Heather Gudenkauf & Lolo

Who is in the photo at right?

I’m Heather Gudenkauf, author and educator and this lovely girl (who, with no luck, we were trying to get to pose for a picture) is Lolo, a four-year-old German shorthair pointer.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

On weekends, Lolo and I have a ritual of hopping into the car and going to get a Diet Coke.

What's brewing?

For me, it’s a Diet Coke from a fountain with a skinny straw. Odd I know, but it’s the simple things in life that make us happy, right?

Any treats for you or Lolo on this occasion?


No treats for me today but I always keep a stash of dog treats in the car’s center console.


How did your dog get her name?

Lolo is named after Iowa native and Olympic athlete Lolo Jones.

Any aliases?

We call her Lo for short.

Back in 2010 you introduced us to the much-loved Maxine, also a German Shorthaired Pointer. Is there something about the breed that you really like, or can that be a coincidence?

It’s no coincidence and kind of a long story. Maxine, our mischievous German Shorthair Pointer, completed our family. If Maxine didn’t have the chance to run each day, destruction would follow. Shoes disappeared, food vanished from countertops, especially sticks of butter, and once we discovered a hole eaten out of the center of our mattress. But Maxine was also smart and loving. When one of our five was diagnosed with cancer, Maxine, once the bossy center of our household found herself on the sidelines. Between trips to the hospital, work and school, Maxine was often left alone for long stretches, but she was always there for whoever needed comfort.

We could cry into her soft fur when we became overwhelmed with the reality of the illness that changed our family. She would lie patiently at our side, head on our laps, when we had no energy to do anything else.

On a cold evening, ten-year-old Maxine died suddenly.

We were devastated. While we continued to feel the deep loss, we were mindful of the joy that having a pet brought us. One day I received an unexpected call from the man we bought Maxine from. He said he had a puppy if we wanted to meet her. We did.

The pup was returned to him by the hunter he sold her to because she was soft, scared of loud noises. She intermittently approached us and skittered away, but still, we fell in love. The man pulled out her papers and then brought out Maxine’s genealogy. He smiled broadly. The puppy’s mother was a littermate to Maxine. Maxine was this puppy’s aunt!

We named her Lolo and she seamlessly joined our clan. I imagine her Aunt Maxine, from the great beyond murmuring, That spot, next to the windows, is the best place to soak up the morning sun. Right there, in front of the fireplace is the perfect spot to lie down and chew on your bone. You can play in the woods, but don’t go too far (Lolo doesn’t). Don’t chew on shoes, they hate that (Lolo does). And I imagine that Maxine whispers to Lolo about us, her human family ~ all good, I hope.

Does Lolo do more to help or hinder your writing?

I love having Lolo nearby as I write. She looks out the window or snuggles up in a chair while I work at the computer. If I’m sitting for too long she reminds me that it’s time for a break and talks me into taking her for a walk.

Has Lolo inspired the creation of any fictional dogs?

I think there is a lot of Lolo in Stitch from Not A Sound. Like Stitch, Lolo definitely has a mind of her own, is loyal and loving.

Cat, postman, rabbit...?

Rabbits, squirrels, anything small and crittery Lolo will get her attention.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

All of the above!

Who is Lolo's best pet-pal?

Lolo loves to hang out with the neighbor dogs – two yellow labs named Roxie and Bo.

What is Lolo's best quality?

Lolo is sweet, snuggly and always up for an adventure.

If Lolo could change one thing about Iowans, what would it be?

I think Lolo would encourage we Iowans to take a little time off work and get outside and hike the beautiful trails that many people don’t realize that Iowa has.



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



I would ask Lolo what she thinks of us all – though I’m a little afraid to hear the answer!

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

What a fun question! I would say Alexis Bledel, Rory Gilmore of Gilmore Girls.

What advice would Lolo give if asked?

Wake up each morning ready to explore the world around you, run hard, rest when you need to.

Visit Heather Gudenkauf's website.

Coffee with a Canine: Heather Gudenkauf and Maxine.

--Marshal Zeringue

Claire LaZebnik & Harvey, Lula and Mabel

Who is in the photo at right?

I’m Claire LaZebnik, book author, mother of four, and wife to a Simpsons writer. I have three dogs: Harvey (a male yellow Lab—he’s thirteen), Mabel (a female boxer/German Shepherd mix—mature adult but I’m not sure how old), Lula (female small terrier mix, also mature adult). And there’s Juno the cat but she doesn’t get to join us for coffee today.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Thought I’d grab my laptop and work a bit at a table outside of Starbucks, while Lula hangs out in my lap. She likes to sit in laps. I’d say her entire being is focused on getting into someone’s lap. She’s not picky about whose, although she prefers mine to anyone else’s.

What's brewing?

Black iced Americano. The most refreshing drink of all. It’s like slightly bitter water. If I’m hot and thirsty, it satisfies me like nothing else. You need the perfect ratio of ice to coffee though—too much coffee and the ice melts and the drink goes warm, which is unpleasant, and too much ice, you only get a few sips of coffee before it’s gone.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

Starbucks sous vide egg whites—hot and smooth and delicious and as good for the pup as for me.

How were you and your dogs united?

We got Harvey, our old Lab, at a school fundraiser; I guess someone had asked his breeder to donate a puppy. Harvey was being passed from arm to arm and he was so calm and gentle, even my husband (who doesn’t always like dogs) was attracted to him. We’d both had a glass of wine, so I said, “Let’s bid on him,” and he said, “Sure—we’ll be outbid instantly so why not?” We bid and no one else raised a hand after. We were shocked. We thought tons of people would want him. We went home with him that night and our kids have never been more excited than when they discovered we had gained a dog while they were asleep.

Lula and Mabel are both rescues. My daughter fell in love with Lula when she was volunteering for a dog shelter and begged us to adopt her. Mabel’s also adopted but her story is long and complicated—I tell the whole thing in a book of essays and recipes I edited, called SisterWriterEaters. If anyone’s interested, it’s available on Amazon.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Harvey was named after the invisible rabbit Harvey from the play, because he was big and goofy and sweet. Lula is short for “Cholula,” my husband’s favorite hot sauce (we wanted him to like her). She had been named “Mandy” but we didn’t like that so we changed it. And Mabel came with her name—we liked it so we kept it.

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

Oh, hinder, definitely. They’re always barking at something and distracting me or needing walks or attention. Sometimes I have to leave the house and go to a coffee shop to write just to get anything done. On the plus side, they’re good for my health—I wouldn’t walk so much without them. And of course I love them.

Have any actual dogs ever inspired dogs in your fiction?

Yes, there’s a sweet big dog in one of my novels (If You Lived Here, You’d Be Home Now). She’s named “Eleanor Roosevelt.” I wish I’d named a dog that. It’s a great dog name. Anyway, she definitely has some Harvey-like characteristics.

Cat, postman, squirrel…?

Harvey loves the world and refuses to chase anything or anyone. We had ducks living in our pool and he did nothing to dissuade them. Lula only pays attention to humans and wants to sit in all their laps, but Mabel will chase and bark at absolutely everything. The poor UPS guy is terrified of her.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick…?

Ball. Harvey used to fetch for hours but he’s too old now to run. Lula doesn’t play with anything, and Mabel likes to run after balls but doesn’t bring them back.

Who is each dog's best pet-pal?

Harvey and Mabel are very close—they’re rarely far apart physically. Lula isn’t interested in other pets. Just people.

What is each dog's best quality?

Harvey is pure goodness. He would never hurt a fly. Our kitten used to swat at his tail and he would just let her.

Lula is like a living stuffed animal. She curls up with you when you sleep or work and makes every space feel cozy.

Mabel was probably abused in her previous life and is less overtly lovable, but the fact she has bonded to me and trusts me completely is really touching and meaningful.

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

Mabel would like all the friendly people who come near her to stop putting their hands in her face. People do it to introduce themselves—we’re all taught that with a new dog—but I think some owner must have hit her in the face because it’s scary to her.

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

I would ask Mabel about her previous life. I would ask Harvey whether anything hurts (he’s getting old and moving stiffly), and I would ask Lula why she likes to be held so much. And if the cat could speak, I would ask her about her nocturnal adventures.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life in which your dogs--and Juno the cat--could speak, who should voice them?

Harvey would be Morgan Freeman; Lula would be Kristen Schaal; Mabel would be Julianna Margulies; and Juno would be Scarlett Johansson.

What advice would your dogs give if asked?

Don’t step in the poop.

Visit Claire LaZebnik's website.

--Marshal Zeringue