).

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Since my dogs always come to work with me, I always have my first cup of coffee with them! This coffee was brought to me by my good friend, Adele. She regularly brings me coffee to drink during her lesson as she knows that will put me in a better frame of mind. This particular brew is from Dutch Brothers, black Americano. That cup that I am drinking out of is pretty special. It features my girl Nell, taken at a sheepdog trial by Vicki Close, working dog photographer extraordinaire!

Please tell us about Rocking Dog Ranch.

Rocking Dog Ranch started as a dream 7 years ago, when I took my rescue dog, Snook, out to a sheep ranch to be instinct tested. From there, I bought 10 acres, numerous sheep, and a guard llama, have taken more lessons and attended more clinics then I dare to confess. I teach lessons, train my own dogs to work sheep, and sheepdog trial as much as my schedule will allow. You can read about my adventures with my dogs. As the dream continues to unfolded, I joined into a partnership with my good friend and fellow dog trailer, Geri Byrne. Together we formed Little Horse Mountain Productions; a company that films, edits and brings stock dog training to DVD and on-line. Through both endeavors, I have met the most amazing people, most of which seem to drink coffee with their dogs!

How were you and your dogs united?

My first sheepdog, Snook, came from PNW Border Collie rescue. I owe her more than words can say. From there, all the other border collies that I work and trial were purchased for the task. Well, all except for Miss Gyp, who was my pick from a litter I bred out of my Nell.

How did your dogs get their names? Any nicknames?

All my dogs have middle names…..Sally Jane, Nellie Bellie, Bella Rosa, Gypsy Rose….Grace has yet to find her middle name…and any of them know they are in serious trouble if the last name gets used!

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

All my dogs would love to obsess about any cat….I don’t let them. Snook has a huge crush on my eldest son’s girlfriend. While Grace gets all goo goo eyed about my husband and my sons when they come home.

What is each dog's best quality?

I think each of my dog’s best quality is that they want to work sheep with me. Each is so very different, Nell is very talented but thinks she is smarter than me, Bella is very biddable and wants to please, Gyp is just beginning to blossom so every day is like the unwrapping of a gift and not knowing what I will find till I get there.

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

The one thing my dogs have changed in me: I used to be a yeller. Snook has left me to my own yelling on numerous occasions and for that I am thankful. She, along with each of my other dogs, is a mirror into my soul. Very often, if things are not going as planned, all I have to do is look at myself…..I have had to learn to control my emotions and be very fair without holding a grudge. I think that “changing me” has been the hardest part of this journey of working dogs…but oh so worthwhile!

What is each dog's proudest moment?

I think what I am most proud of is that magical moment, whether it is on the trial field, home doing the sheep work I need to do, or helping other sheep ranchers in the area, when each of my dogs understands exactly what I am asking, and I trust them enough to get the job done. For me, that is the most amazing feeling of partnership and is what I strive for with each and every one of my girls.

Visit the Rocking Dog Ranch blog and learn more about at the Sheepdog Training Courses at Little Horse Mountain Productions.

--Marshal Zeringue

Tom Lowe & Sadie and Barley

Who is in the photo at right?

That's Sadie and Barley in the picture with me, Tom Lowe. Can you tell which one is the dachshund? Actually, they're both doxie's. Sadie is the one with big brown eyes and permanent eyeliner. Barley, blue eyes and an uncanny Marty Feldman look, is watching my wife with the camera while he looks at Sadie -- at the same time. He's trained one "unique eye" to capture its own visuals. Sort of like being able to listen to two conversations at once. That's talent.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Coffee with a canine is a ritual every morning. However, to toast the release of my latest novel, The Butterfly Forest, we walk to a Starbucks a few blocks from our home. Once there, after orders, we sip cappuccinos on the Starbucks "front porch" and greet every human and carnivorous mammal that strolls by us. Dachshunds seem to stir a curiosity in the passersby. Barley manages to perplex them. The greetings usually go something like this:

"Oh, how cute. My aunt had one like the brown dog." (awkward pause) "What kind of dog is the other one?"

"He's a dachshund, too. He's a piebald."

"Highball?"

"No, he's a piebald. You know, it's the spots."

They nod and watch Barley cock his head like he's considering them. Then they smile and walk away.

Barley's used to the routine. He's cool with it because he can see through it. It's the sixth sense of having selective double vision.

What's new with Sadie and Barley since we were last in touch?

There's a lot that's new since you first visited with Sadie and Barley. Sadie, the inspiration behind the dog "Max," in my Sean O'Brien mystery/thriller novels, is getting her own growing fan club. We, or she, receives her share of email inquiries. Usually from folks with dachshund stories to share. I read them all to her. She listens intently before falling asleep. I'm thinking about working a piebald dachshund scene into one of the next books. It'll be easy to write.

The dialogue has been in rehearsal for a while.

If your dogs were given a human voice in a movie about your life, who should do their voices and why?

If the dogs had human voices in a movie about my life, Barley would have the voice of Roger Rabbit. Since Barley's sort of an anthropomorphic pooch -- wait, as I write this, he's staring up at me, one eye on my face, the other on my computer screen, and he appears to be reading He says, ""P-b-b-b-b-bleeeease! Don't compare me to a rabbit. Especially one with so much baggage. Now, if you must split hairs, and compare me to a hare, may I suggest White Rabbit. Punctual. To the point. Graceful. Slick. And when I stare into the looking glass, I can see outside the rabbit hole, too."

Sadie might have the voice of Lady, as in Lady and the Tramp. She's feminine. Eyes full of expression. Make-up that never runs. And she loves spaghetti. Forget the small fact that she's not a cocker spaniel, she has the heart of Lady, and the sweetness to hang with Tramp. Yeah, that's me.

If your dogs could answer one question in English, what would you ask them?

Barley: "What does it feel like to watch a 3D movie and see it in 4D?"

Sadie: "Dr. Oz says we should all switch to whole wheat pasta. There's less sugar intake. What do you think? Never mind, you're sweet enough."

Read Tom Lowe & Sadie's 2010 interview.

Visit Tom Lowe's website.

Lowe's Sean O'Brien mystery/thrillers include A False Dawn, The 24th Letter, and The Butterfly Forest.

The Page 69 Test: The 24th Letter.

My Book, The Movie: The Butterfly Forest.

--Marshal Zeringue

Marianne & Finn

Who is in the photo at right?

This is me, Marianne and my beautiful girl Finn. She's a golden retriever and she turned one this past October.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I work a part-time job on the weekends, and my husband was nice enough to have this waiting for me when I got home on Sunday.

It's finally getting cold enough in New York so we can start enjoying these warm treats. And Finn will always come over and investigate what we're eating and drinking.

What's brewing?

It's a hot cocoa from Dunkin' Donuts. I actually don't drink coffee.

Any treats for you or Finn on this occasion?

Well, I split a frosted donut with my husband and I confess, we let Finn have a little lick of the frosting.

How were you and Finn united?

On Christmas Eve 2010, my husband and I stopped by one of our local kennels "just to look." We went through a few rounds of playing with other dogs, and then I saw her. I just knew she had to be mine.

How did Finn get her name? Any nicknames?

Finn came from Huckleberry Finn. Everyone thinks it's an Irish name, but I am 100% Italian.

I just love Mark Twain (I even toured his house in CT this summer) and it seemed like a perfect fit.

Yes, I know Huck Finn is a boy and my Finn is a girl! We call her Finn, The Finn, Finnie, Finnickles and FinnFinn.

Does Finn have a favorite place to go for walk?

Finn will lay at my feet in the mornings until we do our usual loop for a walk through the neighborhood.

She just loves to be taken outside in general and is up for an adventure wherever we go.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

Squirrels. The postmen around here drive from house to house, and she is terrified of cats. She loves to chase squirrels across the field.

What is Finn's best quality?

She is curious about everything. I could be folding the laundry or making the bed, and she'll come wandering over to see what I am doing and watch me do every detail so much that we think she's planning to do it herself the next time.

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

I am sure she'd love to be fed from the table.

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

We use a Barbara Walters "Hewwwow" voice for Finn.

If Finn could answer only one question in English, what would you ask her?

I would just like to know if she's happy.

Visit Finn Howard's blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Vickie & Bert

Who is in the photo at right?

What a great chance to introduce myself (Vickie) and Bert. The picture is probably one of 10 pictures ever taken of me. I am pretty camera shy, but Bert on the other hand has had hundreds of pictures taken of him. We had to have a police ID picture and that is the only reason there is this one.

I run a little alternative doggy day care kennel in Utah. I had worked for many years in the field of Mental Health but after a lot of close calls and the loss of my sister and best friend, I walked away from that career and started doing something I really loved. Working with dogs.

Bert is a 3 1/2 year old male golden retriever.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Well, we are not coffee drinkers but I do love a good cup of hot chocolate on a cold day and today it is really cold. As the winter snow storms begin, Bert and I try and start our day with a little one on one time, before the day care dogs come. He usually sits at my side and gets a few baby marshmallows and I just chill (haha).

What's brewing?

We like the packaged hot chocolate with a bit of cinnamon and lots and lots of whipped cream and marshmallows.

How were you and Bert united?

My third partner in search and rescue, Jamie, a little border collie mix, had become too old to continue working and so I was thinking I would either retire (after 25 years and three k-9 partners) or maybe work another 10 years with another dog.

I had a golden as my second search & rescue partner but she had been killed after only working for 5 years. I loved her dearly and thought I might be interested in getting another golden for search work.

I went to look at a local litter with every intention of not bringing home a pup but it took about two seconds to know that Bert and I were meant to be together.

How did Bert get his name? Any nicknames?

My Aunt who went with me to look at the litter wanted to call him Prince Charming which would have been totally embarrassing on a search. I could just imagine calling my k-9 partner over to me with "Come charming, Come" Or "Prince, go find" it just didn't seem to fit.

But on the drive home with the little pup laying on my shoulder the name Bert came to me as totally fitting for the little guy. To appease my Aunt I called him Prince Albert. That made her feel better, but to me he will always be just plain "Bert."

Please tell us a bit about Bert's work as a therapy dog.

Bert certified in search and rescue as a wilderness, cadaver, water, tracking and disaster dog. From the age of 14 weeks, he would go to schools and teach wilderness safety to thousands of children all over the states of Utah, Idaho. and Nevada.

Through the search dogs he also went to retirement homes to visit the residents.

On one demonstration, Bert and I were asked to go to a camp that is for children with cancer. We have done it for years, but this year (2011), Bert met a four year old boy who stole our hearts. Bert was wonderful with this child, as he is with all children, but this one particularly brought out a very unique quality in Bert. A sensitivity that I had not been aware of to date.

It was at this moment that I knew we needed to look into the therapy work more seriously.

What is Bert's best quality?

Bert's gentle side and his understanding of what humans need from him is his best quality. Now don't get me wrong, he can be a nut, a little obsessive compulsive, but when he goes into the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital he becomes the perfect boy. At the request of nurses and doctors he is helped up onto the bed of the patient and he gently lays himself snugly along the side of their bodies, puts his head at their side just under the arm for petting and the two of them just melt into a world of healing. It is amazing to watch and a privilege to be a part of.

Who is Bert's best pet-pal?

Bert's very best friend is another search dog named Murphy. Murphy and Bert have been friends from the first day they met. Since they spend so much time together on searches and in training, they have become like brothers.

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

I think he would like it if I would quit working and just spend time with him, doing what ever he wants -- taking more hikes, more trips to the river for a swim, just more me time.

If Hollywood made a movie in which Bert could talk, who should do his voice?

Michael J. Fox.

Visit the Canine Country Club website and the Four Legged Views blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Sam Moffie & Bailey

Who is in the photo at right?

My name is Sam Moffie. I am a writer of fiction and when not creating characters and plots I run my tavern in Youngstown, Ohio. Bailey is my second best friend, my first best friend is my wife Juliette. Bailey is a five year old male golden retriever.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I have coffee before I walk Bailey, because despite lots of love and walks, he still tugs me every which way and I have learned that having hot coffee down your throat is better than having it all over your clothes.

What's brewing?

A k-cup of French Vanilla.

Any treats for you or Bailey on this occasion?

For Bailey, the treat is the walk.

How were you and Bailey united?

My ex-wife bought Bailey, but when she did, she was my present wife.

How did your dog get his name? Any nicknames?

The ex named him. His nickname is "Big B."

Does your dog have a favorite place to go for walk?

Bailey likes to walk anywhere. Whether it's in the Poland Woods or New York City, as long as he is walking, he is very happy.

Does Bailey have any influence on your writing?

Very much so. Bailey is disguised as 'Churchill' in my third novel No Mad. When walking him, it clears my mine to focus, unless he runs after another living creature.

What is your dog's best quality?

Bailey's best quality is his loyalty.

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

Bailey would want me to pet him more, feed him more, walk him more.

If Bailey was able to speak in a Sam Moffie biopic, who should do his voice?

Bailey would speak to me in my father's voice.

If Bailey could each answer only one question in English, what would you ask him?

"Am I a good master?"

Visit Sam Moffie's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Susan Garrett & Swagger, Feature, Encore, Buzz, and DeCaff

Who is in the photo at right?

Those are my four Border Collies; Swagger (9 mo), his mother Feature (4 years), Encore (7 years), Buzz (15 years) and Mix breed “DeCaff” (12 years).

My name is Susan Garrett. I am a professional dog trainer that lectures all over the world about training your dog through games rather than intimidation.

I have been very fortunate to have owned some amazing dogs that have won more than 25 National Agility Championships and 2 World Championships over the past 20 years.

This picture [photo left] is of myself and my Border Collies Feature and Encore, we were on a trip to the UK for a competition and to teach.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

My dogs chill out every morning while I sit at my computer with a cup of Tazo “Refresh” Herbal Peppermint tea, the way we start each day.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

Organic vegan cookies for me, homemade tuna brownies.

How were you and your dogs united?

Buzz and DeCaff were “sent to me” -- I was not looking for a dog when I got each of them but those two dogs were definitely the most pivotal in my dog training career. I learned so much from them, which inspired a video clip on YouTube called “The Journey” which is nearing 200,000 views.

I wrote a book about Buzz, Shaping Success -- it was named dog training book of the year in 2005 by the Dog Writers Association of America. As I professional dog trainer I had more than one break down sobbing due to the challenges Buzz gave me.

How did your dogs get their names? Any nicknames?

Buzz was crazy with drive. His registered name is “High On Emotion” and he has always lived up to that! The dog I got after Buzz I knew would be called “DeCaff” because once you have had a Buzz you certainly need a DeCaff!

They all have many nicknames; here are some of them:

Buzz: BooBoo

DeCaff: My Dee Dog (mighty dog)

Encore: Coriander

Feature: Peach Pie

Swagger: Wagger, Monkey Man,

Please tell us about your on-line dog training courses.

After spending more than 20 years traveling the globe giving lectures on our unique approach to dog training I realized I was limited with how many dogs and dog owners I could help. People werenʼt progressing as fast as they or I would like because I couldnʼt get to all of the places that asked as often as I wanted. So three years ago I started some on-line training. It by far as produced the best results I have ever seen in all of my years of dog training. Our program works because I know none of us has extra time each day to train a dog but anyone can squirrel away 5 minutes to play with their dog.

The 5 Minute Formula is about to launch another course at the end of November. People sign up to learn one new 5 minute game a day and at the end of the 6 week course they have a better trained dog then they have ever dreamt possible. It really works just like that!

I actually also give out a ton of free videos and ebooks to help people, even if they canʼt sign up for our main courses. Just sign up for my newsletter on my website.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

Definitely postman -- my dogs adore people and when we go walking they barely even notice any wild life that may run by.

What is each dog's best quality?

Buzz: His lack of self awareness. Nothing bothers him, he goes with the flow and negativity can not enter his bubble. I think that has been his secret to living a happy life, now at over 15 years young, still without a gray hair!

DeCaff: Loyalty, she would go through fire for me.

Encore: Her love of people. She greets everyone she meets like they are a long lost love just returning from battle.

Feature: She has so many it is hard to pick one; a gifted athlete, a great mother to Swagger and a character that cracks you constantly with her antics.

Swaggger: His work ethic is off the charts and he has that same athletic ability and personality he inherited from his mother Feature.

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

That is easy: they would have me spend less time at the computer.

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

Buzz - Eddie Murphy; DeCaff - Renee Russo; Encore - Susan Saradon; Feature - Jane Lynch; Swagger - Zac Efron.

If your dogs could each answer only one question in English, what would you ask them?

Buzz - Why did you feel the need to scream at me so much when you worked?

DeCaff -- Why do you feel you must control what the other dogs do?

Encore -- Why do you feel the need to smoother everyone with so much love?

Feature - - Why do male dogs annoy you so?

Swagger -- Does being the focus of the Pup-arazzi ever annoy you? (Swagger is the star of an ongoing video course called “Puppy Peaks.” People have watched him grown up since the day he was born and he gets recognized and photographed everywhere we go.)

Visit the Susan Garrett Agility Training and Say Yes Dog Training websites.

--Marshal Zeringue

Krista Wells & Ruca

Who is in the drawing at right?

I'm Krista Wells. I'm a visual artist and former Foley artist (sound effects for film and t.v.). About four years ago I developed a rare hearing disorder called hyperacusis. The quick definition of the disorder is "a collapsed tolerance for everyday sound" which basically means that my brain perceives sound to be much louder than it actually is. The upshot of this is that I had to stop working and now I devote my energy to my visual art which has always been a part of my life in one form or another. The handsome fellow beside me in the sketch is Ruca, a dog I met several years ago in Portugal. Ruca is an artist as well so we struck up a friendship. The sketch is from his journal.

Ruca is about four years old. He's a mixed breed with the typical colouring of many of the mixed breed dogs in the Algarve. It's the same colour as the delicious café com leite, which literally is coffee with milk and is made with a shot of espresso, steamed milk and a bit of milk foam on top.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

In the sketch [above right], Ruca and I are sitting outside the Varandas Bar in Burgau waiting for our cafés com laite. We’re meeting to discuss plans for publishing his illustrated journals. He’s been keeping an illustrated journal for a couple of years and a blog since March of this year. The blog has proven to be quite popular and he has made many new friends through it. I thought it would be fun to publish a book of some of his art and observations so that his view on things could reach a wider audience. There’s also something satisfying about holding a book in your hands (or paws) that you just can’t get from a blog.

What's brewing?

As I mentioned, we’re having café com leite at Varandas. They use Delta brand espresso, brew it to perfection and add just the right amount of steamed milk. I like mine really hot but for Ruca they don’t heat the milk up quite as much. Ruca tries to limit the amount of coffee he drinks, although caffeine buzz has spawned a new style of drawing for him which he calls caffeinated drawing. The sketches of the two dogs are in that style.

Any treats for you or Ruca on this occasion?

No treats this time, but when we have a coffee at Mi Mar in Lagos I get a pastel de nata (a flaky pastry with cream filling) and he has a pastel de bacalhau (pastry filled with cod, like a little fishcake).

How were you and Ruca united?

Ruca and I met at Varandas Bar in Burgau, a little fishing village in the Algarve in Portugal where my partner Michael and I have been spending time during the winter for many years. Ruca had just come back from a long walk along the cliffs. He had been tagging along with a Scottish friend who regularly takes long early morning hikes. He looked exhausted, was covered in mud and was in need of a coffee, so I obliged and we’ve been friends ever since.

How did Ruca get his name? Any nicknames?

Ruca is the name of a character in a children’s book and t.v. show. It’s originally from Canada and the character is called Caillou. The Portuguese changed it to Ruca. This Ruca was named by a local family who were under the illusion that he belonged to them. Little did they know how independent Ruca is. He’s a free spirit and prefers to live on the street. I sometimes call him Sweet Boy which he doesn’t seem to mind.

Does Ruca have a favorite place to go for walk?

Ruca is a very sociable fellow. He spends a lot of time at a dog rescue centre not far from Burgau and loves walking with all the dogs there. He also enjoys walking around Lagos, a town not far from Burgau. He meets up with his best friend Rita and they make the rounds of the shops near her person’s bookstore. Everyone knows them and has treats for them. This picture [photo left] is me getting a sloppy greeting from lovely Rita.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

Around Burgau it is has to be cat. There are so many to choose from, but he knows which ones are game and which ones aren’t. It’s a delicate line to walk!

What is Ruca's greatest contribution to your artwork?

What Ruca has taught me is to really enjoy the act of making something and not to worry about the result. He gets such joy from sketching and painting and experimenting, it’s infectious.

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

I think Ruca would like it if I had a job as a butcher so I could supply him with all the tasty bones he could ever wish for.

What is Ruca's proudest moment so far?

The first time Ruca held a pen in his paws and was able to do a sketch without totally messing it up was a huge boost for him. When Ruca first started making marks, it was with a stick in the sand. That progressed to using a stick dipped in mud to draw on scraps of paper. The first time he tried a pen he found it difficult to see what he was doing because he was holding it in his mouth and his face was too close to the paper. He was used to having long sticks which meant the paper was far enough away that he could focus on it. To use a pen effectively he had to find a way to maneuver it with his paws. The first time he managed to do it was like the first time a child rides a bike on his own. He was so proud of himself!

If Hollywood made a movie about your life in which Ruca could speak, who should do his voice?

I would want Jay Baruchel (The Trotsky, Just Buried (a film I did the Foley sound for), How to Train Your Dragon) to voice Ruca. Jay’s got such an endearing, quirky, goofy, yet intelligent way about him. It would fit Ruca perfectly.

If Ruca could each answer only one question in English, what would you ask him?

Ruca, is there any way I can make your life even better?

Visit the Dog-eared Journals: art and observations from a dog living in Portugal.

--Marshal Zeringue