Evie Wyld & Juno and Hebe

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm Evie Wyld. I run a bookshop in Peckham, London, called Review, and have also written two novels, After the Fire, a Still Small Voice and All the Birds, Singing. The silver hairy dog is Juno. She is a 14 year old lurcher. The blonde one is her daughter, Hebe who is 7.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I have been camping with the dogs for a week in the Isle of Wight. They actually belong to my mother, who has gone away for a bit, so I’m trying to distract them as much as possible. We always have a coffee in the morning.

What's brewing?

Very strong Monmouth Colombian from a cafetiere. Black, no sugar.

Any treats for you or the dogs on this occasion?

The dogs have just had their breakfast which was left over spaghetti - Juno’s favorite, and I will make mine after my coffee. Probably bacon and eggs.

How were the dogs and your mother united?

My mother and father brought Juno home as a puppy when I when to university.

Seven years ago Juno had puppies with a whippet called Timothy, and we kept Hebe.

How did the dogs get their names? Any aliases?

My father was keen on using classical names - he was an art dealer so had to keep things beautiful. Juno is the goddess of the moon and also of female sexuality, which suits her very well. Hebe is the daughter of Juno, in goddess terms, as well as dog terms.

Are the dogs happy campers?

They are, mainly because they get to sleep under the covers with me. Hebe in particular likes to be spooned.

Have you created any fictional dogs that have found their way into print?

Yes - my latest book has a fairly central character who is a boarder collie. He is called Dog.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Lots of squirrels down. Rabbits too. Occasionally a fox, which feels like cannibalistic.

So far no dead cats, which is good.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

At home, Hebe has a soft toy beaver, which my father enjoyed making rude jokes about.

Juno has a stuffed cabbage. Not sure how that came about.

When not camping, do the dogs have a favorite place to go for outings?

They get walked twice a day in two different parks in South London, but to be honest, they aren’t that bothered about either of them. They like being on the Isle of Wight on the Tennyson Trail.

What is each dog's best quality?

Juno is extremely funny.

Hebe is very cuddly.

If the dogs could change one thing about Londoners, what would it be?

All the men would turn into women.

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

Why did you eat that?

If Hollywood made a movie about your life in which the dogs could speak, who should voice them?

If death was not a problem, Juno would be Kenneth Williams and Hebe would be Diana Dors.

Follow Evie Wyld on Twitter and visit her website.

The Page 69 Test: After the Fire, a Still Small Voice.

Learn more about All the Birds, Singing.

--Marshal Zeringue