Cheryl Isola & Emma Jean and Buddy James

Who is in the photo at right?

Hello, I am Cheryl Isola and I am the proud founder of Team Healthy and Happy. Our mission is to help busy, working moms find more balance in their lives through healthy habits (which helps themselves and their families). Our motto is "You must take care of yourself before you can care for others."

I invite you to visit my blog and read more about my story.

Since I was a little girl I have always been a huge dog lover, and treat my pups as members of the family. On the left is my beautiful Basset Hound, Emma Jean, age 13, and on the right is my handsome Labrador, Buddy James, age 12. They live with me, my husband, Jim, son, Erik (17), and daughter, Kelly (13).

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

We just finished a short walk in our neighborhood on this cool, brisk Spring Day. The dogs love to "chillax" with me out on the front porch. Buddy and Emma love to be outside.

What's brewing?

I am a drinking an ice cold Cafe Latte Shakeology shake, delicious to drink and loaded with nutrients.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

Buddy and Emma love to have their special "cookies", all natural, yummy treats from the Blue Dog Bakery.

How were you and Buddy and Emma united?

We adopted Emma on Valentine's Day in 2004, when she was around 1 year old from Tri-State Basset Rescue. She was found as a stray eating out of a trash can. We adopted Buddy at age 7 from Centre County Paws- his former owner had filed bankruptcy, was forced to move in with family, and would not allow dogs in their house. Buddy was not always good with other dogs so the workers at Paws were not sure how he would do around Emma. It was amazing- Buddy loved her right away. It was like he knew this was his ticket to have his "forever home". Emma and Buddy are quite an odd looking couple but they are happily bonded. Last Spring we had a scare with Buddy when his stomach turned. He was rushed to the emergency vet for surgery, and did not come home for 2 days. Emma was lost without Buddy, and spent the whole 2 days sleeping in his bed....soooo sweet!

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

We actually just kept their rescue names, but they each have a couple of nicknames. We call Buddy, "Good Boy", "Budrick", "Buddy James" and we call Emma, "Joan" which was derived from her middle name, Jean. When she is in trouble, we call her by her 1st and middle name, "Emma Jean" (and if you know anything about Bassets, she gets in trouble more than her mellow, yellow, brother, Buddy. Bassets can be stubborn, and Emma is no exception- she is quite the Diva.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Emma and Buddy both do not care for cats, and will bark at the postman and the UPS man. Buddy's bark is way worse than his bite. Emma is beginning to lose her hearing so she sleeps through some of the normal outside sounds these days. The hound in her still has an incredible sense of smell. Beware of leaving any small snacks in tote bags around the house- she will find them.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Buddy and Emma are not too much into toys any more, but back in the day, Emma loved to play tug-of-war with her rope, and Buddy loved to chase after a tennis ball in the yard. Buddy does have a brown pillow (used to be the one on our couch- ha!) that he holds in his mouth, like his security blanket. He also "retrieves" it for us when we return home, or before he goes out in the morning.

What is each dog's best quality?

Buddy is the protector and the guardian of our family. Emma is dependent and loyal. She includes herself as a "human" in all of our family activities. Emma would never want anyone to feel left out.

If Buddy and Emma could change one thing about you, what would it be?

They wish I would stay home with them everyday, all day!

If Buddy and Emma could answer only one question in English, what would you ask them?

You are both getting older now, what is on your "bucket list"?

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

I would definitely choose Jennifer Lopez to play the voice of Emma (since she could really nail her diva personality).

I think Will Ferrell, could play the voice of our Buddy. When he was Buddy the Elf he was kind and loving, just like our Buddy.

What advice would Buddy and Emma give if asked?

Family is everything- always stay with the pack!

Visit Cheryl Isola's Team Healthy and Happy blog.

--Marshal Zeringue