Tiffany & Cocoa

Who is in the photo at right?

Hi there! My name is Tiffany and this is my best bud, Cocoa. I'm a professional Pastry Chef and food writer and I run the website Parsnips and Pastries.

Cocoa is a Tri-Color Pembroke Welsh Corgi. She's 5 years old. She loves cheese, long walks, and rolling in the grass.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

We're hiking the Multnomah Falls, a gorgeous waterfall here in Portland, OR. There's a great little stand on the bottom with homemade fudge and coffee. We deserved a treat!

What's brewing?

An Almond Milk Latte.

Any treats for you or Cocoa on this occasion?

A piece of homemade maple fudge for me, a few dried liver treats for Cocoa.

How were you and Cocoa united?

Cocoa and I were united in San Diego! She is my first dog, and she was actually a wedding gift to me. When I was handed her, she peed on me, and I knew it was love at first sight.

How did your dog get her name? Any aliases?

We named her Cocoa because of her beautiful dark chocolate color and markings. And also because I'm a Pastry Chef. Cocoa has way too many aliases to name. A few we call her is Bunny, Buns, Cocoa Sandwiches, Coco Puff, Stinky, etc.

Does Cocoa have a role at Parsnips & Pastries HQ?

She does! She eats all of the scraps that fall on the floor. She also sits next to me and demands pets whenever I really need to get work done.

If I'm making something healthy and dog-approved, she's a good taste tester, too. Although, there really isn't much that she won't eat...

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

All 3. These are her three prime enemies.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

She's never been interested in balls or playing catch. She loves squeaky toys and soft, plush toys.

Who is Cocoa's best pet-pal?

Sadly, her best pet pals don't live near us anymore. But she does have the biggest crush on a cute little Pomeranian that lives in our apartment building. His name is Chunk and he doesn't give Cocoa the time of day!

What is Cocoa's best quality?

She is hilarious. She makes the funniest faces and I swear she has more personality than most people I know.

If Cocoa could change one thing about Oregonians, what would it be?

Maybe not so much about Oregonians, but more about Oregon itself. I'm sure she would love if it didn't rain so much. We usually just brave the rain and go for walks anyway, but she really is a princess and doesn't like when her paws get muddy!

If Cocoa could answer only one question in English, what would you ask her?

Are you happy? I really strive to make my dog happy and to give her the best life imaginable.

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

Oh gosh... definitely someone super fancy and probably British. Helen Mirren! Yes, definitely Helen Mirren.

What advice would Cocoa give if asked?

"Humans, you need to feed me more cheese. You're very stingy with the cheese. You know it's my favorite thing. More cheese!"

Visit the Parsnips and Pastries website.

--Marshal Zeringue