Sanae Suzuki & Leo, Oro, Kula, Bubu, Lumi, and Happy

Who is in the photo at right?

My name is Sanae Suzuki, Bach Flower Registered Practitioner with the Bach Centre, UK, Whole Health Macrobiotic Nutrition Educator, Counselor for People and Pets, Co-owner of Seed Kitchen in Venice Beach and recent author of Healthy Happy Pooch.

The pooches are Leo, Oro, Kula, Bubu, Lumi, and Happy.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

The occasion is the release of Healthy Happy Pooch.

What's brewing?

My homemade Lavender and Lemon Balm Tea.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

The dogs are snacking on sweet potato cookies or kale cookies while I munch on Seed Kitchen's original gluten-free chocolate chip cookies.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Originally they were all named after different countries gold. For instance, Kula is Hawaiian gold, Oro is Italian and Spanish gold. Once Leo came, we thought he was a handsome boy like Leonardo Dicaprio, hence the name Leo. BuBu was so cute, so that name just stuck. Lumi is from the French word Lumiere...the French Light. The last one, Happy is extremely squeaky and happy, so we named her Happy!

How were you and your dogs united?

I once saw a photo of Leo, with a big smile and felt a connection that I adopted him from the shelter. From there he fell in love with Oro. I was involved with PAWS team, who raises dogs for disabled people and had received a puppy, Kudha. All of my dogs had made direct eye contact with us and that is how we knew they were our dogs.

Cat, postman, squirrel....?

Strangers coming onto our property, squirrels, and people they don't like.

Squeaky-toy, ball, stick...?

Favorite toys are soft and squeaky-toys are their favorites. They also enjoy playing with balls and sticks when outdoors.

Where is your dogs' favorite outdoor destination?

Each of our dogs love Manzanita Lake in North Fork near Yosemeti National Park where they can swim and dive off of rocks.

Who are your dogs' best pet-pals?

Their best pet-pals are Yogi; when we go to North Fork he loves chasing all of the girl dogs.

What is each dog's best quality?

Leo is a lover-boy, he loves many people and gives everyone a big smile and is really faithful to Oro.
Oro is a certified K-9 good citizen training to be a search dog. She is a very thorough and careful and detailed orientated.
Kula is very gentle, obedient, service and therapy dog that receives directions very well. Also, a very good leader.
Bubu is very active boy and is a great agility dog. He has never missed jumping over a hurdle during his classes.
Lumi is very alert, smart and won't take BS from anyone. (Example: if we promise to take her out for a walk, she will not let us forget) She is also in training to be a K-9 Good Citizen.
Happy is our baby who loves to be around with us and enjoys watching good, funny movies.

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

If my dogs could change one thing, it would be to open a dog-restaurant, but also humans could eat there as well.

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

Leo - Leonardo Dicaprio
Oro - Carrie Underwood
Kula - Meryl Streep
Bubu - Bradley Cooper
Lumi - Sandra Bullock
Happy - Jessica Alba

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

What's for dinner?

What advice would your dogs give if asked?

Don't do so much and have fun.

About Healthy Happy Pooch:

Healthy Happy Pooch is the remarkable story of a woman and her dogs. Over the last 20 years, Sanae Suzuki has pulled herself back from the brink of death — twice—by using a healthy diet and a holistic lifestyle approach. During these periods of brave struggle, she pondered the idea that what was working for her might just work for her pooches. By feeding them human-grade, plant-based foods, she saw them recover from illness, become more vibrant, and live to ripe, old ages. Healthy Happy Pooch is their story.

Visit the Healthy Happy Pooch website and Facebook page.

--Marshal Zeringue