Leslie Connor & Atticus and Broomis

Who are in the photos at right and below?

That human is me; I’m Leslie Connor and I am a children’s book author.

The blonde canine is Broomis. He’s a shepherd mix and he’s about eight years old. The “cookies and cream” dog is Atticus. He is seven. Until very recently, we thought he was a Border Collie/Great Pyrenes mix. But a doggie DNA test, says he’s neither! He’s a super-mix—Golden Retriever, Labrador, Australian Cattle Dog, with traces of Terrier and Guard breeds. (We figure all of this means he can do anything.)

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

We are back from our walk and today is another writing day. It’s just what we do: daydream along the trail, stoke the fire, fill the mug, and get to work.

What's brewing?

It’s tea—Earl Grey, loose leaf, which we order in bulk from Frontier. It’s brewed here at out house in a stylish handmade pottery teapot, which was a gift from a dear friend. (I happen to know that she purchased it at the Blue Hill Farmers’ Market in the great state of Maine.)

Any treats for you or Atticus and Broomis on this occasion?

They get wheat-free treats while the tea brews.

I might be having a chunk of dark chocolate before noon. Maybe. It happens.

How were you and your dogs united?

We adopted one another. Broomis came first, one Valentine’s Day at a big rescue event for dogs from Tennessee. One year later, I found Atticus on Petfinder. He came from Kentucky.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

We landed on the name Broomis after a few other names including, Pancake, Chickpea, and Sun Bear, failed somehow. (I know. What were we thinking?) Broomis was the name of a “roly-poly” bear in an old children’s song—spelled Brumus, actually—but we changed that because our guy is the color of broom straw. Atticus was named by his foster-family. We thought he’d been through enough changes in his young life already (picked up running in the wilds of Kentucky…) so we kept it. We like it, but he’s really more of a Scout.

Aliases? You bet. Nicknames happen endlessly at our house. Broomis is also known as: Broo, Broo-bacah-soda crackah, Hummus (oh, that chickpea thing), Hummy-ding and Hoy-ding. (I can’t believe I’m confessing this.) Atticus is also called: Atti-kissy, Attri, Pat-pat, and Little Man With a Hat.

Do Atticus and Broomis do more to help or hinder your writing?

Well, there is that hourly business of me being a dog door. But by way of keeping my mood elevated and giving me so much love, they help immeasurably. Also, both dogs take dictation and type one hundred words per minute, so there’s that.

Have any actual dogs ever inspired dogs in your fiction?

Yes! My new middle grade title, The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle, features a dog named Moonie Drinker. Moonie is modeled on my Atticus. I’m working on something new now and there is a dog with a mysterious past—a thread based on the guesses we’ve made about Broomis’s life before he landed with us.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Atticus: avoid, kiss, chase.

Broomis: fear, cautiously curious (there have been biscuits…), chase (but not like he means it).

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Atticus: six catches and we’re done, not offered (because my ears), proud to carry one but only for a hundred feet.

Broomis: What ball? (rolls by him), not offered, too scary!

Who is each dog's best pet-pal?

Since they have each other there’s a lot of canine brotherly love. Both our dogs welcome canine and human visitors; nothing is better than when one of our grown human kids comes home to visit.

What is each dog's best quality?

Atticus: enthusiasm!

Broomis: quiet reserve.

If Atticus and Broomis could change one thing about Connecticuters, what would it be?

More funds for no-kill shelters!

If Atticus and Broomis could answer only one question in English, what would you ask them?

Name one thing you wish we’d stop doing to you? (Not that we’ll stop…)

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

Atticus: Gaten Matarazzo. Broomis: Steve Carell.

What advice would Atticus and Broomis give if asked?

Shut down the device, get down on all fours, and smell every inch of the eighty-acre wood.

Visit Leslie Connor's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Erin Lindsay McCabe & Roxy

Who is in the photo at right?

That’s my son Dally, me, Erin Lindsay McCabe, author of I Shall Be Near To You, and Roxy, and our 12 and a half year old Best Dog Ever (aka American Mutt). We think she’s part Australian Cattle Dog, but really we have no idea.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

We were visiting my hometown Chico for my book launch at Lyon Books which happened to almost coincide with my birthday and my son’s birthday. So as a triple birthday bash, we decided to visit Beatniks for our coffee date.

What's brewing?

As I’ve gotten older even decaf makes me feel… funny. So usually I stick with a chai latte or a hot chocolate, but today I decided to splurge with a latte.

Any treats for you or Roxy on this occasion?

Dally and I are sugar hounds, so we’ll take any excuse for a chocolate chip cookie or some pumpkin bread. Roxy is a cheese dog, so she’s usually out of luck at the coffee shop. But Beatniks has a delicious veggie sandwich that comes with cheese, so I shared with Roxy. I threw in a back scratch for good measure, which Roxy likes almost as much as cheese.

Are there any dogs in your fiction that are inspired by your dog?

Not really, though I imagine there will be at some point. There are two dogs that show up in I Shall Be Near To You. One was the mascot to a Pennsylvania regiment and went everywhere with them. The other is a “farm dog” and it is scavenging (to put it nicely) on the battlefield, based on historical accounts blended with something I once saw some ranch dogs do.

Does Roxy do more to help or to hinder your writing?

Roxy is a great help. Going for a walk with Roxy is one of the best ways I’ve found to jumpstart my writing. When I was working on I Shall Be Near To You, we would go for a walk first thing and by the time we turned for home, I almost always had some idea percolating. While I write, Roxy usually just curls up on her bed next to the couch and sleeps. It’s nice to have a quiet companion to keep the writing from getting lonely.

How did Roxy get her name? Any aliases?

My husband likes to joke that I stole Roxy. But what really happened was I looked out the window one morning just before Thanksgiving eleven years ago and there was this cute black dog heading down the street, toward a busy road. I ran out to catch her and ended up carrying her (which she absolutely hates to this day) back to our yard. It turned out she belonged to a man who lived a few blocks away, but when he learned we had Roxy, he told us to just keep her. We weren’t really in the market for a dog (despite the window-shopping I had been doing on black lab rescue sites), but we fell in love with her. Since Roxy seemed to know her name, we didn’t change it. We sometimes call her Roxanne, Roxy-dog or Rox or else Puppy or Little Dog.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Oh squirrels for sure, though she’s never caught one to our knowledge. She likes to give our mail carrier a good scary bark with raised hackles, but she doesn’t really mean it. And Roxy lives quite peacefully with our 4 cats a s well as neighbor hood cats that sometimes wander into our yard. Her ability to co-exist with all our other animals (chickens, goats, horses) is one of the many things we love about her.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Roxy loves stuffed squeaky toys that she can shake around violently before tearing holes in them and pulling out all the stuffing. And though she does enjoy chewing on sticks, she finds fetch demeaning.

Does Roxy have a favorite place to go for outings?

She loves any place where she can be leash-free. She’s very obedient and always stays nearby, but she likes to go her own pace and sniff to her heart’s content.

Who is Roxy's best pet-pal?

My son has described Roxy as his best friend, though I’m not sure she feels quite the same. She has a couple dog friends—Iris, our neighbor, an Australian shepherd, and Ginger [photo left], a tiny Chihuahua mix. She also had a (real, working) sniffer dog friend, Bart, a black lab, but he passed away recently. But mostly Roxy has always been a people dog. She knows who has the cheese.

What is Roxy's best quality?

We often refer to Roxy as almost human. She is very serious and takes things personally, but she can also be silly and playful. She is very smart and was incredibly easy to train as a young dog—we used to do tricks almost every night just to keep her mind engaged. Her best tricks were bowing, doing figure-eights between my legs, and crawling, though now-a-days, she’s too creaky to do most of those. She does still love to give high-fives.

If Roxy could change one thing about Californians, what would it be?

She would probably like them to take cheese more seriously, like the French do.

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

How can we help you be more comfortable and why don’t you like your bed in our room anymore?

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

I had to consult my husband on this one. He suggested Amy Adams because she can be serious and playful. And I agree because she also has such sweetness about her.

Visit Erin Lindsay McCabe's website and Facebook page.

--Marshal Zeringue

Lisa Schweitzer & Doc

Who is in the photo at right?

My name is Lisa Schweitzer and I’m a freelance writer for Write 2 Fly-Fish. I also work part-time at a restaurant in West Seattle. My dog (whom I share with my husband), is “Doc”. We think he is about 2 or 2 ½. He is most likely a lab/chow/pitbull/Aussie mix. His looks reflect all of them, but his personality is definitely lab all the way. We rescued him while we were living in Eastern Washington during my husband’s first year of medical school, hence the name inspiration.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Every morning Doc lays by my feet while I enjoy my morning cup of joe and work on my laptop… He does this for about two hours until he starts to get anxious to go to the park. I think he feels this machine attached to a cord that I loudly tap away at is a detriment to his well-being and overall quality of life. In his defense, I would have to agree, but then again, he doesn’t make any income for us, so he shouldn’t complain. (I contradict myself a lot when speaking through my dog…)

What's brewing?

Usually whatever my med school roommates brew up (Tully’s, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts… whatever was on sale) since they get up before I do to study, so I rarely make the morning batch of coffee. (Yes, my husband and I currently live with two other medical students. It’s been a fun past year experience, but we are in the process of moving into our own apartment.)

Any treats for you or Doc on this occasion?

On the way to the off-leash dog park nearby, we have started a dangerous ritual of stopping at the Metropolitan Market and getting a sandwich at their deli (usually the Melted Mozz aka MM sandwich that has melted mozzarella, basil, arugula, tomato and prosciutto.) and I end up giving Doc part of it while we eat it in the car.

How were you and Doc united?

My husband and I stalked his photo on petfinder.com for almost 3 months while living in Pullman, WA, and finally went to the shelter in Moscow, ID where he was being held on October 31st 2012 and ended up taking him home the next day. So, we celebrate his “birthday” on Halloween since his actual birth date is unknown.

How did Doc get his name? Any aliases?

As I said earlier, he got his name from the inspiration that his new dad was in medical school to become a doctor, and it was an idea that ended up sticking. As far as aliases go, he has several… Hound Chow, Wolf Puppy, Monkey, Chow Face, Wolfacinno (with an Italian accent for some reason), and the list keeps growing… We say all of the names in the same tone, so he responds to all of them. (His parents are a little weird.)

What's the wildest critter Doc has encountered in the wild?

That’s funny that you ask this question, and I hope there are no “Squirrel Protection Advocates” who read your blog or might come across this post… We were told by the shelter that Doc would not do well with cats. What we didn’t realize is that cats were just large squirrels in his eyes. A lot of dogs go crazy when those fluffy tailed creatures are around, but our dog actually killed one (a squirrel that is, not a cat thank God)… in front of my mother-in-law’s face while she was dog-sitting him at the park. All she said was he took off running faster than ever, and moments later she heard the squeals of a critter in distress. By the time she made it up the hill to where Doc had run off to, the squirrel was gone.

You're a fly-fishing expert. Has Doc ever gotten rambunctious when you were just about to hook a big fish?

Doc always goes ballistic when a fish is being fought. Luckily, he has never jumped in where the fish might be laying or caused a ruckus to where he may have scared anything away. He did try and jump on a wild steelhead that my husband was about to land in shallow water, but thankfully he just got the line and the fish came off and swam away. We try not to harm wild steelhead, so we do our best to keep Doc away from them just in case.

Does Doc have a favorite place to go for outings?

Doc’s favorite place is the off-leash dog park. He isn’t picky about which one, but anywhere that has water that he can swim in and chase after his ball. He only has one ball he likes, and it’s an orange and blue Chuck-It ball that floats and bounces. He would probably swim after it until he drowned from exhaustion, so we try and limit his swimming time to 20 minutes or so. He is an avid, hyper-obsessive “ball dog”.

Who are Doc's best pet-pals?

Doc’s best dog-friends are his “cousins”: A pug named Xabi (pronounced, “Shabby”), a Golden Retriever named Duchess, a terrier mix named Callie, a Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix named Coco. We are also dog-sitting a friend’s dog, Thompson, for about a month, and they are like brothers separated at the litter.

What is Doc's best quality?

I would have to say his goofy and super sweet personality. He rarely barks, so when company comes over (dogs or human) he doesn’t bark or growl at them when they come in the door. In fact, he’s a little too friendly to anyone who comes in the door, so I don’t know if he would be a very good “guard dog” if necessary. He sure is a big love.

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

He would probably take away my job and my computer. He assumes I have nothing else to do but take him to the park and feed him.

If Doc could answer only one question in English, what would you ask him?

I would ask him to fess up to how many squirrels and kitties he has harmed… and why.

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

That one is tough, because I see him as a kid and don’t know a lot of child actors who could voice him, but if he was an “adult” character in the movie, I would have to say Billy Crystal.

Visit the Write 2 Fly-Fish website and blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Jenny Gardiner & Bridget and Sassy

Who is in the photo at right?

That's me, the writer Jenny Gardiner, and Bridget, an Australian cattle dog/Alaskan Husky mix, and Sassy, a Labrador.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Me and the girls are going to have decaf: me because I developed an intolerance for caffeine, Bridget because she needs no more stimulants since she's so hyper to begin with, and Sassy, well, if I get her hepped up on caffeine she'll likely just try to scavenge even more aggressively for food (she lives for food).

We have gone out for a coffee after Sassy's mani/pedi at the vet (i.e. trimming of her claws) and Bridget's doggy dental day. Bridget has bad genes, which means her teeth like to rot and her breath is unbearable. So once a year when canine teeth cleaning goes on sale during Doggy Dental Month we suck it up and pay the big bucks because otherwise when she barks a pall of dense malodorous foul aroma hangs over the air and she barks all day long. Plus she starts to not be able to eat, which tells us yet another tooth has rotted away, poor girl.

So celebrating the end of surgery (Bridget hates the vet because nothing good happens there, Sassy loves it because they give her unlimited doggy treats). Bridget and Sassy are polar opposites in most all aspects of their lives.

What's brewing?

In following the addiction of their mom, it's definitely a decaf cappuccino, whole milk and bone dry (the dogs do love anything to do with bones!).

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

But yes! Cookies go along with everything around here. Today it's peanut butter flavored doggy cookies. Yummm. We love us our peanut butter doggy treats!

How were you and your dogs united?

Our first dog had passed away right after we moved into our new home. It was traumatic and we weren't going to get another dog for a long time. The kids were still young and dealing with dog maintenance was not high on the agenda as we had enough other critter maintenance (both pets and kids!) we were dealing with. Back then we still had two cats plus my parrot Graycie. On Friday afternoon, 3 months after Beau had died, we sat on our back deck and the in-laws asked when we were getting another dog and we said in unison: not for a long time!

The next day our son had a soccer match. He was about 9 years old. We had company coming from out of town, but we needed to find a fireplace screen, so we headed north about an hour to this home store that had a huge outlet and a big once-a-year sale going on, hoping we'd find a nice screen for a reasonable price.

So we diverted up there quickly (had to get home for our company!) and as we pulled into the field in which we were directed to park, there was an animal rescue league with a handful of puppies they were trying to pawn off on unsuspecting patrons. But my husband had nothing if not steely determination, and had no intention of kowtowing to peer pressure (or offspring pressure, for that matter). The kids, of course, raced over to the puppies, while my husband and I went to check out fireplace screens. While we did that the kids took turns running back to us to beg for the cutest little puppy in the group: a teeny baby with sapphire blue eyes, a sleepy, peaceful little pup who just slept in your arms like a newborn. No! We told them. We can't deal with the responsibility of a dog right now! Soon my husband started to cave, telling me it was an awfully sweet pup. Funny since he's not usually the one who would flock toward having another pet. I stood strong, refusing all petitions from the children. But then en route to the car (no screen, mind you) I was hoodwinked into holding this cute puppy. She was cute. And sweet, and so demure! Now, the kids and I had agreed already that when we got our next puppy, we'd name it Bridget. We'd often discussed this. So when I set the puppy down and some woman came over with her little girl and said "Bridget!" I did a double take. What???!!! Bridget? That was our dog, thank you. I wasn't going to let some interloper move in on the puppy we'd been loving on. Even though I swore I wasn't ready for a puppy, darn it. But the next thing I knew, we'd been suckered into a puppy. Sweet, quiet, placid pup with the stunning eyes.

That peaceful demeanor? It only took a deworming to get rid of a bad case of parasites and we discovered that our dog was high-strung, extremely dominant, and had no intention not being a shy wallflower. We ultimately had to devote a good couple of months to dominating her or else we were going to have to give her back to the shelter, who'd have then euthanized her. Our vet told us our dog was going to be a dangerous pet to have with children because she was so snappy and dominant. Oy. We bit off more than we could chew! But in the end Bridget ended up being a great dog, albeit on her own terms. She's old now so not quite so doggedly determined as before (although she's more than happy to break through our electric fence on any given moment). I have a story about her in the humorous dog anthology I'm Not the Biggest Bitch in This Relationship (50% of royalties goes to Humane Society of the US).

Sassy came a couple of years later. I'd agreed to Bridget with the proviso that I'd get my yellow labrador retriever, which I'd wanted for a long time. My husband surprised me with her for my 40th birthday, after telling me in no uncertain terms we would not get another dog. It was a lovely surprise and she's been a pretty easy dog but for her persistent quest for food, 24/7. Often she mistakes hard plastic for food, which is a problem. And she's such a beta dog she obliges Bridget when Bridget decides to stray on her walkabouts, which are fine for a dog with a full tank of gas like Bridget who can run for hours, but for Sassy she once did so in 100 degree heat and ended up with a borderline case of heat stroke. She's a lab, and can't behave like a dingo/husky mix, which is what Bridget is...

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

For some reason unbeknownst to me the kids and I'd set our minds on calling a dog Bridget. (A friend in childhood had a dog with this name; I guess it stuck).

We called Sassy Sasquatch because she had huge paws.

What role have your dogs played in your writing?

Bridget got a story in a dog anthology (see above) I'm Not the Biggest Bitch in This Relationship because she is such a character.

Do your dogs have a favorite place to go for an outing?

They love to go out hiking off-leash. My husband bravely takes them out in the woods--I don't trust them to come back when called so rarely take them off-leash. But they love to run and play and splash in the creek (Sassy in the water, Bridget in the mud)

Squirrel, postman, cat…?

Bridget barks at anything in the world. It took Sassy maybe a year to know whether she even had a barker! Now every blue moon she barks at the deer in the back yard when Bridget starts the bark. An occasional twilight bark for her. Bridget, it's a 24/7 thing. She also wants to eat Graycie when she's flapping her wings. And barks and chases our cat whenever she comes in from being outside.

Who are dogs' best pet-pals?

Nitro, a black lab down the street, and Sophie and Gracie, a black and yellow lab in the neighborhood.

What is each dog's best quality?

Bridget is our protector. As part cattle dog, she loops around us when we go out hiking as if we are a flock she's herding and protecting. She's so smart. I wish we'd had the time to train her on those dog agility courses--she'd have been a champion I think. Sassy is just very sweet-hearted. Just wants the world to get along (and to feed her all day long)

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

I think Bridget would corral all the nutcase extremist politicians who are running the place and send them packing to another state (or preferably another country altogether).

What is each dog's proudest moment?

I guess Sassy's would be when she had a litter of puppies. She was such a good protective mom. It was so sad when we had to let the puppies go to new homes.

Bridget I think just that she's taken care of her family.

If your dogs could speak in the movie about your life, who should do their voices?

Maybe Bridget would be James Earl Jones.

I think Sassy would be Meryl Streep.

Visit Jenny Gardiner's website and blog.

My Book, The Movie: Sleeping with Ward Cleaver.

Writers Read: Jenny Gardiner.

The Page 99 Test: Winging It.

My Book, The Movie: Winging It.

--Marshal Zeringue

Elyse and Riley

Who is in the photo at right?

The photo shows me (Elyse) and my wonderful dog, Riley. I am currently a student at my local community college pursuing a nursing degree. Before that, I worked as a mental health Certified Peer Specialist for the state of Virginia, providing peer counseling and support services to adults with a mental illness and/or substance abuse issues. Despite the seemingly boyish name, Riley is a girl—people always think she’s a boy, despite the pink collar and leash…sigh. Oh well! Riley is a purebred Australian Cattle Dog and turned 2 years old back in March (her birthday is March 18, 2009).

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

The occasion for stopping for coffee (or in my case, an iced drink since I’m not a huge coffee drinker) is that I’m super tired and need a wake-up and Riley loves to go for car rides, so why not!?

What's brewing?

We’re stopping at a Starbucks drive-thru because I have a gift card (yay!) and they have outdoor seating. Like I said, I don’t really like coffee, but I do love me a Coconut Blended Crème made with soy milk and no whipped cream.

Any goodies for you or Riley to go with the coffee?

I’m on a little bit of a diet (hence the “no whipped cream”), so no goodies for me, but I have brought along some yummy beef treats for Riley to enjoy.

How were you and your dog united?

Ever since I was a little kid, I have begged my parents for a dog. They finally gave in when I was about 13 years-old and we got our first dog (that my parents still have). Now that I’m an adult, I decided it was time to get my very own dog. I actually got Riley because I have a mental illness (which I talk about every once-in-a-while on my blog) which causes me to sometimes see or hear things that aren’t really there. I got her to sleep in my bed with me at night and to bark if there was someone/something in my room. So far, she’s worked out great for that purpose. I decided on an Australian Cattle Dog after I saw a “stunt dog” performance at the Virginia State Fair one year and there were Cattle Dogs in it doing agility and cool tricks. I saw how much fun they were having and decided I wanted to do agility with my dog. Plus, I did some research and found out that they’re in the top 10 smartest breeds and figured she would be easy to train—and she is! I researched some breeders because I wanted a puppy and settled on her breeder. I was last on the deposit list, so I didn’t get a choice of which dog I got. I am so glad I ended up with Riley! I couldn’t have picked a better dog if I had gotten first choice!

How did Riley get her name? Any aliases?

I decided on “Riley” because it was between that or “Ruby.” If I had gotten a red Cattle Dog, I would have named her Ruby. I liked the name Riley ever since some friends of mine named their daughter Riley. I thought it was such a cool, fun name! Oh boy … aliases … let’s see. Riley has many nicknames! She answers to Riley, Riles, Rilesky, Skee, and Skeeter. She also gets called the Riled Child, Skeeter Lapinski, Skeeterbug, Baby Bug, Skee-Skee, and Riley Lapinsk. I’m sure I’m probably forgetting some nicknames also.

Cat, squirrel, postman...?

All of the above! She has it out for cats, squirrels, birds, bunnies, mice, frogs, the postman, the UPS guy, the Fed-Ex guy, and anyone that walks in front of our house. She has, unfortunately, caught (and killed) a bunny, a bird, and a mouse. She really wants to get herself a squirrel though—squirrels are her nemesis!

Tennis ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Riley loves orange Chuck-It rubber tennis balls! She could be dead asleep and then all of a sudden wake up and come drop an orange ball in my lap. I’m convinced she dreams about them and thinks about them 24/7. She also loves sticks but chews them up. She actually has a PVC pipe that we cut off for her to play with outside since she would chew up all the sticks we would play fetch with. She really doesn’t care either way if a toy squeaks or not…

How did Riley get started as a therapy dog? Who does she work with?

When I got Riley, I knew I wanted to do a lot of training with her and I wanted to get her Canine Good Citizen certification. I didn’t know anything about therapy dogs until we started our Advanced Obedience class when Riley was about 5 months old. A bunch of the dogs were already therapy dogs in the class, just there for a training refresher. I heard all their stories about therapy work and decided we’d go for it. Riley got her Canine Good Citizen certificate in November of 2009, when she was 6 or 7 months old and then got her Therapy Dogs International certification in April of 2010 when she was 1 year old and was eligible to take the test. Riley really loves the elderly, so we primarily go to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and retirement communities. She has gone to visit with elementary students as well, but really loves her “adoptive Grandmas and Grandpas” at the nursing homes.

Where is Riley's favorite place for outings?

Therapy dog visits are Riley’s absolute favorite outings, but she’s also glad to go anywhere I go! As long as she’s with her “Mommy,” she’s happy. She also loves going to the beach.

Who are Riley's best pet-pals?

Riley’s best pet-pal is her “Aunt,” Chloe, who is my parents’ dog (the one we got when I was 13). Chloe is a Dachshund mixed with who-knows-what. I hate to admit this, but Riley is very picky about what dogs she gets along with. She’s been that way since she was a puppy. She gets along well with some dogs she meets and doesn’t like other dogs she meets. She had a “boyfriend” named Kapua in her therapy dog class who is a Rottweiler/Lab mix and she gets along well with my sister’s dog, Daisy.

What is Riley's best quality?

Riley’s best quality would have to be her enthusiasm for life. There’s not a day that she wakes up and isn’t happy to see our family. Her joy for living inspires me. Her “enthusiasm for life” sometimes gets her in trouble though when we have visitors. She gets super excited to see people that come over to our house (especially my sister and brother-in-law) and needs to sit in their laps (she’s 52 pounds!!) and be right up in their faces giving them kisses!

What is Riley's proudest moment? Most embarrassing?

Riley’s proudest moment would have to be when she passed her Therapy Dogs International exam last year! Her most embarrassing moment happens every single time we go to the vet … she absolutely loves one of the receptionists there, Brooke, who happens to absolutely love Riley. She loves Brooke so much that she pees on the floor every time she sees her! She only does it for Brooke and has done it ever since she was a puppy and started going to the vet there. So silly! Okay, so maybe those are my most proud and embarrassing moments pertaining to Riley!

Visit the Adventures of a Cattle Dog blog and Facebook page.

--Marshal Zeringue

Elizabeth J. Duncan & Dolly

Who is in the photo at right?

This is Elizabeth J Duncan with Dolly. She's a 13-year-old mix of uncertain parentage. Possibly an Australian cattle dog/lab. However, it is her beautiful blue merle coat that gives her such a distinctive look. People sometimes stop me in the street to comment on her markings.

I write the Penny Brannigan murder mystery series set in North Wales and I teach in the public relations programs at Humber College, in Toronto, at the Lakeshore campus. Sometimes Dolly comes to school with me; she loves the attention the students lavish on her.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

My favourite place to drink coffee is right in my own back yard. I live in the west end of Toronto, on the shore of Lake Ontario.

You forget you are in a big city and it's like being perpetually at the cottage. I rarely go to coffee houses.

What's brewing?

I have three systems. Sometimes I grind the beans myself and use a French press. When I do this, my favourite beans are the Holiday Blend, by Second Cup. If I use my manual drip maker, I use President's Choice Great Canadian Coffee or good old Maxwell House. It's just old-fashioned, regular coffee. And then my son brought home a Tassimo, so it's still Maxwell House. It's not latte, frapachino, grande, mocha, skinny whatever or anything else.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

If we are feeling naughty, we love to have a cake from Sanremo, a beautiful bakery on Royal York Road. The quality of Sanremo products is superb and I understand everything is baked on the premises.

Any treat for Dolly on this occasion?

Dolly has a friend who bakes her peanut butter biscotti from a recipe especially for dogs. Dolly loves those! She has also discovered liver treats.

How were you and Dolly united?

Dolly came to me via my ex-husband. He got her when she was four months old from a sign he spotted on a bulletin board in the bank of the small town where he was living at that time. "Free to good home." So Dolly lived with him until she was about five and then he took a job up north that involved travel, so at that time she came to live with me in Toronto. Dolly's been loved every day since he got her and we couldn't have asked for a nicer dog.

Does Dolly have any influence on your writing?

She sure does. In both my books a dog has played a key role and I really couldn't imagine one of my books without a dog. A couple of readers have asked if my protagonist, Penny Brannigan, could have a cat, but that doesn't feel right to me. Dolly actually does me a great service by inviting me to go for walks with her. I do some of my best thinking when I am walking with her. I resolve plot issues, get inspired, and sometimes, ideas come to me when we're out walking that improve or change the nature or direction of a book. When we get home, I head straight for the computer and I know where the story needs to go.

How did Dolly get her name? Does she have any aliases?

That was her name when we got her and Dolly she remained. I would not have called her Dolly but in a funny way, it suits her. Or maybe it's just that in 12 years I've got used to it and couldn't think of her with any other name. Audrey! Camilla! Rosie! No, Dolly it is. But sometimes when we're alone I call her Pet or Treasure.

Squirrel, cat, postman...?

Definitely squirrel or any other small rodent, like mice. She has a high prey drive, I'm afraid, and she has been known to kill. And then she walks away as if nothing happened.

Tennis ball, Frisbee, squeaky-toy...?

She is not a fetch kind of dog, although certainly fetching. She likes squeaky toys until the squeak goes out of them and then they no longer interest her.

Where is Dolly's favorite outdoor destination?

It is probably Col. Samuel Smith Park behind Humber College where I teach. We have rambled there for years. There's a lake for a dip on a hot summer day and lots of paths to wander, tall grass to hide in, hunting grounds for mice and endless smells to investigate.

Who is Dolly's best pet-pal?

Dolly has two favourite friends, Trixxi, who is also a blue merle and they certainly attract attention when they're together and little Angie, a Maltese terrier from a rescue group adopted earlier this year by a friend of mine. I would say, though, that Dolly is always more interested in the human creature than the canine one.

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

I think she would like me to walk four hours in the morning, then a nice nap, then we'll walk another four hours. However, now that she's getting older, we might be able to cut back on that a bit.

What is Dolly's best quality? Her most frustrating?

Dolly's best quality is her eagerness to please. She has a beautiful disposition and will do things for me that I know she doesn't really want to, like come in the house when she'd rather stay outside. She also has beautiful manners. When I come into the house after being away, Dolly stands up to greet me. Nothing about Dolly is frustrating.

I think dogs are wonderful, beautiful creatures. They are clever, full of fun, and embody the best attributes known to humankind. If there were one thing I could change about dogs, though, I would find a way for them to live longer. They leave us too soon.

Visit Elizabeth J. Duncan's website and blog.

The Page 69 Test: The Cold Light of Mourning.

The Page 69 Test: A Brush with Death.

--Marshal Zeringue

Tena Parker & Shayne and Rio

Who is in the photo at right?

I’m Tena Parker and the dog in the photo is Shayne, my 5.5 year old female Border Collie mix.

Rio, my 1.5yr old Australian Cattle Dog/Whippet, is the subject of the photo below left.

I have a Master’s in Education and was working with a non-profit when the economy crashed and I was laid off—this, to me, was a sign to take my career in a new direction so off I went. I am a dog trainer, a (mostly) dog blogger, an amateur photographer, and lastly (I think), I am the Tena behind Tugs by Tena Etsy store.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Anytime I get a chance to have a relaxing picnic lunch with my dogs I leap at the chance. Since it’s a reasonably nice day (no rain or storms) I figured it was a good day to take advantage of with a picnic.

What's brewing?

Shhh, it’s a secret (though not really), but I’m not a coffee drinker. I rarely even drink tea but, in honor of the blog, I opted to make some fresh brewed Lipton’s Iced Tea (see, I’m low maintenance) to take with me for lunch.

Any treat for you and your dogs on this occasion?

Yep, I have a nice peanut butter and banana sandwich and an apple for lunch.

How were you and your dogs united?

I’d been looking for a dog for a year since losing my previous dog to a very fast moving cancer when I found Shayne in my local shelter. She was 10 months old and an abuse neglect case who was significantly under weight, really under socialized, generally scared of the world, and a really anxious dog.

Rio was adopted from a rescue in NJ when he was 4 months old. He was probably from an unwanted litter, no trauma or sad past for him.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

My female dogs tend to have androgynous names and I heard of a female character on a T.V. show with the name Shane and I really liked it. When I got Shayne I had a list of five names and waited to see what suited her personality and Shayne won. Shayne is also known as Shayney, Shay, RED dawg, and Shayn-iac.

Rio… well he is named after the navy abbreviation R.I.O or radar intercept officer. This is the person in the backseat of older two-seater fighter planes. The RIO was crucial to the safety of the plane and the mission. They were not necessarily in charge of the flight of the plane but the input of the RIO was crucial and at times dictated the direction of the plane. That is sort of how I view my relationship with my dogs… I’m normally the one in charge of where we are going and what we are doing but the input of the dogs is crucial and will sometimes dictate the direction we take. Rio is also known as Ri or Ri-monster.

What inspired you to make and sell tug toys and leashes?

Shayne is a monster on toys. There are very few toys that survive more than a few days and it became ridiculously expensive. I like using tug-toys in my training but she destroyed commercially available fleece tug toys left and right so I wanted a much more durable product for her to play with. I made some for myself and in sharing photos and giving them as gifts I began to get orders for toys … and so Tugs by Tena was created.

Cat, squirrel, postman...?

Rio: Squirrel… no joke that word is considered a cuss word in our house because if it’s said, even in passing, Rio will run to every window in the house searching for squirrels (and in the process pull down curtains).

Shayne: hands down the UPS truck/person, she gets so riled up when they try to deliver anything.

Tennis ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

They are toy obsessed in general… so tennis balls, squeaky toys, puzzle toys… all their favorites.

Where is your dogs' favorite place for an outing?

A friend of the family has a large property where I am allowed to bring the dogs to be off-leash and play. They love this place. They can race through fields, chase squirrels in the orchard, they can scent out deer or turkey, Rio loves to roll in coyote poop, they can scent out gopher holes (and then stick their heads in them) and run through the crop fields.

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

They would probably long for me to have their same unending energy… after a 3hr hike I’m tired and they are ready to keep going.

What is each dog's proudest moment? Most embarrassing?

Shayne’s proudest moment… well, I’d say my most proud moment of Shayne was the day I realized that she is no longer the terrified, anxious, tentative dog I adopted 4 years ago…that she’s, for the most part, a normal confident dog who can go anywhere and interact with anyone safely.

Most embarrassing for me (with regards to Shayne) was probably when we were doing a frisbee demo show in CT and she did a back vault (jump off my back) and I lost my balance and basically fell over!

Rio’s proudest moment happened recently. We were at the farm a few weeks ago and Rio was about 50 yards in front of me as we crested this hill, when I finally got to the top I saw Rio about 200yards away chasing deer into the woods. I recalled him and he turned on a dime and came flying back.

Rio … he’s so confident and sure of himself, I’m not sure he has ever done anything to embarrass himself and he, knock on wood, hasn’t really embarrassed me … yet.

Visit the Success Just Clicks blog and the Tugs by Tena Etsy store.

--Marshal Zeringue

Shauna Stewart & Mickey and Kayloo

Who is in the photo at right?

Hi! My name is Shauna and I blog for Fido and Wino.

I have two goofy, wonderful dogs:

- Mickey, a 2 1/2 year old chihuahua/terrier (the brown one).
- Kayloo, a 2 year old pitbull/aussie cattle dog (black and white one).

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I work from home so I spend a lot of time talking to my monitor, myself and my dogs. I use grabbing a daily cuppa joe as an excuse to interact with real humans in the real world.

What's brewing?

A great big soy Africano.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

I try not to dilute my caffeine with buzz killing carbs.

Any treat for your dogs on this occasion?

A strip of dehydrated duck or two.

You are active member of the R.O.A.R. Squad--what's that?

The R.O.A.R. Squad stands for Rescue Owners Are Rockin'! The idea is to make adopting a rescue the coolest thing around by introducing current and prospective pet owners to inspiring rescue owners.

Every day thousands of people decide to add a pet to their home. And every day people unwittingly support puppy mills by purchasing their pets from pet stores and online- unknowingly keeping these puppy mills in business by buying their “product.”

I started this project in April 2010 and by April 2011 my goal is to feature:
- at least one rescue owner from every state in the US
- at least one rescue owner from every province and territory in Canada

Click here for a list of all the current ROAR Squad members.

We are about 70% of the way there! If you have a rescue pet and you would like to join the ROAR Squad that would be fabulous! You can learn more about what info to send through here.

How were you and Mickey and Kayloo united?

Mickey was our first and my husband and I basically did everything wrong when it comes to adding an animal to your home: We started looking online, ended up going to a broker and didn't meet Mickey's parents. That whole experience lead us to start looking into animal rescue and a few months later when we decided to get a buddy for Mickey we scoured Petfinder.com to find Kayloo (Kayloo came from the Victoria Pet Adoption Society). Kayloo is the original inspiration behind the R.O.A.R. Squad.

Tennis ball, Frisbee, squeaky-toy...?

Both of my dogs like squeaky toys. Right now their favourite toy is an itty bitty squeaky teddy bear. It's a cat toy. Disgraceful.

Where is your dogs' favorite place for an outing?

They love going to the local university- there are hills and trails and mud as well as a compost heap in one corner. Messy dog heaven.

Who are your dogs' best pet-pals?

Each other. Mickey forgets how to walk properly when Kayloo isn't there and Kayloo trips over herself in happiness when they are reunited.

What is each dog's most endearing quality?

When Mickey is tired we call him Sack of Potatoes Puppy because he will let you haul him anywhere and fall asleep immediately upon being set down (normally he is really squirmy).

As I mentioned I work from home and several times a day Kayloo comes into my office for a "hug." She'll stand in front of me, wait for me to give her a hug and rub her belly and then she will go back to wherever she was hanging out.

If Mickey and Kayloo could change one thing about you, what would it be?

They would get me to quit holding out on the treats, already (I don't give them very many. This is because I'm mean, basically).

What is each dog's proudest moment? Most embarrassing?

Most embarrassing for Mickey: When he was a pup he had a thing for waiting until we got halfways across a crosswalk before squatting down to do his bid-ness. I can't even count how many times he did this... in front of all kinds of traffic... at rush hour. That was pretty awesome.

Proudest moment for Kayloo: She passed her therapy dog test. I was so nervous, she did great!

Visit the Fido & Wino blog.

Learn more about the R.O.A.R. Squad.

--Marshal Zeringue

Ann Crowder & Sage and Toby

Who is in the photo at right?

Hi, I’m Ann Crowder and these two are Sage and Toby. After years of Federal service as an accountant, I’m enjoying retired life with days full of dogs, volunteering and quilting. After Sage came into our lives almost a year ago, I decided to write a blog about her adventures growing up. Actually, she writes it—I just help with the big words.

Toby is our old guy. He’s 11-years old and is an Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler) mix. He’s been with us since he was rescued at 15-months old. Sage came to us as a puppy from a local shelter when she was 10-weeks old and will have her first birthday on November 27. She’s an Australian Kelpie/Border Collie mix (our best guess), and, as you may have surmised from her breed, keeps us busy!

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Coffee at home is a must, but there’s always something brewing at our favorite indoor dog park-Fido’s. The raining season is here in the Pacific Northwest and taking Sage for a walk is like an appetizer. We don’t know what we’d do without Fido’s! There’s even a coffee bar there.

Sage at 10 weeks

What's brewing?

My favorite coffee is Stumptown, a local roaster. It’s the best! I like my coffee black, but occasionally, I’ll succumb to a latte or maybe a mocha.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

Generally, not. Even when I go out to coffee with my yoga friends, I keep it to black coffee.

Any treats for Sage and Toby on this occasion?

They get their treats either before we go to the dog park or when we get home. I try to keep their treats high-value—like a carrot chew or a pumpkin & apple cookie.

How were you and Toby and Sage united?

Toby came from the Dumb Friends League in Denver, Co. He was 20 pounds underweight, had a big hematoma on his head and had been dumped several times. But he had a big smile on his face and we fell in love with him at once. He had no social skills and didn’t know how to play, but with a lot of training and love, he’s become a great dog. He never lets me out of his sight to this day!

We didn’t plan on getting another dog after Maggie (a Border-Aussie) succumbed to cancer in January, but I saw this little ball of fluff on Petfinder.com. She was originally in a shelter south of here and was transferred to our local shelter through the second chance program. Along with Toby, we went in to see what we thought. How could you resist her, we decided. Toby also put his stamp of approval on the deal--he was tired of being lonely.

How did Toby and Sage get their names? Any aliases?

We kept Toby’s name that was given him at the shelter. He had so much to learn that he didn’t need to learn a new name. Sometimes we call him “The Tobster” though!

Mystic & Sage in the cat tree

The name Sage was an inspiration of my husband’s. She can be called Sager-Wager-Pager, or SWP, or sometimes “The Brat,” depending on her latest puppy antics.

Cat, squirrel, postman...?

We have two cats that grew up with Toby and are around 8-years old. He’s very tolerant of them and I’d often find them sleeping together. However, Sage is another story. They currently co-exist and one cat, Mystic, will even tolerate her to some extent. One of Sage’s favorite spots is the lower level of the cat tree and often she will be there with Mystic in the upper level (the penthouse). As Sage gets older, we are sure their relationships will continue to improve.

Now, squirrels are a different matter. Both Sage and Toby are on constant guard against invaders into our yard. The squirrels love to taunt them by either running along the top of the fence or chattering at them from the trees. Fortunately, the squirrels always seem to outrun them!

Tennis ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Sage has a knack for chewing up most toys, so what she gets now is limited. I think her destruction record is 5 minutes! So we only have certain rubber balls and deer/elk antlers lying around. Sage does love to play ball though—so much so, that I think she’s a bit ball-obsessed! We generally play ball for at least two hours a day and sometimes more. Usually this is at Fido’s where we have room to let her run.

Sage at the river

Toby used to carry around a plush toy and would go to sleep with it in his mouth. That was a “game” he played with Maggie, who thought every toy was hers. It was a type of keep-away, I think.

Where is Sage and Toby's favorite place for an outing?

There is a very large park near here that is the delta between the Sandy and Columbia Rivers and is around 1400 acres full of trees, meadows and, best of all, the river. This is where Sage discovered water, and, during the summer, spent as much time as she could in it. We never had a dog that likes water as much as she does, so it gives us endless hours of enjoyment. She can find water even if it’s a mud hole! Toby loves long hikes and, as long as he’s with us, he’s happy.

Who are Sage and Toby's best pet-pals?

Sage met my friend’s Great Pyrenees mix when she was about 4-months old and it was love at first sight. The size didn’t matter to her—she doesn’t seem to be afraid of much. Every time they are together, they love to have a good romp.

Toby's proudest moment

When Toby was younger, his best friend was Maggie. About a month after Sage came to live with us, he decided this little pest was going to stick around and he became her teacher. Now that he is older, he is selective in who his friends are and occasionally will find a dog at the dog park that he likes.

If Sage or Toby could change one thing about you, what would it be?

I bet they’d like me to quit rationing their treats and find some juicy bones for them!

What are Sage and Toby's proudest moments? Most embarrassing?

Sage was very proud of herself for digging out under our fence and rolling in something very stinky and dead. Her most embarrassing moment was the bath she had afterward. That stink was all washed off and she couldn't even let her friends get a whiff!

When Toby was young, he loved to sit up tall and proud with a pink octopus in his mouth. I don't think he's ever gotten embarrassed.

Check out Sage’s latest antics at The (mis)Adventures of Sage.

--Marshal Zeringue

Jenny Nelson & Clarabelle

Who is in the photo at right?

That’s me, Jenny Nelson, and my not-quite-two-year-old Australian cattle dog mix, Clarabelle. I’m a writer whose first novel, Georgia’s Kitchen, about a chef in New York who travels to Tuscany to open a trattoria and, incidentally, has a lab retriever mix named Sally, came out earlier this month.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

No special occasion, just a lovely morning for coffee on the back porch. The kids are playing with my husband and Clarabelle’s doggy pals haven’t yet arrived at my husband’s office, so it’s just me, the pooch and the butterflies flitting around the garden.

What's brewing?

An even keel: half caf, half decaf, milk, sugar. I prefer Starbucks Italian roast bold and Espresso decaf, but since I ran out of the Italian I’m using Dean & Deluca’s French Roast.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

My breakfast – a couple pieces of toast with raspberry jam.

Any treat for your dog on this occasion?

Clarabelle generally doesn’t have much of an appetite until evening. Her food sits out for her all day and then at around seven, when we’re having dinner, she digs in. However, if I were to offer her a slab of salmon, she’d be eternally grateful.

How were you and your dog united?

Clarabelle was a rescue dog from Georgia who came to us by way of Perfect Pets Rescue in Red Hook, NY. Apparently there are a lot of kill shelters in Georgia and Perfect Pets travels there and scoops up as many as they think they can find homes for. They’re a great organization. Anyone looking for a dog in the Dutchess County, NY area should check them out!

How did your dog get her name? Any aliases?

My daughters Flora and Ava, then five, named her. There’s a kid’s book with a cow named Clarabelle, and I’m pretty sure she’s her namesake (sort of appropriate, since she’s part cattle dog). I think it’s a terrific name. We call her Clarrie, Clarabellie and Nutty.

Does your dog have any influence on your writing?

Taking Clarabelle for a walk is a great way to work through plot problems. Whenever I need to clear my head, I’ve got a partner who’s always ready for a bit of fresh air. Sometimes, I talk to her as we walk (we live in the country, so no one sees us!), though I’m pretty sure she ignores me.

Cat, squirrel, postman...?

Squirrel, absolutely. She is a gentle dog who turns into a rabid killer around squirrels. It’s a bit unsettling (for her humans and also for her belly).

Tennis ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

She loves a good tug of war, but is also a fan of fetching tennis balls. Dropping them, however, is not her strong suit.

Where is your dog's favorite place for an outing?

Her yard. Fortunately, the property where we live is entirely fenced and she roams it all day long.

Who is Clarabelle's best pet-pal?

Roscoe, a black lab with a giant head and a heart of gold.

What is Clarabelle's best quality?

She is incredibly smart. And she gives great hugs (seriously).

What is Clarabelle's proudest moment? Her most embarrassing?

Catching a Frisbee, which she’s since forgotten how to do. Not sure about her most embarrassing moment -- she’s pretty cool.

Read an excerpt from Georgia’s Kitchen, and learn more about the book and author at Jenny Nelson's website and blog.

--Marshal Zeringue