Steph Post & Juno

Who is in the photo at right?

This is me, Steph Post, and Juno! I am an author and high school teacher and Juno is a two year old mutt. I call her a “fichippet,” as in she’s a Feist, Chihuahua and Whippet mix. She’s absolutely nuts...

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Juno and I have coffee every morning out on the back patio. I do my best to wake up and she makes sure to run off any early-rising squirrels. Juno doesn’t have the patience to go hang out at the local coffee shop.

What's brewing?

I’m a straight black coffee kinda’ girl.

Any treats for you or Juno on this occasion?

Juno is honestly more interested in the squirrels than any kind of treat. And I’m the same way about the coffee.

How were you and Juno united?

There’s a whole amazing story behind how Juno came into my life, but I’ll try to keep it short and sweet. One of my dogs died unexpectedly this past June and I was completely devastated. I mean, just absolutely heartsick. Skipping to the good part- I wound up at an animal shelter two counties over, to look at adopting another dog, and there was Juno. She was extremely sick with kennel cough, but there was no way I was leaving the place without her. I like to think that we were brought together to heal one another and I think we were able to do so.

How did your dog get her name? Any aliases?

Juno had a different name at the shelter that didn’t fit her. I’m very into mythology (I have a chicken named Freyja, after the Norse goddess, for example) and so she’s named for the Roman goddess. She was also adopted on the last day of June, so the name fit perfectly.

Does Juno do more to help or hinder your writing?

I think she tries to help. She likes to be in my lap when I’m writing, but this isn’t always the most comfortable thing for both of us. At least once a writing session, though, Juno will come racing into the room, take a flying leap into my lap and put her paws on the keyboard.

Has Juno inspired the creation of any fictional dogs?

No. For someone who loves dogs as much as I do, I actually make a point to keep dogs out of my novels. A dog in a story makes readers nervous- they’re always wondering if it’s going to die- and so I try to just avoid the possibility altogether.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Squirrel. Juno is obsessed, I mean obsessed, with squirrels.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

If there are no squirrels around for her to chase, she’s definitely chomp on a squeaky toy by herself. But good luck throwing her a ball or a stick. She’ll just look at you like you’re crazy.

Where is Juno's favorite outdoor destination?

Anywhere where there could possibly be squirrels. I took her to the beach for the first time this morning and she was not impressed. At all.

Who is Juno's best pet-pal?

Her big brother Vito, my sixteen-year-old Jack Russel Terrier. He’s mostly blind and deaf, so he can’t really play with her, but they love to curl up together at night.

What is Juno's best quality?

She absolutely loves people. With all the dogs I’ve ever had, she’s definitely the sweetest.

If Juno could change one thing about Floridians, what would it be?

Our need (around here anyway) to shoot off as many obnoxious fireworks as possible to mark every single occasion.

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

What can I do to make you happier? (Yes, I’m not going to lie, she absolutely rules me.)

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

Oh wow. I just don’t think of dogs as having actual speaking voices. Maybe Gal Gadot? She’s a little dog, but I imagine she’d have a pretty strong voice.

Visit Steph Post's website and learn about her new novel, Walk in the Fire.

My Book, The Movie: Lightwood.

The Page 69 Test: Lightwood.

--Marshal Zeringue