"Gypsy Boho" & Xi Shi Quan and Cha Bu Khan

Who is in the photo at right?

I am a 65 year old retired Mental Health Counselor. I am enjoying travel and camping in my RV with my pets. I named my RV "The Gypsy Boho Freedom Express" and go by the name Gypsy Boho on social media.

I have 2 female Shih Tzus (Xi Shi Quan and Cha Bu Khan) and 3 female cats that travel with me. The dogs are 4 and 3 years old and the cats are 5 years old.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I have coffee in bed when traveling in the RV and the pets are right beside me. When I'm at home I have coffee on the back porch while the doggies play in the back yard.

What's brewing?

I drink Maxwell House International Café - French Vanilla - sugar free decaffeinated. I have a large mug of coffee every morning. I drink half while on the porch and the rest with my breakfast later.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

My dogs get a treat in the afternoon only. Usually a Dental Stix to chew on for their teeth or a treat for hip and joints.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

I named Xi Shi Quan after the most beautiful woman in ancient China. Cha Bu Khan is named after the Empress of Kublai Khan.

How were you and your dogs united?

I searched online for a local breeder and found a website with photos of the breeding dogs. Xi Shi (aka Sky French) [photo right] was one of them and I asked if the breeder would consider selling her to me. She agreed and I brought her home. Two years later I wanted another dog as a companion for Xi Shi and went back to that same website and saw a photo of Cha Bu (aka Becca) and knew I had to have her. I asked if they would consider selling her to me and they said no. A year later I tried again and this time they said yes. They are not related but do look like sisters. While they were with this breeder - Xi Shi had only one litter of puppies and Cha Bu had two. They are now fixed and live a life of leisure.

Squirrel, postman, cat....alligator?

Xi Shi Quan loves to visit the neighbors who also have dogs but she prefers the humans. When someone comes to our door they have to pet the dogs before they can sit or say a word. My dogs love people, especially small children.

Cha Bu [photo left] loves to chase my 3 cats around the house. She just wants to play with them but they don't know that.

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

My Tzus love squeaky toys.

What is each dog's best quality?

Xi Shi Quan's best quality is her ability to understand commands and do what I ask her to do. She learns quickly and is a very disciplined dog.

Cha Bu Khan's best quality is her ability to show love not only by giving little wet kisses but with her eyes. I believe she will remain a perpetual puppy always - young and silly.

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

My dogs would change the rules that do not allow dogs on beaches and lakes at parks. They would probably also want to be able to enter stores and restaurants. After all, they think they are human.

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

Xi Shi Quan reminds me of a ditsy blonde much like Marilyn Monroe, oblivious to what's going on around her and marching to a different drummer.

Ch Bu Khan reminds me of a young Goldie Hawn, innocent, sweet and funny.

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

To Xi Shi Quan I would ask, "Do you love me?"

To Cha Bu Khan I would ask, "Are you happy?"

Visit "The Gypsy Boho Freedom Express" blog.

--Marshal Zeringue