Kira Jane Buxton & Ewok

Who is in the photo at right?

The being with less of a beard in this photograph is me, mostly human writer Kira Jane Buxton. The four-legged, bearded chap is my canine partner-in-crime, Ewok. He is ten years young and a Brussels Griffon. We were, naturally, cosplaying as Sherlock Holmes and Watson in this picture.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

We stopped by our local Viennese coffee shop. It’s beautiful and very fancy, and you are not allowed to order things by their American names. Instead of latte, you must say “wiener melange.” I find this wonderful, whimsical, and occasional hysterical.

What's brewing?

I am very pathetic and can’t handle coffee anymore, so I order a decaf with almond milk and vanilla, which means I am an utter embarrassment to the city of Seattle.

Any treats for you or Ewok on this occasion?

Cafe Vienna has a drive through window, which Ewok loves going through. He whines, sticks his head out of the car window and “performs” for a snack. We recently got a new car with tinted windows, and in his anxiety that the barista can’t see him through those dark windows he has developed this manic routine where he barks like the UPS man is breaking in and scratches manically at the new leather seats. This is very effective and he gets lifted to the front seat so that he can flirt with his barista. He often receives a Milk Bone that is the appropriate size for a Great Dane and we have to ration it into bits because he gets anxious if his treats are too large.

How were you and Ewok united?

We got Ewok from a breeder when we were living in LA. It was love at first sight (as a puppy he looked like a little bald gremlin with long wisps of dark hair, with a natural prancing gait, mohawk and full beard). We brought him home and he was partially raised by one of my three rescue cats.

How did your dog get his name? Any aliases?

There was really no other choice. We considered “Wicket” and also “Fizzgig” but Ewok just fit him so perfectly. Every time we go anywhere, people yell, “Dude! Your dog looks like an Ewok!” It’s very satisfying.

Does Ewok do more to help or hinder your writing?

He’s an enormous helper. Brussels Griffons are velcro dogs, so he and I do almost everything together. He’s very good about recognizing when I’ve been sitting typing too long and it’s time for us to go on some sort of adventure. I write full time from home, so I spend more time with Ewok than anyone else.

Have any actual dogs ever inspired dogs in your fiction?

In Hollow Kingdom, I write from the perspective of animals, many of whom have been inspired by real animals. One of the main characters is a bloodhound named Dennis, who I think in part was inspired by our family dog, Douglas. Douglas was a very special dog my mom rescued from drowning in a Singapore storm drain. I also once knew a Weimaraner named Raja who was hellbent on getting into trouble and I think young Dennis was a little inspired by him.

Cat, postman, squirrel…?

All of them. Squirrels are for chasing, even off-limits squirrels like my backyard buddy, Earl The Squirrel. Ewok has three cats at home, so by extension, this means that all the kitties in the world belong to him. He likes the mailman, but by thunder, if he hears the mail truck or worst still, a UPS truck, he goes bananas! I even introduced him to the UPS man to try and sort this prejudice out. Now he loves the UPS man, but the truck he drives—that truck is nefarious and cannot be trusted.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick…?

Squeaky toys—Justin Beaver, Lionel Richie, Bun DMC, and Mr. Blue.

Where is Ewok's favorite outdoor destination?

He likes to walk around the neighborhood and tries to convince me to walk into the homes of people we know (and sometimes those we don’t). He also loves kids and tries to follow them home. I have been trying to explain the human concept of “trespassing’ to him for quite some time.

Who is Ewok's best pet-pal?

China, the puggle. Also, sometimes Kabuki, the Siamese cat who raised him, but only sometimes. A lot of times, he’s biting her on her butt without provocation.

What is Ewok's best quality?

He makes everyone laugh everywhere he goes. Grown men giggle as he walks by, children squeal in delight. Everyone loves Ewok and it is a pleasure to see him spread so much joy (we have to factor in an additional twenty minutes anytime we go anywhere so people can fuss over him.)

If Ewok could change one thing about Seattleites, what would it be?

Their annoying habit of leaving their doors locked.

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

I’d ask him what adventures he’d like to go on (and then while I had his full attention, quickly add “your farts are neither dangerous or a conspiracy, dude, I promise”). I was going to say “I’d tell him how much I adore him”, but he already knows that.

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

Benedict Cumberbatch. There is no other option.

What advice would Ewok give if asked?

Enjoy your life. Make sure to sniff some flowers, sit in the sun, have a tasty snack, love the people in your life fiercely, and laugh a lot (Ewok has a great sense of humor and he’s all about hedonism). And for god sakes, keep your beard long and luscious.

Visit Kira Jane Buxton's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Jennifer Kincheloe & Monkey

Who is in the photo at right?

Monkey is a four-year-old Brussels Griffon mix. She’s a perfect angel, no matter what anyone says. (No, she did not bite that jogger.) I'm Jennifer Kincheloe, a public health research scientist turned writer of historical mysteries. My new Anna Blanc novel is The Woman in the Camphor Trunk.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

It’s the weekend.

What's brewing?

I buy green Ethiopian Yirgacheffe beans and roast them myself in a popcorn popper, grind, and brew them. These beans would blow your mind.

Any treats for you or Monkey on this occasion?

Greenies!

How were you and Monkey united?

It started in the 90s when my husband and I were first married. We were thinking about getting a dog. Our breed book had a picture of this creature who looked like Oscar the Grouch, but not much like a dog. It was kind of a running joke for us. We laughed about it for years. The breed was Brussels Griffon, and pretty rare in the west. I’d never actually seen one.

Fast forward to 2013. I saw Monkey on the Adopt a Pet website and wanted to make my husband laugh. So I woke up early so I could be at Petco at 6:00AM to wait in line for the adoption event. I sat on the dirty side walk for five hours with thirty or so hopeful dog-parents-to-be. When the event began, I nabbed her. My husband laughed and laughed, and we’ve been blissfully happy ever since.

Does Monkey do more to help or hinder your writing?

She’s good for historical research. Brussels Griffons were the “It Dogs” in the first century of the 1900s. Also, she keeps my blood pressure down.

Cat, postman, rabbit...?

Yes. Postmen beware.

Who is Monkey's best pet-pal?

Monkey doesn’t care for the company of other pets. She likes to scare my daughter’s dog, Buffy, who is a golden retriever.

What is Monkey's best quality?

Her devotion to me.

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

She’d want me to rub her tummy all the time instead of just half the time.

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

My daughter Samara would have to do it. She’s always talking in this funny “Monkey voice” attributing selfish attitudes and snotty dialogue to the dog. My daughter’s Monkey imitation is as funny as anything on the planet.

What advice would Monkey give if asked?

“Never get another dog.” She likes being the only one.

Visit Jennifer Kincheloe's website.

The Page 69 Test: The Woman in the Camphor Trunk.

--Marshal Zeringue

Joe and Cathy Connolly & Booth and Bailey

Whose in the photo at the right?

We are Joe and Cathy Connolly — both of us are retired from the Michigan Department of Natural Resource, Parks and Recreation Division.

This is a photo of us with our male German Shepherd Booth, who is 2-1/2 years old, and Bailey, our Brussels Griffon who is 10-1/2 years old.

Booth and Bailey really enjoy us being retired, more road trips for them and no time spent home alone while we're away at work.

Booth gets more time to play ball and run in the woods and Bailey gets more gardening time in.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a canine?

Planning out our play day with our furry kids.

What's brewing?

A big pot of strong French Roast coffee.

Any treats for you and your dogs on this occasion?

Oh Yes!! It is a must in this house, we all have "Honey Nut Cheerios" to start our day.

How did your dogs get their names?

Booth was named after the American novelist Booth Tarkington. He has many aliases some of which are Boopity Booth, and Goofy Boothy. Bailey got her name while we were driving 150 miles home with her and we were trying to figure out a cute name for her. Coming up to an overpass "Bailey Rd." we looked at each other and said Bailey! Then we asked her what she thought and she liked it! Her name was Wilma; she wasn't too fond of that. She too has many aliases, such as Monkey and Bay-Wee-Kins.

How were you and your dogs united?

Bailey. Cathy wanted a Monkey: we thought that wasn't such a good idea so we started looking for a small dog and ended up looking for a Brussels Griffon. When we found her she was 11 months old and had already had 5 homes — yes, 5 homes. The poor baby. She still, after 10 years, gets very worried going in the car for fear that she may be again going to another home and that we will leave her. Because of that we stay with her, for instance, when getting her teeth cleaned at the vets. When she wakes up her mom is holding her. Bless our vet for allowing this constant companionship.

We have always had German Shepherds. After the loss of our "Logan" and the big empty space that left in our house we naturally needed another one. Which always leads to a search of reputable breeders. After finding one it then becomes which child to pick. We chose Booth because of his independence: he didn't care what his littermates were doing, he was grazing grass!

Tell us briefly about your book "If I Should Die Before My Dog__".

Oftentimes when we consider the need to put our personal affairs in order we’re not entirely sure where to begin when we come to one subject near and dear to our hearts: our dogs. We worry and want them to have the best possible future—but where to begin? Theirs is a special case, one that doesn’t quite fit into any of the usual categories. Now, those worries and concerns can be alleviated in one easy-to-use volume that can give you peace of mind and your four-legged friend a comfortable, prepared-for future.

Our book is a comprehensive and interactive list of questions and information-gathering techniques; it will illuminate and help you capture all of the habits and personal information about your pet. It will supply a holistic, well-rounded picture of your dog that gives their new owner the information they need to provide a seamless transition with the utmost care and comfort. From nicknames to ancestry and medical history to microchip information, health insurance and much more, it explores the totality of your dog’s world that gives his or her new family all they need, from day one, to nurture and care for your loved one’s emotional and physical needs.

It is a helpful guide to creating a happy, loving life for your dog should unfortunate circumstances render you incapable of doing so, this book is as helpful as it is comforting. Full of intimate, specific details, it covers every aspect of your pet’s life with concern and care. Providing for the future of your dog while giving you peace of mind, “If I Should Die Before My Dog…” is your chance to revel in the joy of your dog’s life while giving him or her sound, love-filled future.

Rabbit, postman, cat?

For Bailey, none of the above — she spends her time outside "yelling" at Booth and sniffing the entire yard to find out who, what and when anything was in her yard.

Booth on the other hand, loves the postman and jumping into the UPS truck to check out what he has to deliver! Squirrels, birds anything that moves, he loves the chase but always stops short of the catch.

Squeaky toy, ball stick?

Bailey — tiny sticks and balls; for Booth — his favorite is his horse size Jolly Ball.

What's each dog's best quality?

Bailey — it's her unconditional love and devotion.

And for our boy Booth it is definitely his sense of humor!

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

When getting a pet to realize that it should be a "forever commitment" — one that lasts an animal's lifetime!

If Hollywood made a movie about your life in which your dogs could speak, which actors should do their voices?

Bailey — Sharon Osbourne, she's funny and has a true deep love for animals and she will argue with anyone if she finds it necessary.

Booth — Nick Nolte, he's a big lumbering kind of guy with a great sense of humor.

If your dogs could answer only one question in English, what would you ask them?

Bailey — what can we do to convince you that we would never give you away?

Booth — what makes you think we have mental telepathy? Because he just walks up and puts his big head on the table and stares at us as if we know what he's asking.

Visit the “If I Should Die Before My Dog…” website, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

--Marshal Zeringue