Jessica Pierce & Maya

Who is in the photo at right?

My name is Jessica Pierce and I’m a bioethicist and writer. With me is Maya, my little German Shorthaired/English pointer Mix. She’s about 9 and a half, and the sweetest thing you’ll ever meet. We’ve just finished a run together.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I go to The Stone Cup almost every day, and almost always with Maya at my side. We stop there on our way back from a morning run and I arm myself with caffeine before I head to work. The motto of The Stone Cup is “Lyons’ Front Porch”—it is a hub of activity in this little town. My day doesn’t really feel complete without a few minutes on the Porch.

What's brewing?

I am a creature of habit. I have a flat macchiato, little extra milk, small sized cup, and a piece of the Stone Cup’s most excellent pumpkin-walnut bread. They know me well, so I just have to walk up and say “The usual.” The Stone Cup uses organic and fair trade coffee beans, and they compost or recycle almost every scrap of trash they produce.

Any treats for you or your dog on this occasion?

Maya shares my pumpkin bread. She doesn’t really like walnuts, so I have to pick those out for her.

How were you and your dog united?

Maya’s father, Buzz Lightyear, belonged to a friend of mine. This friend just happened to mention that Buzz had sired a litter of pointer-mix pups and that there was one little puppy who still needed a home. My daughter and I went out to visit the mom, Ocho, and her two remaining pups, Maggie and our little Maya. (Maggie remained with Ocho’s family.) Pointer puppies don’t yet have their spots, so Maya was pure white except for her solid brown head. She looked like she had been dipped upside-down in a bucket of brown paint. She was fat as a sausage and, of course, totally irresistible.

How did she get her name? Any aliases?

Maya is named after a guinea pig. Said guinea pig belonged to one of my daughter’s kindergarten friends. Our Vizsla, Odysseus, had been invited inside this friend’s house one day, during a play date. Ody proceeded down to their basement to visit the guinea pig. Later that night, the poor guinea pig died mysteriously. My daughter’s five year old friend was convinced that Ody had caused the little creature to have a delayed heart attack. Ody was branded a murderer. We adopted Maya shortly after the guinea pig debacle, and it just seemed fitting to honor the life of the deceased guinea pig. Maia is also a goddess in Greek mythology, and so the name seemed like a nice complement to the great king Odysseus.

Maya’s nickname: Meep. Don’t ask why.

Please tell us about your new book, The Last Walk: Reflections on Our Pets at the Ends of Their Lives.

The Last Walk is about the final year of Ody’s life, and about the practical and moral challenges of caring for aged animals and helping them die well.

Does your dog have a favorite place to go for an outing?

Maya loves to go running with me, and it doesn’t matter where we go. But she especially loves a place called Button Rock Reservoir. There are miles and miles of mountain trail where Maya can run off leash.

Squeaky-toy, ball, stick...?

She has a stuffed collie which she likes to use for tug-of-war. Actually, it isn’t stuffed anymore—she pulled out all the fuzz.

Who is your dog's best pet-pal?

Thor the cat. Who really thinks he’s a dog.

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

Oh dear… so many choices. She would probably make me be a little less conscientious, that way I would feed her more treats and worry less about her getting a little round about the belly.

If Maya could speak in the movie about your life, who should do her voice?

Natalie Portman.

If your dog could answer just one question in English, what would you ask her?

I would ask her if she likes being an only dog or if she would rather we got her a sibling or two.

Read more about The Last Walk: Reflections on Our Pets at the Ends of Their Lives at Jessica Pierce's website and blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Giveaway: "You Tell Your Dog First"

Author Alison Pace and the Campaign for the American Reader are giving away a copy of her new book, You Tell Your Dog First.

About the book, from the publisher:

You Tell Your Dog First…

About the date you just had…about the questionable results of a medical test…about the good and the bad…about everything.

For years, award-winning author Alison Pace was a dog person without a dog. And then, she got Carlie—a feisty and fluffy West Highland white terrier. She could weed out bad boyfriends with a sniff of her button-black nose and win the hearts of lifelong friends with an adoring gaze. Suddenly, Alison had a constant companion and confidante, who went with her on long morning rambles in Central Park, on trips to the country and the beach, and on her search for inner peace, love, and happiness. Through Carlie, Alison found herself connected to the world as never before.

With her trademark warmth, wit and humor, Alison shares her stories…the tales of a dog person who found her dog.

Learn more about the book and author at Alison Pace's website.

HOW TO ENTER: Visit the Campaign for the American Reader Facebook page, scroll down, and "like" the post for You Tell Your Dog First. Contest closes on Tuesday, November 6th.

--Marshal Zeringue

Lisa Edwards & Boo, Porthos, and Pinball

Who is in the photo at right?

This is Boo my dog and I am his human, Lisa Edwards. I am a nationally certified dog trainer and behavior consultant. Boo is a very mixed breed dog. He found his way to us twelve years ago when he was only six weeks old.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

When the weather turns colder, I like to sit outside with my morning cup of coffee warming my hands as I watch the dogs eat leaves like they are potato chips. Occasionally the dogs come over to check in with me. Normally I’m in my bath robe, but today I got dressed.

What's brewing?

My coffee of choice is a very, very strong Columbian blend—eight scoops for six cups of water and enough half-and-half to make those clouds Carly Simon talked about.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

Usually the leaves-as-potato-chips are enough for them to have fun, but sometimes I have to pay them well to come in from the leafy-fun. For that I use my probably-should-be patented puppy crack mixtures of stinky treats.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Boo got his name because we found him on Halloween—it was only in later years we found that would help his work with children so much as both his name and demeanor charmed all and disarmed those who may have had fears of dogs. Porthos got his name because his back end looked just like Gerard Depardieu’s naked butt in the movie Man in the Iron Mask. Pinball [photo left] got his name because he bounced back from puppy Parvovirus when he was just seven weeks old with just a little antibiotic and some sub-q fluids. Later we found that name fit his energy too well and wondered if perhaps the name caused that… The next dog will be named Calm.

How were you and your dogs united?

Boo’s litter was dropped off at a pet store doorstep. I was headed to buy Halloween candy when I saw the sign – “Puppies $49.95” and thought I’d just stop in for a puppy fix before heading home with the candy. Instead, I headed home with Boo.

Porthos chose us when we took Dante and Boo to pick out a new puppy and Porthos sat at my feet, sat for Dante, and then sat for Boo while his littermates ignored us almost completely save for a couple drive-by sniffings.

Pinball’s sister Callie was to be our dog after Dante died. However, she did not survive the Parvovirus and all the other dogs from that litter and their mother had been adopted from the shelter. In Callie’s memory we couldn’t leave Pinball there. In hindsight, given his craziness I am not sure he could have made it in most homes. We believe he owes Callie his life.

What surprised you most in taking A Dog Named Boo from an idea to an actual book?

Boo’s overall achievement. Training and living with a dog can often be like watching your hair grow—you know it does, but you just don’t see the dramatic changes that others do. In writing A Dog Named Boo I had to stop and really look at Boo’s accomplishments that I had simply accepted as part of Boo and in that I realized just what an amazing dog he is in terms of overcoming his limitations, offering love and affection when he was so often confused and fearful in the beginning, and ultimately using all his charm and gentle awareness to help so many—including me, my husband and our son.

What is each dog's best quality?

Boo is love and patience.

Porthos is intelligence and eagerness to comply with whatever I ask of him—he takes his insulin shots twice a day quite happily.

Pinball for all his zaniness reminds me everyday to play or else!

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

Boo would sing “Don’t worry – be Happy.”

Porthos would try to convince me that he can take care of things.

And, Pinball would try to teach me to be more ebullient. They would all like me to worry less.

If Hollywood made a movie about A Dog Named Boo in which your dogs could speak, which actors should do their voices?

Boo would have to be Yoda. Porthos would have to be Morgan Freeman and Pinball would need to be Robin Williams from his Mork and Mindy days.

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

Did I miss anything you needed?

Visit the official A Dog Named Boo website and Boo's blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Michelle & Bodie and Magoo

Who is in the photo at right?

Hi, I'm Michelle, we live in New Zealand, in between lounging about as much as possible I work in an office, you know the deal, airconditioning, computer and coffee. With me are Bodie (m) and Magoo (f) - 8 and 8 1/2 respectively. They are Border Terriers, a hardy little breed that originated on the Border of Scotland and England.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

In summer weekends this is the best way to start the day; I usually eat breakfast out in the back yard.

What's brewing and any treats for your dogs on this occasion?

Usually home ground plunger coffee: I think this brew is called Screaming Turtle. Flat white no sugar. The treat for the dogs is a bit of our training food, Superior Chunky, so that they will sit nicely for the photo. I don't think they are really into what I am reading here.

How were you and your dogs united?

Bodie [photo left] I got as a pup at 7 weeks. I had seen his Dad at a terrier dog show, till then I had never even heard of Border Terriers but I liked their no nonsense look and the long legs.

And Bodie's dad Stan was just a gentle adorable guy so of course I put my name down for one of his pups.

Magoo came to us when she was 2; this is a photo of her [at right] the first time we saw her. She fit right in straight away. Bodie couldn't believe his eyes when he woke up the night after she arrived and she was still there; he bounced all over the bed.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Bodie was named after the 70s show character in The Professionals. His nicknames are Bodes, Wodes, and the Bodester.

Originally the intention was that the second pup would be Doyle of course, but when we got Magoo I just remembered a childhood character called Mr Magoo and thought that was a cute name for such a wee dog. She's usually called Goo, or the Goose.

Do your dogs have a favorite place to go for an outing?

Our favourite place at the moment is a wild west coast beach just out of Auckland. Bodie's a pretty independent wee chap with a really good recall so he's happy to go mooching off on his own investigating and I know he won't be too far away.

Magoo never stops and only has one speed -- 100 miles an hour. Here [photo left] she's just towed me for the past hour up and down a steep hill and she's still got energy to burn.

Rabbit, postman, cat...?

Magoo will chase anything that moves. Bodie's usually too busy leaving peemail to notice anything that moves; he's not too keen on skateboards though having nearly been run over by a couple of them and doesn't like noisy motorbikes.

What is each dog's best quality?

Magoo is always up for an adventure and will come out with me for hours on a walk. On the other hand Bodie is happy to come out with me to friends' for dinner and just mooch about with the people or investigate their garden and take their couch for a test drive.

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

Goo's favourite toy is a rock. I keep confiscating them cos she keeps burying them in my bed, but we must live on top of a quarry as she keeps digging up more. Last weekend I found a 1kg lump of dirty concrete buried under my duvet. I don't know how a 6kg dog got in in her mouth, through the dog door and up onto the bed? This photo [at right] is of a cleaner more genteel rock than the latest lump.

Bodie is obsessed with the rubber milking teats that we get off the farm. And he doesn't shred them, which is pretty good for a terrier.

If your dogs could speak in the movie about your life, who should do their voices?

Danny DeVito for Bodie and Princess Fiona (is that Cameron Diaz?) from Shrek for Goo.

Visit the Bodie & Mrs Magoo blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Iris Anthony & Larry

Who is in the photo at right?

I’m Iris Anthony, author of the historical novel The Ruins of Lace. Hanging out on the couch with me is Larry the Cuddle Pug. He was rescued from a shelter last summer, so his age is uncertain, but I think 5 years is a good guess.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Larry and I have coffee every day. I start writing about ten in the morning and by then my initial caffeine fix has worn off. I usually sip a shot of espresso as I turn the computer on and get to work. Larry’s bed is underneath my desk, so he keeps me company.

What's brewing?

A shot of Starbucks French Roast. I’m from the Pacific Northwest and when I was going to school at the University of Washington, there were only two Starbucks in the entire world, both of them in Seattle. Starbucks truly is my local coffee shop.

Any treats for you or Larry on this occasion?

Yes! An ice cube – or two if he’s looking extra cute. Larry has a gluten allergy so his diet is limited. For a while he tolerated baby carrots, but he’s been reacting to those lately as well.

How did Larry get his name? Any aliases?

He definitely knew his name when he was adopted and it fits his face and his personality, so there was really no need to change it. I call him Larold, though, when he gets in trouble. He doesn’t really look like a Lawrence but I can’t legitimately call him Harold either, so Larold has turned out to be a good compromise.

How were you and your dog united?

I first saw Larry on the internet last summer and it was love at first sight.

How does Larry contribute to your writing?

Larry keeps me on task. In the cooler months, he sits in my lap and sleeps as I write at my desk (which has the added benefit of keeping me warm). I hate to have to wake him up which usually keeps me in my chair and writing until noon. After a break for lunch (and more ice cubes) we go back to work until mid-afternoon. I have to say he’s lousy at research though. I do my research reading on a couch in the living room and more than once his snores and deep breathing have put me to sleep.

Who is Larry's best pet-pal?

Larry’s a bit shy around other dogs, although he loves people. There’s a little Yorkipoo next door that would love to be friends. I’m hopeful that with a little more time and a little less exuberance on the Yorkipoo’s part they’ll become the best of friends.

Does your dog have any non-canine pet-pals?

Larry has two human neighbors across the street that he adores. One has a knack for picking out just the right dog toys and the other has the gift of knowing exactly how to pet him. Larry also has a favorite stuffed rabbit toy. When he’s not busy trying to chew off Bunny’s tail, he takes great care in grooming it the same way he grooms himself. He also needs Bunny to sleep. If he trots off to bed without his toy, he soon comes back in search of it.

Squirrel, cat, postman...?

Larry’s a little cock-eyed so he doesn’t see very well. The neighborhood has a large number of squirrels, rabbits, and even several foxes, but I don’t think he’s ever noticed any of them.

The postman is a good friend, though.

What is Larry's best quality?

He makes everyone who comes by feel special and not in an obsequious sort of way. He’s just very endearing.

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

He would make me share my pillow with him. (Not happening, buddy!)

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

Rick Moranis. See what I mean about Lawrence? Rick Moranis could never be a Lawrence.

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

How did you end up at the shelter?

Visit Iris Anthony's website and blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Jaime & Cookie Munster

photo credit: Tom Buchanan

Who is in the photo at right?

From top left... my husband Dan who is hanging onto Chance (the Munsterlander that started the craze), Jules (Cookie's mom), my step-dad Rob; I'm Jaime and I'm at the bottom left hanging onto Cookie Munster, Mocca (Cookie's brother), my mom Gwen who's hanging onto Steele (Cookie's dad).

Dan and I own Cookie who is a 4 year old male Small Munsterlander. The rest of the Munster Pack lives with my folks. Everyone is fixed now so no more Munsters! I'm the Financial Services Manager at a Mazda dealership. I've been there just shy of 7 years and it's been a really fun challenging job. I am also the President of our local Big Brothers Big Sisters Agency. I have been involved with BBBS for 10+ years in various capacities. It's a great organization to donate my time to.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Dan's gone for an early morning golf game. So, Cookie and I have a rare morning home together alone.

What's brewing?

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte... decaf because I'm just shy of 7 months pregnant [editor's note: as of mid-September].

Any treats for you or Cookie on this occasion?

I picked up a fresh baked glazed cinnamon roll at the grocery store this morning.

How were you and Cookie united?

When the pups were little I would go out and visit with the litter. Right from the very beginning he would follow me around and try to climb in my lap. Dan and I had a sheltie at the time so we weren't really planning to get another dog. By the time the pups were eight weeks old and ready to go six of the eight had homes. My mom was getting a little anxious about having two spare pups so we decided to take one. I guess he picked me from the very beginning and it was fate that he was one of the last two left.

How did he get his name? Any aliases?

photo credit: Paws on the Run Pet Photography

Dan and I thought it would be funny if he had had a name from the TV show The Musters but didn't like any of the characters names so we settled on Cookie Munster. We also call him Cook, Cooker, or I call him Rookie Cookie. Even though we have been doing agility trials for nearly a year and a half he still trials like he's a Rookie!

Does Cookie have a favorite place to go for an outing?

He loves to go to my folks' cabin to hangout for the weekend with the whole Munster clan. It's a little over an hour away so we don't get there as much as I would like. In the city we live about a 15min walk from the Old Man River. There is a nice off leash park there. We walk down to the park on a regular basis and he gets to go swimming.

Squeaky-toy, ball, stick...?

We have a bunch of floaty toys that we take down to the river that he loves. He's a good swimmer and on a hot day he will spend ages retrieving toys! He also loves our socks and shoes. When he is excited he has to have something in his mouth. Dan and I are always running around the house looking for a matching shoe!

Who is Cookie's best pet-pal?

photo credit: Paws on the Run Pet Photography

He loves being with all the other Munsters. He gets along best with his brother Mocca. Sometimes his parents like to put him in his place in the pack! Chance is old and doesn't pay much attention to the youngsters. He also loves a little Sheltie (Catch) that we do agility with. We have babysat little Catch a few times and they have a blast together. My in-laws have a Sharpei that he really likes as well. He can be a bit of a jerk around new dogs so I have to really watch him at trials and the dog park. He shares our home with a Greater Sulphur Crested Cockatoo... they are definitely not BFF's. I would say they barely tolerate each other. Cookie, the bird dog, is afraid of her and she knows it.

What is Cookie's best quality?

He's a very sweet boy... he loves to cuddle, be petted, and just be with us. He's also a very loyal dog.

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

Between my job and volunteer work I am very busy. Cookie probably wishes I was home more. I am really looking forward to my year of maternity leave to be at home with Cookie and the baby. I'm sure Cookie will love it too!

photo credit: Paws on the Run Pet Photography

What is Cookie's proudest moment?

Not sure what I would say his proudest moment is... He does have a bad habit of stopping in the middle of an agility run in competition and taking a poop. I think he is a nervous pooper and the stress of the trial setting gets to him. Not his proudest moments but I can laugh about them now.

If Cookie could speak in the movie about your life, who should do his voice?

I had to ask Dan because I'm not much of a movie person... He said Nicholas Cage, not sure why. Personally I think he is more like Eddie Murphy because I think he is like Donkey in Shrek. He's loveable but silly and kind of scattered at times.

If Cookie could answer just one question in English, what would you ask him?

Do you actually like doing doggie sports or do you just go along with it because I like it?

Visit the Munster Madness blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Donna Cooner & Cassidy and Roxanne

Who is in the photo at right?

I’m in the middle and I’m Donna Cooner, a young adult author and professor in the School of Education at Colorado State University. On my right is Cassidy, my twelve year old lab, and on my left is Roxanne, my two year old chocolate lab.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

We are celebrating the release of my debut novel, Skinny (Scholastic, 2012) before I take Rox to doggie day camp. She’ll swim in the indoor pool and play with all her friends until it’s time for me to pick her up. Hopefully, she’ll be tired enough that her “goat dog” tendencies will not surface today.

What's brewing?

Keurig’s Starbucks breakfast blend.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

Not this morning, but later they will get the nightly treat of a banana. I’m not sure how it began, but Cassidy loves bananas. Every night we have a ritual where I hand her one from the kitchen countertop, she carries it up the stairs in her mouth, jumps on the bed and drops it into my hand to be peeled. Even though she is completely blind now, she manages to make trip to the bed with her banana every single night. Tonight she will be closely followed by Roxanne, who does nothing, but reaps the rewards of half the banana.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Roxanne and Cassidy were named after classic rock songs. Cassidy for a song by The Grateful Dead and Roxanne by Sting’s song by the same name. Roxanne is also nicknamed The Goat Dog.

How were you and your dogs united?

Cassidy was the first chocolate Labrador Retriever I’d had and she is such a sweetheart. Smart. Gentle. Easy to train. I absolutely fell in love with the breed. When she started to lose her sight and slow down with age, I thought I’d find another lab puppy to join her.

Even though Roxanne is the same breed, she was a totally different “child.” Funny and a little manic, she’s definitely the goat of the family.

Do your dogs contribute to your writing?

Roxanne is featured in my debut novel, Skinny. She’s great comic relief.

Rabbit, postman, cat....?

Unfortunately, Roxanne has a thing about pillows [photo left].

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

Roxanne loves all things that squeak. Balls are also her favorites, but she has not yet learned she is a Labrador retriever.

What is each dog's best quality?

Cassidy is incredibly smart. She understands almost anything you tell her or ask her. I often wonder at the breadth of her vocabulary.

Roxanne is a hugger. Always welcome after a long day.

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

Those mountains are there for a reason. Hike more, work less!

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

I would ask Roxanne, “What did the pillow ever do to you?”

Visit Donna Cooner's website, blog, and Facebook page.

--Marshal Zeringue