Davida Breier with Alex George, Vera, and Javier. I am a debut novelist who also works in publishing by day as a sales director and distributor at Johns Hopkins University Press. Alex George (m) is an 9yo shih tzu-mix, Vera (f) is a 5yo chihuahua?-mix, and Javier (m) is a 10-15yo chihuahua mix. All are rescues.
What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?
The house was finally quiet and I made a cup after they had their breakfast.
What's brewing?
Cafe Bustelo with soy milk.
Any treats for you or the dogs on this occasion?
It is post-breakfast. We haven't worked up to treats yet.
How were you and the dogs united?
My then 8yo son and mother went to the county shelter in 2014. He noticed a small, terrified dog. He said he knew the dog needed more help than the friendly dog in the cage next door. They brought Alex George home that day.
Javier was adopted from Doodle Dogs Rescue in the spring of 2017. He had been in a high-kill shelter in the south and was part of a rescue network that pulls dogs from shelters, fosters, and finds homes. We had no idea how old he was then but guessed at around 10-12. He was missing most of his teeth and part of his jaw due to dental neglect.
Vera was adopted from the same rescue in the fall of 2017. She had been a stray in rural Texas and needed surgery for a minor eye disorder. She was scared of everything and her friendship with Alex George helped bring her some confidence.
How did Alex George, Vera, and Javier get their names? Any aliases?
Alex was his shelter name and my son wanted to name him after Boy George. Somehow he became Alex George. Vera just looked like a Vera. Javier was his rescue name and it fit him.
Do your dogs do more to help or hinder your writing?
They help. Alex George and Vera are my constant companions and were nearby for almost every word of the novel.
Have your dogs inspired you to create any fictional canines?
Yes. In fact, there wasn't supposed to be a dog in my novel, but one showed up and demanded to be let into the novel. Once I did, I realized how much he was needed.
Cat, postman, squirrel...?
Postal carrier and UPS driver. Although, Alex George has a weird issue with our tortoise and bothers her every chance he gets.
Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?
Nylabone original flavor small chew bones.
Who are your dogs' best pet-pals?
Alex George and Vera.
Javier and Vera.
Vera is everyone's friend.
What is each dog's best quality?
Javier is a very comforting dog. He seems to know when people are sad or when one of the animals is sick.
Vera wants to be your best best friend.
Alex George's personality is quirky and demanding and I enjoy that about him.
If Alex George, Vera, and Javier could change one thing about Marylanders, what would it be?
I suspect they would like people to stop setting off fireworks. And maybe learn to use their turn signals.
If your dogs could answer only one question in English, what would you ask them?
Are you in any pain?
If Hollywood made a movie about your life in which your dogs could speak, who should voice them?
Alex George = John Malkovich.
Javier = Ricardo Montalbán.
Vera = Holly Hunter.
What advice would your dogs give if asked?
They would probably tell me to calm down and go sit on the couch.
Visit Davida Breier's website.
--Marshal Zeringue
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Vera's face definitely suggests she'd be friends with most. Very cute trio.
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