That’s me, Jessica Anya Blau, in my apartment in New York. I’m holding Baby, the 3-year old Yorkie-Poo. I write books and screenplays and I carry Baby around. Baby likes to have fur-to-skin contact as often as possible. She also likes to be carried to the park but then will walk on her own once we get there.
What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?
Today, we’re celebrating the sunshine. We started our day at PQ in Central Park overlooking the Sheep Meadow. There are no sheep but there are people sunbathing and playing frisbee. Baby thinks the people are just as interesting as sheep might be.
What's brewing?
We each ordered a large almond milk latte, which was served in a bowl, the French way. I had a second one, so there’s about a gallon of milky coffee sloshing in my stomach now. Baby showed more restraint and stopped after one.
Any treats for you or Baby on this occasion?
A baguette sliced the long way, slathered with salty butter. Baby agrees with me: great coffee, fresh bread, and salty butter are the three ingredients for the best breakfast on Earth.
How were you and Baby united?
My daughter, Ella, found Baby online. She called the people who had her and said, “Hold that dog!” Ella and I ran to the subway and took a train to Chelsea. We ran off the subway and Ella called again, shouting into the phone as thump-thump-thumped down crowded sidewalk, “Hold that dog.” We
both fell in love with Baby because she was so damn cute. Also, we could see that she has a pure and loving heart.
How did your dog get her name? Any aliases?
Our first name for her was Wednesday. Then Ella said, “Can I change her name to Peaches?” I said, “Yes.” About two days later, Ella said, “Can I change her name to Baby?” I said, “Yes.” About two days later Ella wanted to change her name to something else, Turkey, or Brussel Sprout. I said, “No, stop, her name is Baby.”
Does Baby do more to help or hinder your writing?
Baby sits on my lap while I’m writing and keeps me warm. I like being warm. .
Are there any fictional canines in your new novel?
Ooooooh, there aren’t! There should be. I love dogs; they should be everywhere, including in my novels.
Cat, postman, squirrel…?
Baby is a friend to all cats. She likes people in uniforms and adores the doormen and door women in our building. She likes airline pilots and ran to one at the airport recently with bouncing joy! He picked her up and she kissed him all over and then he asked if he could take her to Starbucks. I said yes. As we were walking there, I realized she thought he was a doorman because the uniform was similar. She plays chase with squirrels but whenever she encounters a slow or dopey one, she slows down and lets it get away.
Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?
Baby loves a good ball. But it has to be a particular kind of ball, just the right mouthful. And she appreciates a good, strong, bounce.
I see Baby recently had a star turn in a music video. Does Baby have more film work in her future?
Baby loved being in that music video! (She shows up around minute 3:40.) She wants me to be a stage-mother and take her out to auditions, manage her social media, schmooze the right people, talk her up at parties, etc. But, I’d prefer she had a normal, healthy, park-centered Baby-hood.
Who is Baby's best pet-pal?
She loves Olive who is a corgi. Olive climbs big rocks in Central Park (like a goat) and Baby watches and then runs up after her and brings her down.
What is Baby's best quality?
Her sense of humor and her desire to snuggle.
If Baby could change one thing about New Yorkers, what would it be?
She would not allow children to wear bike helmets with tutus in Central Park. To Baby, there is nothing more terrifying than a kid in a helmet and a tutu. You would be surprised how many of those helmuted-tutu-covered creatures you see in the park on the weekends!
If Baby could answer only one question in English, what would you ask her?
Where is the joy in sniffing other dogs' butts? What do you get out of that stinky interaction?
If Hollywood made a movie about your life in which Baby could speak, who should voice her?
Jenny Slate. In fact, I was watching a movie she was in the other night and I walked out of the room for a minute, the TV still on. When Jenny Slate started speaking I thought that Baby was talking to me. I ran back into the room and was disappointed to see it was just the TV.
What advice would Baby give if asked?
She would explain how to figure out who’s a dog person and who isn’t. Baby approaches strangers in the park and jumps on their laps and kisses them. No one has ever done anything but laugh and kiss her back. She is obviously an excellent judge of character.
Visit Jessica Anya Blau's website, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
Coffee with a Canine: Jessica Anya Blau and Pippa.
The Page 69 Test: The Wonder Bread Summer.
My Book, The Movie: The Wonder Bread Summer.
The Page 69 Test: The Trouble with Lexie.
My Book, The Movie: The Trouble with Lexie.
Writers Read: Jessica Anya Blau (June 2016).
The Page 69 Test: Mary Jane.
Q&A with Jessica Anya Blau.
--Marshal Zeringue
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