A.J. & Bella

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm A.J., a thirty-something blogger with a pop (and pup) culture addiction. I moonlight (daylight?) as an attorney. The pup is Bella, my rescue pup. She's approximately 10 years old (we think) and is a Beagle-Jack Russell Terrier mix (we think).

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Bella's not exactly what you'd call portable - she has a bad case of motion sickness. Sometimes, even a rocking chair will prove too much for her delicate stomach. So, Bella and I like to enjoy our coffee snuggled up on the couch before we begin our day. It's our weekend routine.

What's brewing?

I'm pretty low key - just regular coffee with a touch of milk and one packet of Splenda will do the trick. I usually brew Dunkin' Donuts at home.

Any treats for you or Bella on this occasion?

My above comments regarding my pup's delicate tummy still apply - however, I might sneak her a bite of my cranberry muffin. (Seriously, muffins made with leftover cranberry sauce are a wonderful creation.)

How were you and Bella united?

After I finally graduated college and no longer lived on campus, adopting a dog was first on my list of priorities. I found Bella on Petfinder, sent the photo to my then-boyfriend (now husband), we went to meet her, and the rest is history.

How did she get her name? Any nicknames?

We discussed several possible names (including Gizmo, based on her coloring), but somehow Bella just seemed right. She has a ton of nicknames - to name just a few: Monster, Bella J. Puppington the Third, Puppyface, Bellaboo, Cave Dog, Bellington...

Who is Bella's best pet-pal?

Great question. Bella can be a bit like an old person shaking her fist at the neighbors to get off her lawn. She tolerates our various canine visitors, including our friends' dog Dozer and my dad's dog Roscoe.

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

Bella's happy to take a walk anywhere. However, what she really loves is our fenced in yard - for years, we lived in an apartment, which meant that off-leash adventures were generally limited to the dog park. She loves being able to run around outside in our yard and do her own thing now that we have a house.

One of your blogs features puppies, the other features cupcakes. Is there any overlap in these enthusiasms?

Not really - other than the fact that Bella camps out in the kitchen when I'm baking, hoping morsels will fall from the sky. (Perhaps in the future, I'll make some pupcakes and really tie them together.) Both blogs do allow me to have a creative outlet and give me a chance to explore my other passions, which are writing and photography.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

Bella will take one of each please! (As I mentioned, she has a "get off my lawn" mentality these days.)

Squeaky-toy, ball, stick...?

Squeaky toy or rope bone. Bella has never been very interested in balls, sticks, or rubber squeaky toys. She's very particular - she prefers rope bones or plush squeaky toys.

What is Bella's best quality?

Honestly, she's one of the most easygoing dogs I've ever met. Other than a brief flirtation with noise anxiety (thanks to some horrible neighbors who lived above us for a month) and her issues with thunderstorms, she's one cool customer. Although she's very routine-driven, she's highly adaptable as well. I need to take a page from her book sometimes.

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

She probably wishes I wasn't so Type A. She always gives me an annoyed look when I clean up the stuffing she so meticulously removed from her toys and scattered all over the floor. (However, she can be a bit Type A herself... she returns all of her toys to her chosen Toy Corner, and they aren't supposed to be anywhere else.)

What is Bella's proudest moment?

I think Bella's proudest moment was when we moved into our new house and she settled in right away. Prior to our move, we had to send her to puppy rehab (aka my in-laws) because our horrible neighbors were driving her crazy. I was worried she would be forever changed, but she overcame her anxiety and settled into the new house like she'd lived there for years. (Bella, on the other hand, is probably proudest of the time she figured out that "six o'clock" was code for dinner.)

If Bella could speak in a movie about your life, what actor should do her voice?

Kristen Schaal.

Visit the I Still Want More Puppies blog and Facebook page.

--Marshal Zeringue