Melissa Payne & Max

Who is in the photo at right?

This is Max and he’s a fun loving, squirrel chasing ten-year-old mutt with perhaps a dash of Belgian Malinois. His human is me, Melissa Payne, debut author of The Secrets of Lost Stones, and a life-long writer with a penchant for telling stories and a love for all things dark and mystical.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

It’s just another day for Max. After he helps me get the kids to school, then it’s our time to get some serious writing done and for Max to give me story suggestions every so often in the form of a whine or a bark or two. His ideas generally involve squirrels or peanut butter so it’s a bit limiting, but I do enjoy the collaboration.

What's brewing?

Freshly ground drip coffee, black, light to medium roast and whatever brand my husband buys because he’s the true coffee lover in the family.

Any treats for you or Max on this occasion?

I always have a handful of almonds with my coffee and almonds happen to be one of Max’s favorite snacks. He can hear me bite down on one from outside. So, the deal between us is I get one almond then Max gets one almond and so on. He sits patiently, drooling, by my side until the handful is gone.

How were you and Max united?

Max was a rescue dog and I found him just after the rescue organization had pulled him from a shelter where he was scheduled to be euthanized. Once I saw his picture on their website, I knew immediately that he was the right one for our family. And when we met him in person we quickly loaded him into our car before anyone else could adopt him.

How did your dog get his name?

His name at the shelter was King but we decided to call him Max, like King Max from Where the Wild Things Are. And it’s a perfect name for him because Max’s nature is one of curiosity and adventure with just a dash of stubbornness.

Does Max do more to help or hinder your writing?

This is my favorite question. Writing is a solitary pursuit that doesn’t lend itself toward much socialization during the working hours. But with Max I have a work partner whose only requirement is that we go on epic hikes and that he gets belly rubs whenever he rolls onto his back. He makes my day.

Have any actual dogs ever inspired dogs in your fiction?

Oh, yes! I have a work in progress about a former military working dog. The research I’ve done for this book has left me even more in awe of dogs and their amazing abilities that combined with such loving and dedicated spirits make for just about the most perfect pet. (Please don’t let my cat read this or I’ll have to deny all of it.)

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Squirrel, always the squirrels!

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

A Kong filled with peanut butter.

Where is Max's favorite outdoor destination?

A long hike on any of the trails around our mountain town.

Who is Max's best pet-pal?

Lucy, his only cat friend who weighs about as much as his paw yet rules the roost.

What is Max's best quality?

He has so many! He’s loving and kind to others and always on alert, ready to protect his kids from wild animals, if needed. And he’s the most content when he is with us, whether that’s at home, on a walk, or his favorite, in the car on the way to a camping trip.

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

He would want me to stop talking to the cat. He prefers when I use that tone of voice with him.

And almonds. He’d prefer I’d give him the whole handful at once.

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

Do you feel loved?

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

Patrick Warburton.

What advice would Max give if asked?

Don’t growl unless you have a really good reason, like a bear is prowling the yard. See the good in everyone, even the cat. Always chase squirrels. And never pass up an opportunity to jump in the car and go somewhere. Life is meant to be lived, even if it means a trip to the vet instead of a camp site.

Visit Melissa Payne's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Barbara Edwards & Dixie

Who is in the photo at right?

Dixie, a Belgiun Malinois, female eight years old and author Barbara Edwards, a published writer. We’re visiting Chimney Rock, North Carolina during a conference for The Wild Rose Press authors.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I have coffee with Dixie every morning. She uses her cold, wet nose to poke any exposed skin until I awake to make my coffee and take her outside. She does her business while I sit on the porch and enjoy the morning.

What's brewing?

I drink my coffee black with ½ a spoon of sugar. I like strong coffee, usually Colombian Roast, never the flavored stuff.

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

I love éclairs and there is a French bakery downtown. Theirs are wonderful with fresh cream. I try not to indulge more than once a week. Dixie gets the last bite. She has begging down to a science.

How were you and your dog united?

Dixie is adopted. This is a long story. My husband loves German Shepherds, but I’m sad to say that every time I’ve been bitten it’s been by one. I was watching the Westminster Kennel show, not really shopping, but they showed the three varieties of Belgians. They are all beautiful, but the Malinois’ description said: smart, family friendly, loyal. And I said ‘Aha!”

I went online to search for breeders and found they are very careful with their dogs, only breeding the females every other year. Sorry, none available. I checked with adoption sites and their dogs were several years old, not what my husband wanted.

We were sitting in a coffee shop (isn’t that appropriate?), having coffee, when he found an ad in the Step Saver about a Belgian Malinois up for adoption. I called and the rest is history. She was six months old.

How did Dixie get her name? Any aliases?

When we adopted Dixie, she wouldn’t respond to any name we called her until my son visited. He said, “Since you’re going south for the winter, why not call her Dixie?” She ran over and nuzzled his hand. So she actually picked her name. No aliases although there are a few things muttered when we clean the yard.

Does she have any role in your books and writing life?

Dixie keeps me from becoming a desk potato. She will nudge my arm until I surface and take her for a walk. This keeps me from gaining weight, too. I would love to make her a character, but she is so small people would think it fiction.

Cat, squirrel, postman...?

Don’t make me laugh. Dixie has staked out her territory: our yard and the road in front, the air overhead. She barks at squirrels, cats, rabbits, fox, an occasional coyote, the pair of hawks hunting mice and even an airplane landing at the airport. The postman and the garbage man both carry dog treats and she will bark until they hand over the goodies.

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

I had to eliminate chew toys. She destroys them and eats the pieces. Not good. I found an ostrich leg bone at the butcher’s shop and she took a year to wear it down to a hand-length. She will find a branch in the yard and play tug of war with me.

Where are Dixie's favorite places for outings?

With me. She wants to be with me twenty-four seven. She goes camping, hiking, visiting, wherever I go. She is well-behaved, a sweetheart despite her eighty pounds of muscle.

Who are her best pet-pals?

Dixie likes Bea, a sort of black retriever mix with a sloppy smile who belongs to my son and they play in the yard. Also, Cherokee who we visit in Virginia.

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

She’d make me pet her continuously all day, every day.

What is Dixie's best quality?

She is loving, a snuggler with a big heart. Dixie wants to be a lapdog, but will settled for laying her head on my lap and smiling at me.

What is Dixie's proudest moment?

She caught a squirrel’s tail and pulled out a tuft of hair when it fell off the porch banister. She is convinced she can do it again.

Her most embarrassing?

When she ate a piece of carpet and couldn’t cough it up or pass it. She was totally miserable, hanging her head and tail. That did entail a trip to the vet.

Thank you for allowing me to brag about the smartest, best, most wonderful dog in the world, Dixie.

Visit Barbara Edwards's website and blog, and follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

--Marshal Zeringue

Staff Sgt. Joshua Washington & Jings

Who is in the photo at right?

I, Staff Sgt. Joshua Washington, am a U.S. Army Military Working Dog handler assigned to the 221st Military Police Detachment at Fort Eustis, Va. I’m responsible for the overall care and work of my MWD. I’m currently partnered with Jings, a five-year-old male Belgian Malinois who specializes in patrol and explosive detection. MWD handlers rotate MWDs depending on the operational needs of the unit and the duty station changes of the handler. Only MWDs and their handlers with expertise in specialized searches remain together throughout the career of the handler. I have had two other MWDs in my career, Britt and Clara.

What is the Jings' rank? How long did it take him to achieve his present rank?

Jings is a sergeant first class. All MWDs are one rank higher than their handlers. Ranks for MWDs are assigned this way so that it is considered a major offense if a handler ever mistreats his MWD; it is the equivalent to an assault on a superior. When a MWD retires, they retire at the highest rank they held in their career. Jings has held his current rank for two years and it is currently at the highest rank he has achieved.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Early morning training. 221st Military Police Detachment MWD handlers usually start their day around 3 a.m. opening the kennel and training the MWDs.

What's brewing?

Dunkin Donuts regular cup of Joe.

Any treats to go with the coffee?

Dunkin Donuts assorted doughnuts.

Any treat for Jings on this occasion?

MWDs are usually not rewarded with food treats due to their strict diets. They are weighed twice a month and held to weight restrictions just like Soldiers are. Rewards are typically given in the form of verbal praises and, on occasion, toys. On special occasions like birthdays or holidays, MWD handlers are allowed to give their MWDs special food, like dressing on Thanksgiving, mixed with their regular food.

How did Jings come to be united with you?

The kennel master (the 221st Military Police Detachment MWD kennel master is Staff Sgt. Joseph Secrist) is the ultimate deciding figure in pairing MWD handlers and MWDs. The decision process is based on a MWD’s expertise and a MWD handler’s experience. For MWDs that specialize in explosive detection, like Jings, more experience is required due to the high-stress situations the team can find itself in. Junior MWD handlers usually start out with drug/law enforcement or health and welfare MWDs. This also helps Soldiers with less experience interact with commanders from a company level, eventually working up to interaction with commanders of higher levels.

How did Jings get his name?

MWDs are given their names when they are purchased by the Department of Defense from a breeder. They also have a National Stock Number (something like a Social Security Number) that is tattooed in their ear. DoD purchasing teams are tasked with locating breeders throughout the world that meet the strict criteria to produce dogs that can be considered for the MWD program. The dogs are sent from these chosen breeders to the DoD Military Working Dog Training Center at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Once MWDs graduate from the training school, they are sent to kennels on military installations around the globe.

Has he earned any special medals of commendations?

Jings has been awarded with the 8th Transportation Brigade Commander’s Coin.

I understand MWDs are trained in areas like narcotic and explosive detection, building searches, open area scouting, and special search missions. Does your dog have a specialty or specialties?

Jings is a Patrol/Explosive Detector Dog. He is trained to find explosives and assist his handler in military police patrols.

Do you participate in competitions against other MWDs? If so, how did you do at a recent one?

The 221st Military Police Detachment MWD Kennel recently competed in the 2009 Military Working Dog Warrior Police Challenge in May at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. The event brought MWDs and MWD handlers from all the services together to compete for top honors. The 221st Military Police Detachment MWD Kennel had three MWDs and their handlers in the competition. All three teams placed consecutively in the top five of all the events, which included scouting, explosive detection, obedience, handler protection and endurance. The 221st Military Police Detachment MWD Kennel received the overall Top Kennel award.

Since I was only recently paired with Jings, I competed in the event with another MWD, Clara, a six-year-old female German Shepherd who also specializes in patrol and explosive detection. Together, Clara and I won first place in the endurance challenge and third place in the explosive detection challenge. With another MWD handler, Jings placed third in scouting.

Which branch of the military has the best MWD?

The Army, of course.

Somehow I knew you were going to say the Army. Which branch has the second best MWD?

In my opinion, the U.S. Marine Corps does because they train on a level closest to the Army’s.

Have you and the dog been posted in a war zone? If so, can you briefly tell us something about the high point and low point of that experience?

I have not yet deployed with Jings, but I will do so in September to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Before I was stationed at Fort Eustis, I was assigned in Germany where I worked with another MWD, Britt, a five-year old male German Shepherd who also specializes in patrol and explosive detection. We deployed to Iraq in 2007-2008. Jings deployed with another MWD handler to Iraq in 2008-2009.

With Britt, my low point was leaving him in Germany when I permanently changed stations of duty. During a deployment, it’s like having a brother with you 24/7; you eat together, you sleep together, you do everything together.

What's your MWD's proudest moment?

I was very proud with Clara to take Top Kennel in the 2009 Military Working Dog Warrior Police Challenge. With Jings, we passed our certification to deploy in just 15 days when it usually can take up to 90 days to pass. The program manager doubted our ability to do this, but we worked hard and we accomplished it.

Among the other MWDs at Fort Eustis, who does your dog best get along with?

Jings’ buddy in the kennel is a male German Shepherd named Gudy.

Special thanks to Monica Miller Rodgers, Fort Eustis Command Information Officer/Fort Story Public Affairs, for her assistance with this interview.

--Marshal Zeringue