Jan Devereux & Eddie

Who is in the photo at right?

This is a photo of me with Eddie and his sister Riley. They’re cockapoo littermates, who will celebrate their 4th birthday on April 15 (Tax Day!). Riley lives down the street with my good friend Liz.

I’m Jan Devereux. I blog as Cambridge Canine and am running for city council in Cambridge, MA.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

When I visit my favorite local bookstore, Porter Square Books, I like to get a soy latte at Café Zing, which is right inside the store. Eddie was featured in the bookstore’s 2013 calendar [photo below left]–they took his photo in their politics section, so they made him Mr. November. Sales of the calendar benefited a local animal shelter.

What's brewing?

Fair-trade organic coffee from Equal Exchange.

Any treats for you or Eddie on this occasion?

I like Café Zing’s baked goods, but Eddie has allergies so he’s on a grain-free diet.

How did Eddie get his name?

Edward is a family name: my grandfather, father, uncle, brothers (both of them!), and a nephew have Edward in their names. But Eddie is actually named after his predecessor Teddy – my husband and I figured we’d probably call him “Teddy” by mistake, and it would be less confusing for the puppy if the names rhymed. Our next dog will be named Freddy.

Squirrel, postman, cat....?

Eddie got schooled by our cats from Day One, so he knows better, but he always barks when he hears the mailperson on the front porch.

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

Eddie is all about sticks. He even tries to sneak bits of mulch into the house. Balls, what’s the point?

That was some wicked snowstorm that hit your fair city recently. I know it freaked out the country; how did Eddie cope with it?

This winter has been one for the record books. Eddie normally enjoys rolling in the snow, but we’ve had so much (about 8 feet) that the plowed drifts along the sidewalks are too high for him to climb. It’s like walking through a luge course.

You're running for city council in Cambridge; does Eddie have a campaign role?

I’m counting on Eddie to help me get out the canine vote.

Where is Eddie's favorite outdoor destination?

Fresh Pond Reservation is very near our house. Our regular walk is a 2-mile circuit around the pond, which is Cambridge’s water reservoir. It’s beautiful in all seasons, especially autumn. There’s a smaller pond on the trail that’s not part of the reservoir, where dogs can swim.

What is Eddie's best quality?

Loyalty. He’s very protective of me. Sometimes a little too protective….

If Eddie could change one thing about Cantabrigians, what would it be?

Our neighborhood shares a zip code with Harvard University, and our village market sells a t-shirt that reads, “02138: The world’s most opinionated zip code.” Cambridge residents have strong opinions, for sure, and many great ideas, but sometimes we could do a better job of listening to each other.

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

Eddie Redmayne, of course! Everything sounds better in British English!

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

Do I have your #1 vote?

Visit the Cambridge Canine blog, and Jan Devereux's website, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

--Marshal Zeringue