Peter Zheutlin & Jamba

Who is in the photo at right?

That’s me, Peter Zheutlin, lapsed (failed lawyer) and now writer, with Jamba, the third of our three rescue dogs from Louisiana. She a girl, about three years old we believe, and though her rescuers said she’s a Lab mix, truly, without DNA testing, it’s anyone’s guess. The way she always has her nose to the ground we suspect she’s part hound, like about 99% hound.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I do almost all of my writing at Starbucks where I rent a table for about $5 a day. With three dogs at home it’s practically impossible to get work done there. Now, I’d like to say this was take your dog to work day at Starbucks, but it wasn’t, so I brought my coffee home so Jamba and I could work on your questions together on the deck. Oh, and it’s always a decaf mocha latte with whip cream for me and water for her with a few liver treats.

How were you and Jamba united?

Funny you should ask. We were actually helping our older son, who had recently graduated from business school, find a rescue dog. To his credit, he quickly realized that Jamba was too energetic to be home in his apartment while he worked so she moved in with us and our other two rescue dogs, Albie (an alumnus of Coffee with a Canine) and Salina. Our rescue contact in Louisiana for Jamba was Keri Toth, the same person who helped us adopt Albie.

How did your dog get her name? Any aliases?

Our son went to Tulane University in New Orleans as an undergrad. And Jamba comes from Louisiana. So he named her after one of Louisiana’s most famous dishes, jambalaya. That’s her full name, Jambalaya, or Jamba for short. Of course our younger son started calling her “Juice,” as in Jamba Juice, so that also stuck.

Does Jamba do more to help or hinder your writing?

Both. She helps in that she provides a lot of good material. She’s a free spirit and a funny dog with a lot of zest for life. But she could play fetch with a tennis ball twenty-four hours a day and can be pretty insistent about it. It’s hard to say no.

Please tell us about your new book, Rescued: What Second Chance Dogs Teach Us About Living With Purpose, Loving With Abandon, and Finding Joy in the Little Things.

Rescued picks up the rescue story where my last book, Rescue Road, left off. Rescue Road took readers deep into the world of dog rescue, how it’s done and the remarkable people who do the really difficult work of saving dogs from terrible fates. That book ended with dogs being delivered into the arms of their new families. Rescued is about living with these second-chance dogs and the life lessons they teach us.

Cat, postman, rabbit...?

Albie and Salina are obsessed with critters. They’ll stare at a tree for hours after spotting a squirrel there. Jamba could care less. It’s all about the tennis ball. Albie and Salina also go nuts when the FedEx or UPS guy comes to the house. Jamba just barks to be part of the group. She has no idea why she’s barking except that the others are.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?



See above. She loves tennis balls more than Rafael Nadal. Her dream job would be to be a ball girl at the U.S. Open tennis championships.

Who is Jamba's best pet-pal?

A tennis ball. Any tennis ball. After that, Salina. They love to play
”defend the bed” in which they fight for control of our bed.

What is Jamba's best quality?


Innocence. In the fall when the leaves start to fall she will spend hours in the back yard chasing falling leaves. She looks like a child in a snow globe staring in wonder at what’s falling from the sky. I refer to her as the happiest camper in camp.

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

She thinks I’m perfect. It’s another of her admirable qualities. Please don’t ruin her fantasy.

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

Can we take a break from throwing the ball now?

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



Easy. Tina Fey. If Jamba could talk I think she’d be hilarious.

What advice would Jamba give if asked?

Get a ball, be happy that you have that ball, and forget the rest. Everything is just nonsense.

Visit Peter Zheutlin's website, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

Coffee with a Canine: Peter Zheutlin & Albie.

--Marshal Zeringue