M. Ann Vanderlaan & her dogs

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm Ann Vanderlaan, a former oilfield engineer and data management specialist. (My knees are to the left in the photo.) I studied Neurophysiology, Neuropsychology, and Veterinary Systems Physiology in graduate school. The common threads in this crazy patchwork are mathematics and a desire to know how things work in a crowd—takes more than one person to make a mob. I taught in courses in veterinary, medical, and nursing schools before moving on to jobs in the oil patch, advanced software development and data analytics.

The dogs in the photo (left to right) are:

Angel (4+ years at the time), male American Pit Bull Terrier mix; adopted October 2010.
Spike (3+ years), male Dogo Argentino/American bulldog mix; deaf, adopted June 2011.
R Kane (4+ years), male American Bully, adopted late July 2012.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

At the time the photo was taken in September 2012 I had recently added a new dog, Kane, to my pack. Almost all of our coffee moments are learning situations for my dogs. The occasion was a chance to socialize and reinforce behavior in an all-male pack of large dogs, which sometimes rescues are reluctant to consider as suitable homes for adoption or foster dogs.

The goals for this tête-à-tête were non-competitive sharing and “everybody gets a lick”, especially when there’s a stranger around to take pics and stir up the pot.

What's brewing?

The “Coffee with a Canine” moment started out with a nearly empty bottle of Starbucks Frappuccino and progressed to dipping the bottle neck in chicken broth—although Shiner Bock would have worked too. I prefer regular coffee from home-roasted beans (Kenya, Brazil, or Costa Rica) that I grind by hand before brewing or French-pressing.

How were you and your dogs united?

All of my current dogs are rescues. Since this picture was taken, I have adopted or fostered 3 more dogs, one of which recently died. So I currently have five bully breed dogs in my home.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

At the time I started adopting bully breeds I was first watching the Joss Whedon series Angel. Angel and Spike were perfectly matched to their characters in the series. I ran into difficulty when Kane joined the Thundertail Tribe. The obvious male character names available were Gunn, Lorne, and Lindsey (Pee-Pee demon was never a consideration). Since none of these seemed a good fit for a future therapy dog, I named Kane for the actor Christian Kane who played Lindsey.

All of my dogs except Spike have both call and “Don’t Mess With Me” (DFMW) names. Spike has a single hand sign.

Angel / Angelo (his rescue name).
Kane / R Kane – adopted. (The “R” stands for ‛raising’.)
Diva / Godiva (her rescue name) – adopted May 2014, deceased October 2016
Norma / Norma Jean (her rescue name) – hospice foster since January 2015
Fiona (her rescue name) / Madame –foster to adopt November 2016.

Do your dogs do more to help or hinder your writing?

Always help. Play breaks, walks, and vet visits are very little to pay for what they teach me about behavior and how they manipulate humans. They are quite entertaining and great snugglers if you don’t mind being stepped on by seventy pounds plus.

Have any actual dogs ever inspired dogs in your fiction?

Kane’s ongoing therapy efforts and nosework have informed all of the tracking and therapy-related content in Lone Wolf.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

The only one of those we like are the UPS and FedEx delivery people who come bearing food boxes from Chewy.com or Petflow.com. Nobody barks when they come on the porch except for Fiona who hasn’t learned the rules yet. Diva hated cats so much she would growl at a cat statue at the vet.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Jolly Ball Horse toys and elk antlers to chew—they are big dogs.

Who is each dog's best pet-pal?

Spike and Angel.
Kane and the ladies (Diva, Norma Jean, Fiona).

What is each dog's best quality?

Angel (loyalty), Spike (earnest and honest), Kane (loves to comfort people and adores children), Diva (attitude), Norma Jean (sweet), Fiona (best snuggler, and she doesn’t weigh seventy pounds)

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

BBQ. Texans barbecue with mesquite and Kane is extremely allergic to mesquite. I can’t even bring leftovers home from a restaurant.

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

When we move to the mountains will heavier sweaters be enough?

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

That would be Diva Iron Paw Thundertail. Although she wasn’t with me for long, Diva was the perfect blend of life as we live it, powering through obstacles, voicing her opinion, and running the Tribe. I was only privileged to have Diva in my pack for 2½ years, but she was a true heart dog. She was the only dog I’ve ever had that watched TV. Her favorite show was Vikings—I think it was the screams.

What advice would your dogs give if asked?

“Chill Mom, we got this” as they try to jump fences or chase frogs on the walls of the pond, and “Hurry up and feed us before we expire” if a meal is late.

Visit Ann Vanderlaan's Facebook page, and read more about Lone Wolf: An FBI K-9 Novel by Sara Driscoll (the pen name of Jen J. Danna and Ann Vanderlaan).

--Marshal Zeringue

Bailey Fabricius & Moo

Who is in the photo at right?

That's me, Bailey Fabricius, and next to me is Moo, my 11-month-old Frenchton. Moo was born completely deaf and, while this may seem like a burden, he has been a complete blessing to my life. I am a senior at Oglethorpe University, studying Journalism and English in hopes of becoming a journalist/novelist.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Every Sunday afternoon, Moo and I stop at Starbucks on our way to the dog park.

What's brewing?

For me: a vanilla soy latte (iced in the summer). For him: a puppucino, of course!

How were you and Moo united?

French Bulldogs are my absolute favorite breed. When I moved into my first one bedroom apartment, I realized I needed a puppy to fill the roommate void! After months of searching for a Frenchie, I came across a Frenchton breeder in Florida who had one puppy left, which was 8 week old Moo!

How did your dog get his name? Any aliases?

Moo is black and white so naturally, he looks like a cow! I call him Moo or Moocow all day long but of course he has no clue what his name is.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Cats are his absolute favorite. In fact, he thinks all animals are friends but a hissing and back-raising cat clearly means friend.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

He loves all three. His favorite type of toy however is a stuffed animal. I think he likes the company it provides while I'm in class.

Who is Moo's best pet-pal?

Moo's best pal is a black Lab/Greyhound mix named Luna. She is owned by my boyfriend's sister so Moo feels a sort of "cousinly" kind of love for her. He's pretty good at holding his own with the large breeds.

What is Moo's best quality?

Moo is very perceptive to moods. Although he can't hear, he always knows what I'm thinking and when it's time to act like a rambunctious puppy (most of the time), and when it's time to chill.

Where is Moo's favorite outdoor destination?

Other than the dog park, Moo loves to visit the barn where my horse Giggles lives. The fresh air and the many acres of land excites Moo like nothing else. He is still amazed by the size of his "large dog friends."

If Moo could change one thing about you, what would it be?

If Moo could change the fact that I ever leave the house without him, which honestly isn't that often, he definitely would. He is so incredibly spoiled and probably treated better than my children if I had any.

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

Do you like being an only dog-child or would you like a brother or sister?

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

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

What advice would Moo give if asked?

"Eat poop, it tastes good!"

--Marshal Zeringue

Teresa Toten & Cheever

Who is in the photo at right?

That’s me, Teresa Toten and Cheever Toten having our coffee date just this past week. I’m a Young Adult writer and Cheever is a 5 year old, male golden doodle.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I’d just finished my “ruff” draft of the novel I’m working on and Cheever wanted to get some points across before I started a full first draft.

What's brewing?

We only drink espresso. We’re tough like that.

Any treats for you or Cheever on this occasion?

No, it was a serious discussion.

How were you and Cheever united?

We bought him from a family as a puppy. Cheever was the runt of his litter and was seriously bullied by his siblings. He has issues but he is very cuddly snuggly.

How did your dog get his name? Any aliases?

I named him after my favourite writer (long dead) named John Cheever. He used to write short stories for the New Yorker that I read as a kid. I loved those stories even though I had no clue what they were about. John Cheever was an absolutely brilliant, alcoholic, misogynist, closeted gay man. I should maybe have thought that one through better. As I say Cheever has issues.

Does Cheever do more to help or hinder your writing?

He is generally helpful although he can be very judgy. I have trouble sitting still when I write, so I tend to get up and walk around the house, talking out passages and dialogue. Cheever follows me around and provides input.

Has Cheever inspired the creation of any fictional dogs?

Well, there you have it, the point of our coffee. In my last book, Beware That Girl, there is a dog named Bruce and he’s wonderful. Cheever loved that! However, in this book I’ve got a cat named Cicero. Cheever is not handling this well. I think I’m going to stick to my guns though... I’m pretty sure...

Cat, postman, squirrel…?

All of the above all of the time.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick…?

Cheever lives to destroy his toys and can never, ever, ever get enough of sticks, balls and rocks.

Who is Cheever's best pet-pal?

Cheever doesn’t much see the point of other dogs. He either thinks he’s better than they are or he's terrified of them. Except for Oscar a little Shih Tzu who used to live next door. They had a real bromance going. Cheever even shared his bones and favourite ball with Oscar when they had sleepovers. Alas Oscar moved away. Cheever has not recovered.

What is Cheever's best quality?

He loves to to be read to, he loves to love you and he’s intensely loyal. What more do you want from a guy?

If Cheever could change one thing about Torontonians, what would it be?

Everyone on the street should be carrying a ball or a stick and be read to throw it!

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

How do you understand time? When we leave for 5 minutes or five hours we get the same hysterical greeting. Is there a difference for you?

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

Alan Rickman. Okay so, it’ s not a great match, but I just want an excuse to hear Alan Rickman’s voice again.

What advice would Cheever give if asked?

Love and cuddles will fix everything.

Visit Teresa Toten's website.

The Page 69 Test: Beware That Girl.

Writers Read: Teresa Toten.

My Book, The Movie: Beware That Girl.

--Marshal Zeringue

Scott Jordan & Margaux

Who is in the photo at right?

That’s me, Scott Jordan, co-founder and CEO of a clothing company called SCOTTeVEST, and loving parent of 12-year old standard poodle Margaux. One of our other poodles Susie is trying to get in the shot too! Margaux loves to dance to Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke” (even though she can’t hear it) and go on hikes with my wife Laura, myself and Susie and our two other standard poodles.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I spend mornings with Margaux to give her perimeter tours of our house, which helps her become more familiar with her environment without her sight and hearing. I’m also a huge coffee addict so use this time to get in 2-3 cups before I start my work day!

What's brewing?

Blue Bottle coffee in my awesome automated coffee machine! It can make any coffee drink you want or need. I could go on all day about this, it’s my favorite thing in our kitchen.

Any treats for you or Margaux on this occasion?

During work days, Margaux hangs out on the 3rd floor with Laura where she has tons of bones, rawhides and other treats. Her favorite treat is the Idaho Lamb bones that my wife Laura gets for her.

How were you and Margaux united?

On Laura’s birthday 11 years ago, she saw an ad in a local paper for apricot poodle in Pocatello, ID. So, we dropped everything we were doing to go and adopt her!

How did your dog get her name? Any aliases?

We always have liked French names, so decided on Margaux on the drive to go adopt her. Her only alias is “The Awesome and Amazing Margaux” thanks to her inspiring nature and persistent attitude to learn something new every day.

Please tell us about Margaux's health issues.

Three years ago, Margaux was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease (diffuse pyogranulomatous inflammation) which started attacking her body – starting with her paw. When that cleared up, it began affecting her eye and her veterinarian recommended it be removed. The other eye followed soon after, and to make matters worse, our vet found she had lost her hearing on August 14. You can follow Margaux’s entire journey on her Facebook page here.

How have your other poodles adapted to Margaux's loss of sight and hearing? Do they have complete awareness of her condition?

Our other poodles help out all the time! On walks, they began to help guide her by a leash, but soon enough Margaux was strong and confident to start leading them. Other than those times, it’s hard to tell whether they know fully or not as they generally act just sisters and don’t treat her any different! They play around her, bump into her and steal her bones (like they always have).

Who is Margaux's best pet-pal?

Our standard poodle Chloe because they’ve been together the longest.

What is Margaux's best quality?

Her smile! No matter what life hands Margaux, she has never lost her smile and fun-loving attitude.

If Margaux could change one thing about Idahoans, what would it be?

Margaux loves it in Idaho and all the people she meets, so this is a hard one. Maybe for them to eat less potatoes?

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

Do you follow me on Facebook?

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

Hmm, that’s a hard one -- I’d say Meryl Streep or Michelle Obama.

What advice would Margaux give if asked?

Always keep your head up and your smile bright! Take life moment by moment as you never know what will happen.

Follow Margaux’s entire journey on Facebook and visit the SCOTTeVEST website.

--Marshal Zeringue