Joe and Cathy Connolly & Booth and Bailey

Whose in the photo at the right?

We are Joe and Cathy Connolly — both of us are retired from the Michigan Department of Natural Resource, Parks and Recreation Division.

This is a photo of us with our male German Shepherd Booth, who is 2-1/2 years old, and Bailey, our Brussels Griffon who is 10-1/2 years old.

Booth and Bailey really enjoy us being retired, more road trips for them and no time spent home alone while we're away at work.

Booth gets more time to play ball and run in the woods and Bailey gets more gardening time in.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a canine?

Planning out our play day with our furry kids.

What's brewing?

A big pot of strong French Roast coffee.

Any treats for you and your dogs on this occasion?

Oh Yes!! It is a must in this house, we all have "Honey Nut Cheerios" to start our day.

How did your dogs get their names?

Booth was named after the American novelist Booth Tarkington. He has many aliases some of which are Boopity Booth, and Goofy Boothy. Bailey got her name while we were driving 150 miles home with her and we were trying to figure out a cute name for her. Coming up to an overpass "Bailey Rd." we looked at each other and said Bailey! Then we asked her what she thought and she liked it! Her name was Wilma; she wasn't too fond of that. She too has many aliases, such as Monkey and Bay-Wee-Kins.

How were you and your dogs united?

Bailey. Cathy wanted a Monkey: we thought that wasn't such a good idea so we started looking for a small dog and ended up looking for a Brussels Griffon. When we found her she was 11 months old and had already had 5 homes — yes, 5 homes. The poor baby. She still, after 10 years, gets very worried going in the car for fear that she may be again going to another home and that we will leave her. Because of that we stay with her, for instance, when getting her teeth cleaned at the vets. When she wakes up her mom is holding her. Bless our vet for allowing this constant companionship.

We have always had German Shepherds. After the loss of our "Logan" and the big empty space that left in our house we naturally needed another one. Which always leads to a search of reputable breeders. After finding one it then becomes which child to pick. We chose Booth because of his independence: he didn't care what his littermates were doing, he was grazing grass!

Tell us briefly about your book "If I Should Die Before My Dog__".

Oftentimes when we consider the need to put our personal affairs in order we’re not entirely sure where to begin when we come to one subject near and dear to our hearts: our dogs. We worry and want them to have the best possible future—but where to begin? Theirs is a special case, one that doesn’t quite fit into any of the usual categories. Now, those worries and concerns can be alleviated in one easy-to-use volume that can give you peace of mind and your four-legged friend a comfortable, prepared-for future.

Our book is a comprehensive and interactive list of questions and information-gathering techniques; it will illuminate and help you capture all of the habits and personal information about your pet. It will supply a holistic, well-rounded picture of your dog that gives their new owner the information they need to provide a seamless transition with the utmost care and comfort. From nicknames to ancestry and medical history to microchip information, health insurance and much more, it explores the totality of your dog’s world that gives his or her new family all they need, from day one, to nurture and care for your loved one’s emotional and physical needs.

It is a helpful guide to creating a happy, loving life for your dog should unfortunate circumstances render you incapable of doing so, this book is as helpful as it is comforting. Full of intimate, specific details, it covers every aspect of your pet’s life with concern and care. Providing for the future of your dog while giving you peace of mind, “If I Should Die Before My Dog…” is your chance to revel in the joy of your dog’s life while giving him or her sound, love-filled future.

Rabbit, postman, cat?

For Bailey, none of the above — she spends her time outside "yelling" at Booth and sniffing the entire yard to find out who, what and when anything was in her yard.

Booth on the other hand, loves the postman and jumping into the UPS truck to check out what he has to deliver! Squirrels, birds anything that moves, he loves the chase but always stops short of the catch.

Squeaky toy, ball stick?

Bailey — tiny sticks and balls; for Booth — his favorite is his horse size Jolly Ball.

What's each dog's best quality?

Bailey — it's her unconditional love and devotion.

And for our boy Booth it is definitely his sense of humor!

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

When getting a pet to realize that it should be a "forever commitment" — one that lasts an animal's lifetime!

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

Bailey — Sharon Osbourne, she's funny and has a true deep love for animals and she will argue with anyone if she finds it necessary.

Booth — Nick Nolte, he's a big lumbering kind of guy with a great sense of humor.

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

Bailey — what can we do to convince you that we would never give you away?

Booth — what makes you think we have mental telepathy? Because he just walks up and puts his big head on the table and stares at us as if we know what he's asking.

Visit the “If I Should Die Before My Dog…” website, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

--Marshal Zeringue