Andi Cumbo-Floyd & Bella, Boone and Meander

Who are in these photos? And what's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I'm Andi Cumbo-Floyd — writer, a teacher, an editor, and a reader.

Today, the pups and I are sharing coffee because, well, because it's today, and every day is a good day to spend with a dog. I've come out to the pasture — where Bella and Boone, the Great Pyrenees live — and Meander, our house dog, has wandered out, too, so we're all hanging out.... I'm trying to keep them from knocking the coffee mug out of my hands, and they are doing their best to show me just how much they love me. It's pretty awesome.

What's brewing?

Coffee today is just a drip brew from a regular old coffee pot that I start up first thing when I make the rounds to feed the farm animals — dogs included — every morning. Today, we're drinking Trager Brothers French Roast. Trager Brothers is an organic, fair trade, rainforest alliance roastery that is just a couple of mile from the farm here. I love their coffee, and I love that I can buy it from a garage-turned-roastery in my town.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

No treats for me today, but just for this occasion, I did give each pooch a rawhide chewy (I know, I know, some of you hate them, but our dogs love them). Boone has already buried his down the hill under the brush. Bella is chewing hers inside one of the goat houses, and Meander has abandoned hers for now because a chewy does not compete with the joy of other dogs.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Meander got her name because I have always wanted to have a big pack of dogs named for words that mean "to walk slowly." So she is Meander, sometimes Mander, sometimes Mander Pander, sometimes Super Mander Pander, sometimes Super, and sometimes Soupy — we believe in going long and short with nicknames here.

Boone got his name because a farm supporter, Chris, took to heart our initial idea of having an American West theme for our pasture, so Boone is named after Daniel Boone. I often call him Boonedoggle.

Bella's name came because I wanted to have another B to match Boone, and because I always loved that show Belle And Sebastian when I was a kid. The dog in that show was a Great Pyr, too. Her nickname is Bella Bear.

How were you and your dogs united?

I adopted Meander from the local SPCA, just a mile from the farm. Boone and Bella were both adopted from other farms because they had spent time with goats and come from lines of guard dogs.

How do your dogs help--or hinder--your writing?

Since I had to take a break before answering this question to let Meander in the house, there's one thing — Meander likes to go in and out a lot. But mostly, all three of them help me find joy in a hard day ... and they give me so much unhindered affection, which is something that doesn't always come with the writing life. Second only to my husband, dad, and in-laws, they are — with the goats and cats — my biggest fans. For the record, our chickens are ambivalent about my existence period, much less as a writer.

Have any actual dogs inspired fictional dogs in your writing?

You know, I don't write much fiction, but even in the novel I'm working on now, a dog doesn't appear. And that's interesting because I've had dogs — big dogs — most of my life. I'll have to ponder that one.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

I guess I haven't really written much about animals in my books at all, although horses do come in — in a minor way — in The Slaves Have Names.

Who are your dogs' best pet-pals?

Well, Bella and Boone live with our goats, so those guys are all buddies, but really, they are each others' best friends. They frolic, in the fullest sense of the word, together all over the pasture, wrestling and tussling. It's heart-warming.

And I am Meander's best pal. She and I are especially bonded, so where I am, she is usually there.... She likes my husband, Philip a lot, too.

What is each dog's best quality?

Meander is intensely loyal to me, and I love that. I've never had that kind of dog companion, and it's great.

The puppies — well, we don't really know their full-grown personalities yet — but they are great guards. Boone barks and heads toward an intruder, Bella retreats to the goats and guards them. They make a great pair.

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

That's a great question, and I don't know if our dogs would think that way - as in think of people as Virginians. We don't think that way — we just love people — all people — when they come to visit here, no matter where they are from, what they believe — and I'd like to think our dogs take people in that way, too. In fact, I think they're probably better at it than we are.

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

Boone would definitely be played by John Goodman.

Bella would be Hilary Swank.

And Meander would be Juliette Lewis.

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

What makes you the most happy?

Visit Andi Cumbo-Floyd's website, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

—Marshal Zeringue

Giano Cromley & Kaiya and Tanka

Who is in the photo at right?

From left to right: Kaiya, 12-year-old female, black lab mix: Giano Cromley, 40-year-old male, writer; Tanka, 5-year-old male, great pyrenees.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Robust Coffee Shop is the go-to coffee spot for Woodlawn, so we make a point of stopping by almost every morning. For the dogs, it's a brief layover on their morning walk. For me, it's a necessary pitstop in order to face the day.

What's brewing?

My morning drink of choice is a triple-shot Americano, black. On especially good days, the barista adds a fourth shot for free.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

The pups don't get treats during their walks. They usually get a snack either right before or right after. Lately, their treats have veered toward the eerily naturalistic: chicken feet, duck feet, rabbit ears -- which look exactly like they sound and are a little freaky to handle. But the dogs eat them up like potato chips, so I've mostly gotten over my squeamishness.

How were you and your dogs united?

My wife adopted Kaiya from an animal shelter in Charlotte, North Carolina. When my wife and I moved in together, I became Kaiya's de facto father. We adopted Tanka from Great Pyrenees Rescue of Central Illinois last year after we lost our beloved chow-retriever mix, Niko. It was a difficult, emotional time and we were unsure how Kaiya would react to a new brother, but Tanka went right up to her and introduced himself. We knew they'd be a good match, and they've been great together ever since.

How did Kaiya and Tanka get their names? Any aliases?

Kaiya got her name the moment my wife first laid eyes on her in the back of the shelter kennel. It was the name she felt this gangly puppy deserved. And it fits her perfectly. Tanka (rhymes with Wonka) is from the Lakota Sioux word for "great" or "large." Since he weighed in at 120 pounds when we first adopted him, it seemed to make sense. As for aliases, Kaiya is sometimes referred to as "Tiny Dancer" because she frequently tap dances across the floor as she eagerly awaits her meals. Tanka occasionally goes by "White Avalanche" because when he wants to do something, he's a force of nature.

Have Kaiya and Tanka inspired any dogs in your fiction?

The most significant dog in my novel, The Last Good Halloween, is a Schnauzer named Mr. T, who was largely inspired by my childhood dog, Mandee, a loyal Scottish terrier. The protagonist of my novel, Kirby Russo, is a troubled 15-year-old who feels at odds with pretty much everyone he meets. His relationship with Mr. T is the most positive and productive one in his life.

Do your dogs do more to help or to hinder your writing?

My dogs do a couple things that help me with my writing. First of all, they insist on a schedule, which helps give a framework to my day. A nice long walk every morning enables me to clear my mind and get a little blood pumping. Second of all, they'll frequently laze around my office while I'm writing, which makes me feel like I have an audience. While they're not really helping me write, I'd like to think they're contributing ideas, which is a nice way of saying I just enjoy having the company.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Here on the South Side of Chicago, we have an abundance of wildlife for the dogs to get excited by, including rabbits, squirrels, cats, raccoons, possums, field mice, ducks, geese, and even a coyote or two. Pretty much anything that moves is fair game, literally.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Kaiya loves a good stick to chew on. Tanka doesn't have an interest in any toys at all.

Do Kaiya and Tanka have a favorite place to go for outings?

We're lucky enough to live close to Lake Michigan, so we get over there at least twice a week. The beaches have an endless amount of stuff to sniff and taste and roll around in. Kaiya loves swimming in the water to fetch sticks. Tanka's afraid to go much deeper than six to eight inches, but he greatly enjoys trying to drink the lake dry -- unsuccessfully thus far.

Who are your dogs' best pet-pals?

Our dogs have a number of friends in the neighborhood who they get to say hi to on their walks. Henrietta is a pitbull mix who they enjoy visiting with on a frequent basis. And our neighbors have a fox terrier mix named Vida with whom they'll regularly exchange pleasantries and sniffs.

What is each dog's best quality?

Kaiya is loving and open to everyone. Tanka is patient and willing to absorb an incredible amount of cuddles.

If Kaiya and Tanka could change one thing about Chicagoans, what would it be?

No question, the single biggest thing they would change about Chicagoans is the amount of salt they use on the sidewalks in the winter. It's hard on their paws.

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

To Kaiya: How can I make you more comfortable?

To Tanka: What do you plan to do with that duck/goose/cat/squirrel if you ever actually catch it?

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

Right now, my wife does voices for both of them. But if I had to hire Hollywood actors to do it, I'd go with Amy Poehler for Kaiya and James Earl Jones for Tanka.

Visit Giano Cromley's website, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

--Marshal Zeringue

Susan Bordo & Sean and Dakota

Who is in the photo at right?

The three creatures fighting over the coffee cup are (in order of self-importance): Sean, my four year old male Havanese; Susan Bordo (that would be me, author and teacher); and Dakota, our one-year-old female Great Pyrenees/Border Collie mix.

What's brewing?

First cup: French Roast or Espresso, made on my Keurig (an invention I bless every morning.) That’s the wake-up cup, and I drink it watching either Morning Joe or (if Joe Scarborough gets me too angry) one of the DVRs of Bravo shows from the night before. My doggies on either side of me. The rest of the morning it’s usually half-caf.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Sean and I have a regular early morning ritual, organized around the first cup of coffee I make (the blast-my-eyes open cup). As soon as I head for the Keurig, he jumps off the couch, toddles over to me, puts his paws up on my legs and looks beseechingly/adoringly. That’s my signal to pick him up and put him on my shoulder, the way I used to carry him around when he was a baby. As soon as the coffee is ready, I put him down, ruffle his fur a little, add my seasonings, and we head for the couch together, where Dakota is waiting. (By the way, the cup you see in the Keurig has an image of the cover of my most recent book; I have availed myself of zazzle to get my whole life decorated in this shamelessly self-promoting way.)

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

Doggies get their treats after they have done their stuff in the backyard or on a walk. Right now, it’s walks because we have a nest of bunnies in the backyard who Dakota thinks are doggy-toys. They get Milk-bones. I get another cup of coffee.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Sean is a purebred and was named that by his breeder; we liked it, and just kept it. Dakota is a rescue, and my daughter Cassie named her. For perverse reasons of her own, she sometimes calls her “Puff”—which is the last thing she looks like. Sean is my baby, and I sometimes call him “Seannie” or “Sean Baby”.

How were you and your dogs united?

Sean: After our precious Jack Russell Vinnie died, we eventually stopped crying and started looking for another dog. At that time, Jenny our beloved border collie (who lived to be 18!!) was still with us, and her vote counted a lot. We took her around to the local shelters, and she growled at every doggie we put her with. But we knew she would get along with a Havanese, as my sister had two that Jenny had spent some time with. So we sprang for the big bucks, found a great breeder, and waited patiently for Sean’s mom to give birth.

Dakota: Cassie (now fourteen) loves Sean, but wanted a big dog—the bigger the better—of her own. She is of the “If I can’t wrestle with it or ride it, what use is it?” school of pets. I wasn’t so certain. Then, one day, Cassie and I were riding home from the mall and saw a dog right in the middle of traffic, seemingly about to get hit. We careened into a nearby driveway (bashing the side of my car on a trash can en route) and she ran out to the road to rescue the dog. He had a collar and tag, so we called the owner, who promptly came to get him. Having been raised by a very superstitious father who saw omens in the most pedestrian events, I felt this incident was telling me something, so next morning I started looking online at local shelters. As soon as I saw Dakota’s picture (I think she was called Rosie at that point) I knew she was the one. And she is, she is!

Do your dogs do more to help or to hinder your writing?

I’ve learned to ignore the barking at whatever/whomever passes by the front of our house, but the mommy in me is torn when I know that they’ve been inside for too long. If I’m on a writing roll, and my daughter or husband isn’t around, it’s a toss up as to whether the paragraph or the doggies come first.

Squirrel, postman, cat....?

Sean believes the mail carrier is a terrible threat to our safety—unless he/she actually is let in the door, at which point all is well. Dakota loves everything and everyone, and wants to jump up/knock down/put her mouth on/fondle anything that comes into view. They are both, shall we say…interactive doggies?

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

Dakota likes to run after things and sometimes will bring them back, but especially enjoys anything with stuffing that can be “killed” and scattered all over the house. Sean is fairly indifferent to anything that isn’t actually edible. He is embarrassed by Dakota’s lack of discrimination.

What is each dog's best quality?

Sean: Unique mixture of cuddliness and refinement.

Dakota: Sweet beyond belief. You’ve seen the movie Marley and Me? That’s Dakota.

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

They think I’m perfect—which is of course, a major reason why I love them.

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

Sean: Jesse Eisenberg.

Dakota: Sandra Bullock.

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

What are you thinking?

Visit Susan Bordo's official The Creation of Anne Boleyn website.

My Book, The Movie: The Creation of Anne Boleyn.

--Marshal Zeringue

Marianne Wesson & Mo and Amos

Who is in the photo at right?

Amos is a rescue Great Pyrenees. He’s only nine, but showing serious signs of age. Sadly, these big dogs don’t live for that long. Amos is the third Pyrenees we’ve owned. For a long time we tried to keep a pair as guard dogs; we keep llamas, and there are mountain lions active in our neighborhood. Ivan and Misty are no longer with us, but Amos remains, although now retired from guard duty. He was never much of threat to the predators anyway, poor sweet guy. It became clear after we brought him home that he had experienced terrible abuse, and he’s frightened of almost everything. He’s affectionate with us and few frequent visitors, but mostly he hides when anyone or anything unfamiliar shows up. Our other dog is Mo, a seven-year old mutt; he’s mostly Wheaton Terrier, we think.

I'm Marianne Wesson, law professor, novelist, and author of the new book, A Death at Crooked Creek: The Case of the Cowboy, the Cigarmaker, and the Love Letter.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

What do you mean, occasion? It’s morning, of course. Comes around every day. Morning without caffeine is not to be contemplated, not by me, anyway. When it’s sunny, I try to drink a cup outdoors on our ranch. The big rocks you see catch the morning sun and warm up beautifully. Amos [with Misty and llamas, photo left] was willing to join me on this occasion, but you can tell he’s not all that happy about it. I rarely have morning coffee anywhere but at home—we live about ten miles (five of them dirt road) from the nearest coffee shop. You might find me at one in the afternoon, but by then I’m ready to switch from the coffee to something more soothing.

What's brewing?

I make coffee for myself one cup at a time, in a Keurig coffeemaker with a reusable K-cup. Lately I’ve been filling it with Starbucks French Roast. I know some people say it tastes burnt, but I guess I like it that way.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

Just the coffee for me, and the sunshine for both of us.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Mo [photo right] was named by my husband Ben; his real name is Monster. Ben had just gotten a Ducati Monster motorcycle and was very infatuated with it. But the dog lasted much longer than the bike, and these days we just call him Mo. Or Mojo, Mo-man, and any other stupid two-syllable name that starts with Mo-. Or Mope, when he is wearing that dejected dog look like he is just so very disappointed.

Amos is named in a tradition of rechristening the Pyrenees after we get them home from the rescue shelter. His name was Aramis, like the Musketeer (and the aftershave). But that was just way too pompous a name for a ranch dog, so we tried to find a better name that would sound enough like Aramis that he’d know we were talking to him. (He’s deaf now, so it probably doesn't matter what we call him. Unless he can lip-read, which is possible.) We had to go through something similar with Misty, whose shelter name was Christy, but that is also Ben’s ex-wife’s name and he thought the human Christy would be furious if she heard we had a dog with her name, so we changed it to Misty. Misty caught right on.

How were you and your dogs united?

Mo came from the Longmont, Colorado Humane Society, brought home by a very happy Ben. I brought Amos  home, after many preliminaries, from Great Pyrenees Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc., outside of Colorado Springs: a wonderful organization.

How do your animals help--and how do they hinder--your writing?

Writers can be emotional wrecks sometimes, at least this one can, and I’m sure they act as therapy animals. My new book, A Death at Crooked Creek, took me ten years to research, write, revise, and publish. At least five dogs served as my confidantes over that time. They don’t really hinder—Ben is really the animal care specialist here anyway.

Squirrel, postman, cat....?

Our mail is delivered five miles down the road, so that’s not an issue. There’s one squirrel that Mo hates with a steaming passion, and he goes berserk when he sees this rodent through the window. We’ve learned not to let him out to chase the trespasser because he’s come back with his footpads full of cactus spines that he picked up while in hot pursuit. We have four cats (two house, two barn) who have their own issues, but they tolerate the dogs and the dogs are fond of them. Mo [as a puppy, photo right] sometimes gets excited by the local wildlife, especially the elk and wild turkeys, but he doesn't rally want to chase them, just bark.

Who are your dogs' best pet-pals?

Each other. They don’t really see too many other dogs because of where we live. Mo does have a couple of buddies among my friends’ dogs, who come to visit occasionally.

What is each dog's best quality?

Mo: likes to stand on his head.

Amos: sweetness.

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

Amos [with Freckles the llama, photo left] would actually prefer that there be no people in the state except for me and Ben. Mo would like for every Coloradan to send him a chewy, and is so very disappointed this has not happened.

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

Amos: Robert Duvall.

Mo: Billy Crystal.

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

Mo: What is your deal?

Amos: (same).

Visit Marianne Wesson's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Heather Huffman & Kali, Charlie, Shoeshine and Po

Who is in the photo at right?

I’m Heather Huffman, author of seven romantic suspense novels. My latest, Devil in Disguise, was released in June.

My family lives on a small homestead in the Missouri Ozarks, where we’re attempting to become more self sufficient. Our dogs are both our beloved pets and an essential part of the farm.

Kali is a six-month-old female Anatolian Shepherd/Great Pyrenees named after a character from my novel Jailbird.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Our dogs are LGDs (Livestock Guardian Dogs); their primary job is to guard the homestead. Since predators are most active at night, that’s their busiest time of day. In the morning after my boys are off to school, I let them in so we can enjoy a coffee break together.

What's brewing?

Yuban coffee because it’s Rainforest Alliance certified, with a dash of sugar and a splash of French vanilla creamer.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

Does the heater count?

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Charlie [photo left] and Kali are both named after my favorite book couple. Charlie is a four-year-old Newfoundland/Lab mix.

Our newest additions are two Great Pyrenees/Corgi cross puppies named Shoeshine, after Underdog, and Po, after Kung Fu Panda.

How were you and your dogs united?

Charlie was adopted from a shelter when we still lived in suburban St. Louis and happily turned out to be an amazing farm dog. Kali was a gift from my sister. Shoeshine and Po [photo right] came to us when a friend took in a Great Pyrenees only to find out she was pregnant by a Corgi.

Do your dogs have any influence on your writing?

They certainly influence my productivity! How can you resist the “love me” eyes? Many of my characters have dogs, so my affection for them definitely comes through in my novels!

Rabbit, postman, cat....?

Trash man. Kali flipped out the first time she saw the trash man emptying our bin. I told her to calm down and she kept giving me this look that clearly said, “But Mom, he’s stealing the stuff in that big black box!”

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

Stick, all the way. Squeaky toys and balls are a light snack for my dogs. Every so often I get them a toy because I want to spoil them. Within minutes, it’s shredded and I’m picking up little pieces from all over my yard.

What is each dog's best quality?

I love that Charlie is intensely loyal to the entire family. He sleeps in the hallway so he can equally protect all of his people. He’s so stoic and rarely expressive, but when it’s just me and him, I can see the complete and total adoration in his face.

I love to watch Kali joyfully bound through the pasture; her zeal for life and her love for her home is catching. I think it’s amazing that even at six months old, and despite her happy-go-lucky demeanor, she never hesitates to protect those under her watch, and she’s good at what she does.

I love to watch the puppies’ different personalities develop. Po is a total couch potato and he’d rather be inside with Charlie, guarding the people. Also like Charlie, he comes across as aloof to a stranger. Now that he’s figured out we’re his, he graces us with that same look of adoration.

Shoeshine [photo left] is rambunctious and fearless. He has an amazing puppy smile and he’s incredibly smart. When I took him outside for his first training session, he watched me for a minute until he figured out what I was doing (herding ducks) before falling in line beside me to help as if we did that together every morning.

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

The amount of time I spend in front of the computer.

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

Hmm… Charlie would be Liam Neeson, Kali should be Anne Hathaway, Po should probably be Jack Black in keeping with his name, and Johnny Depp as Shoeshine.

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

Because Kali spends a large portion of her time curled up on her “perch” (a lawn chair) watching over the homestead, I’d love to ask her what’s going through her mind as she watches them.

Visit Heather Huffman's website and blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Dan Macon & the Flying Mule Farm dogs

What's the story of the Flying Mule Farm dogs?

At Flying Mule Farm, our dogs are more than just pets – they are our everyday partners! As commercial sheep producers, we rely on our border collies [photo right--Mo, who’s 4; Taff, who’s 9; and Ernie, who’s 2; with Dan Macon] to help us manage our 400 sheep efficiently and humanely. We rely on our livestock guardian dogs (Buck – 8; Reno – 3; and Rosie – 1) to protect our sheep from predators!

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Most days, I make my first check of the sheep with Ernie, Mo and Taff early in the morning. Around mid-morning, we usually head into town (Auburn) for an iced coffee at Java Detour – a drive-thru coffee spot. We all like Java Detour because the ladies always have treats for the dogs, and they always have my coffee ready for me when I get to the window! All three dogs sit up in the back seat when we get to the window – they want to make sure the ladies know they’re with me!

What are your dogs' tasks on the farm?

Buck [photo left], a Great Pyrenees/Anatolian mix, is in charge of our security division. As the senior livestock guardian dog, he’s responsible for protecting the ewes while they are lambing. Since he’s nearing retirement age (which means he’ll get to move home and spend his days on the back porch), he’s training Reno (an Anatolian shepherd) as his replacement. Rosie (an Anatolian/Akbash cross), our newest addition, is still a pup, but she’s already responsible for protecting 200 ewes from coyotes, mountain lions and stray dogs. Our guardian dogs do an amazing job – we’ve not lost any sheep to predators in seven years! These dogs live with the sheep around the clock – they view themselves as the alpha dog in a pack of sheep!

Taff is definitely the alpha dog in our border collie pack, although he’s by far the most benevolent ruler I’ve ever been around – he’s so mellow we call him the “Buddha collie.”

Mo [photo right] is Mr. Happy-Go-Lucky – if there’s no sheep work to be done, he loves chasing bird shadows and butterflies. Ernie is the joker of the bunch – his favorite hobby is chewing on garden hoses (he’s usually the only one who laughs at his “jokes”).

Taff came to us through our friend and fellow shepherd Ellen Skillings. We purchased him as a trained 4-year-old. Ernie and Mo are half brothers out of Ellen’s dog Emer – we got them both as puppies. Our oldest daughter, Lara, started Mo’s herding training. Our youngest daughter, Emma, shares Ernie with me. All three dogs live to work – they absolutely love to herd sheep. Because we rely on our dogs to accomplish our work, our relationship with each of them is far more rewarding than any “pet” relationship we’ve ever had – they are our partners in the truest sense of the word.

Of the three, Mo is easily the most talented. When I need to do something complicated (like load sheep into the trailer without the benefit of a pen), I always turn to Mo.

Taff has the biggest heart – he may not have Mo’s talent, but he never quits. Ernie is just beginning his working career, but I think he’ll combine Mo’s athleticism with Taff’s stamina.

[Reno, photo left]

What have you learned from your dogs?

If you asked my dogs, they’d tell you that they are trying to teach me to be patient and observant. They see and sense things when we’re working sheep that I sometimes miss.

I’m learning to pay attention to what they’re trying to tell me when we’re working – they speak human better than I speak dog at this point!

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

If a movie were made about Flying Mule Farm (maybe a reality show instead – Extreme Sheepherding!), I think Sean Connery would be perfect for Taff’s voice!

Hugh Grant would do Mo’s voice, while Ernie would definitely be played by Jim Carrey!

[Rosie, photo right]

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

Finally, I’d love to be able to ask my dogs where they prefer to ride – in the cab or in the back of the truck!

Visit the Flying Mule Farm website, blog, and Facebook page.

--Marshal Zeringue

Jennifer Talbot Ross & Pax, Samantha, and Bess

Who is in the photo at right?

Is it the dog whisperer? No, that’s me, Jennifer Talbot Ross (a people mom and grandmother, a dog mom, a people manager in my fulltime job, and an aspiring writer), with my four-legged crew. My sweet dogs are Pax (the big, white, Great Pyrenees) who’s the baby of the pack at 4 years old; Samantha (the Anatolian Shepherd identified by the painted face) who will be 9 in a few short weeks; and Bess (the black Lab) who is the matriarch of the family and is 9 ½ years old.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

It’s wind-down time at the end of a busy day. Pax abhors riding in the car, so our favorite relaxation time is spent in our back yard. Our home is on just over an acre and the entire back yard is fenced so they have plenty of room to enjoy. The yard boasts trees for shade and wildlife for entertainment.

What's brewing?

On this warm spring day, it’s definitely iced coffee (the only choice for me when it’s 90 degrees outside).

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

Absolutely!! The dogs are enjoying roasted lamb treats. Both Pax and Samantha have allergies so we have to be very selective about treats. They love the roasted lamb and also sweet potato chews.

How were you and your dogs united?

Bess I found in a classified ad in the newspaper. I had lost my 14-year-old black Labrador just five days earlier and was furtively looking for a female black lab puppy. We visited the owners of the litter and out of two female puppies, Bess claimed me.

Samantha we found on petfinder.com. We were searching for a playmate for Bess and that precious painted face reached out to us. She was with a foster mom, having been rescued the day before her scheduled euthanasia. We took Bess with us to meet her and the two got along beautifully. We had to leave Samantha with her foster mom for several weeks while she completed her treatment for kennel cough and was spade. Then we were able to bring her home.

Pax was a foster of ours. The rescue group, SPIN, had a litter of puppies that needed to be fostered. They were asking “foster parents” to take two puppies each. We signed up for two males who, at that time, were known as Falcor and Big Al. Big Al was adopted by a couple in Denver and became Wilson. Falcor became so special to us that we could not let him go. So, he stayed with us, we became what is known in pet rescue circles as “foster failures” and Falcor became our Pax.

How did they get their names? Any aliases?

Pet names are really important to me. They must hold special meaning, be symbolic or intrinsic. When I got Bess I had noticed the name on the petfinder.com website and liked it, but it didn’t hold any meaning for me. My mother suggested we name her Besame Mucho (her AKC registered name) and then call her Bess. Besame Mucho means “kiss me a lot”, basically, in Spanish. That I liked and Bess was named. We also call her “Bess the Mess” because she has over-the-top personality and attitude and likes to play tricks on her humans and her four-legged siblings.

Samantha was listed on petfinder.com as a Saint Bernard puppy. So, we thought we were going to have this huge dog when she grew up. We wanted a feminine name, but one that would be fitting for a great big dog. A friend’s daughter suggested we name her Samantha and we could call her “Sam”. And, so Samantha was named. However, she never grew into a “Sam” and we have never called her “Sam”. She is still, truly a “Samantha” in every way. I sometimes call her “Samantha-girl” or “Samantha-bantha”, but you see the tendency here is toward the “prissy” side. And so she is.

Pax [photo left] came to us from the rescue group as “Falcor”, the foster. He remained Falcor for the first several months of his life. But, when we made the decision to adopt him, I told my husband we had to rename him. There was no way I could see myself standing at the back door calling out, “Falcor”, at the top of my lungs. My husband told me that he had a German shepherd dog named Pax when he was a young man and he liked the name as it was Latin for peace. That seemed like a really appropriate name for a big guy who was going to be incorporated into a pack of 4 large dogs. He’d better be like “peace”. And, as I look back over the years, he has truly lived up to his name.

Please tell us about Moses, the subject of your new book.

Moses [photo right] was a truly exceptional, gentle-giant who stole my heart, along with the hearts of all whom he met. His “joie de vivre” was unmatched. He was the first Great Pyrenees dog I’d ever known, which makes him even more special to me. His loss, though heart-wrenching, gave me the inspiration to write the book. And the book, in turn, is a vehicle by which Moses’ legacy can continue to be a blessing, as 10% of my royalties are donated to pet rescue.

What role have your dogs played in your writing routine?

The dogs have, so far, been my muses. Though the only book I’ve published is about my dogs, I have some ideas in the works for some fiction endeavors. They will, no doubt, involve dogs. I’ve also been asked when the sequel to The Story of Moses will be ready. In addition to being a source of inspiration, I find the dogs help to ground me, to keep me in the moment, which is extremely helpful when trying to get those creative juices flowing.

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

Their absolute favorite place, for each one, is a walk in the neighborhood. Samantha and Bess like going for rides and enjoy visiting PetsMart and just about anywhere other than the vet’s office. But, if we’re talking “favorite”, it’s definitely walking the neighborhood. I am fairly confident (though I would not put this to the test) that they all know their way around the neighborhood as well. We have several routes that we take. Most of our walks are one-mile routes. But, when we have time we circle the entire neighborhood for a total of two miles. They know the turns we take. The dogs love walks because they experience all the smells along the way that tell them who’s been there and interesting tid-bits like that. Often, they get the added perk of visiting with neighbors and, oh, just anybody along the way, getting pets and smiles and hugs from kids and adults alike.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

My dogs are definitely more interested in the squirrel (or a rabbit). We have loads of huge red oak and live oak trees in the back yard that are prolific bearers of acorns – hence lots of squirrels. The squirrels are daring and quick and I dare say are often taunting the dogs. And, the dogs love it. Sometimes, they lie inside with their heads resting on the windowsill and a keen eye on the back yard. If a squirrel moves, they’re up and out the door after it. There are also lots of wild rabbits that live in the woods at the back of our neighbor’s property and venture into our yard at times. The dogs love chasing them too and, luckily, the rabbits are amazingly fast.

What is each dog's best quality?

Well, all three dogs are extremely intelligent. But, Pax – his best quality is his gentle, loving spirit. He truly loves every dog, every person he meets. Loyalty (a discerning nature) would be Bess’s best quality, I think. She would walk through fire for me or for her daddy. Of that, I’m sure. She doesn’t readily accept just anyone, she is cautious. She is very aware that infants are to be protected and will put herself between someone or between other dogs if she feels they are threatening to an infant. Samantha is an innate and vigilant guardian, constantly circling the yard, attentively watching, who absolutely adores children.

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

I think they’d want me to be some sort of 6-handed being that never had to go anywhere so I would always be with them and it would be really easy to pet all of them at one time. On a more serious note, I am very, very close to my dogs (some would find it rather eccentric or odd I’m sure). I talk to them a lot. And, I’m convinced that on a certain level they understand much of what I say. Because of this close bond, my dogs are very sensitive to my moods. I know they don’t like it when I’m angry or sad – it actually upsets them. So, they would surely rather that I was more balanced in mood, more able to stay in the moment, and more unconditionally loving and happy – more like them J.

What is each dog's proudest moment? His/her most embarrassing?

Bess was a young pup when our first grandchild, Emma, was born. Emma came to visit when she was about 10 months old and we were concerned about how the dogs would be with Emma, given they had never been around any small children. So, needless to say, we were very watchful of Emma around the dogs. As was our ritual, after dinner each dog received a rawhide chew. Bess was enjoying her rawhide on the floor of the living room and Emma toddled up to her, reached out and took the chew from Bess’s mouth. Bess just sat there, unmoving, patiently watching Emma. After a moment or two, Emma gave the rawhide back to Bess, who resumed her enjoyment. That exhibition of character was Bess’s proudest moment.

Bess does not have embarrassing moments – she is completely unflappable. However, MY most embarrassing moment with Bess was when she made big potty (and you know that that means) in the middle of PetsMart (and she wasn’t a cute puppy at the time – she definitely knew better).

Within the first few weeks of having Samantha in our family, I lost a pair of sunglasses out in the back yard. I had given them up for gone. Then, one day young Samantha (only about 5 months old at the time) came bounding through the dog-door into the house, ran up to me and deposited the sunglasses at my feet. She gazed up into my eyes, tail wagging enthusiastically, and looking as proud as ever that she had found my lost glasses.

Samantha had extensive knee surgery (TPLO – tibia plateau leveling osteopathy) when she was a youngster. They actually saw the leg in two with a bone saw and reattach the knee with steel plates and screws. Needless to say she had a big incision to heal and a very long, arduous recovery. For the first week of recovery, until the incision was healed and the staples removed, Samantha had to wear one of those awful, evil, plastic cone-things on her head. Now, not only do those horrible devices make it difficult for a dog to move around (they run into the walls, furniture, etc.) and even to walk or potty (try sniffing for the perfect bathroom spot outside with a plastic cone on your head that gets caught on the grass and practically throws you head over heels), I swear they know they look stupid and are so very embarrassed by it. Samantha was mortified the entire time she had to wear it.

Last autumn, our local Pyrenees rescue group (SPIN – Saving Pyrenees in Need) had their annual “Pyr Picnic in the Park” in conjunction with the local Pyrenees AKC group. At the picnic, a “fun match” was held mimicking the conformation matches typical of the AKC. The dogs were divided into groups by age and by gender and judged on how closely they matched the standards for the Great Pyrenees breed. Our sweet little Pax went “Best in Show”. He won two blue ribbons and a special chew toy. The crowd cheered when he was selected and he looked up at me and beamed. He was indeed proud.

Pax, though a giant in his own right, has a peculiar and embarrassing trait (and one that my vet whispered to Pax that he would never tell). Pax is terrified of the wind. If it’s a windy day Pax does not like going out to potty. If he’s outside in the yard and the wind picks up ferociously (like just before a storm) he comes running inside. As windy as it tends to be here in north Texas, you’d think it would be something he’d acclimate to. But, no, not Pax – I don’t think that’s in the cards.

Read more about Jennifer Talbot Ross's The Story of Moses.

--Marshal Zeringue

Karen Ramstead & her dogs

Who is in the photo at right?

My name is Karen Ramstead and I am a 'professional' dog musher. I have around 65 purebred Siberian Huskies (aged anywhere from 6 months to 15 years), a Great Pyr rescue, and a neurotic little border collie.

I had 16 dogs with me today - Jinx and Casey, See and Meg, Smartie and Boo, Kelly and Tramp, Wolvie and Crunchie, Wifi and Utin, Astro and TopDog, Roscoe and Shooter!

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Taking a break on a training run. At this time of year I am running dogs about 6 days a week on runs anywhere from 25 - 40 miles.

What's brewing?

On the trail anything tastes good as long as it is warm. I think this was Folger's Black Silk drip coffee. If I had my druthers it would be a Starbuck's nonfat venti latte, but there seems to be a lack of Starbucks in the woods of Northern Alberta, Canada.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

Not today, although I occasionally pack along a granola bar when the runs are really long.

Any treat for your dogs on this occasion?

Not today, although on long runs their favorite snack is a whole frozen herring!

How were you and your dogs united?

All but one of the dogs on my team today were born in my house!!

How did the dogs get their names? Any aliases?

All the litters are named in 'themes' - Crunchie is out of our 'Chocolate Bar' litter, Jinx out of the 'James Bond' litter, Smartie the 'candy' litter, Astro out of the 'cartoon' litter....

Oh yes, a million nicknames and aliases - most of them embarrassing to mushers and rough tough sled dogs.

What's the most challenging part of the Iditarod? The most fun?

I think the most challenging part is maintaining a positive attitude regardless of how tired and beat up you get on the trail. The dogs pick up on your attitude, so being positive is very important.

The most fun is watching these dogs that I watched being born and taking their first steps rise to the challenge to become these amazing, capable athletes that are completely at home in the harsh environment and the task at hand. I am constantly in awe of them!

Have you ever encountered polar bears during a race?

No. Although there are occasionally polar bears in the area, there is no documented cases of mushers encountering them on the trail. I have seen wolves, foxes, caribou and moose. Moose are the most dangerous animal we encounter, as they will often stand and fight rather then give up the trail to a dog team.

Do you have an off-season, or do the dogs train all year?

The dogs train year around - although we never train when temperatures go above 10C.

Do your dogs' have pet-pals that aren't huskies?

Yes. We have a Great Pyr cross, Cricket, that protects the kennel and keeps wildlife at bay - and Bet, a crazy little border collie (who was a flunk out from a top herding kennel) that free runs puppies with us and holds down the couch.

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

They would probably wish I was as tough and capable as they are. I have no illusions, I am the weak link on my team. They are much more amazing creatures then I could ever hope to be!

What is your team's proudest achievement?

No one thing stands out. I'm proud of our Iditarod finishes, for sure, but I'm also proud when get through a tough storm or overcome difficult obstacles in training.

Learn more about Karen Ramstead and her dogs at the North Wapiti Kennels website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Carrie Jones & Tala

Who is in the photo at right?

This is Tala, 5, Great Pyr. She barks.

I am Carrie, way older than 5. I write.

We are both communicators.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

It’s We Saw A Bobcat Day.

What's brewing?

Unfortunately, I can’t have coffee or caffeine, so we are drinking Postum (our last jar), which is a liquid cereal drink made out of grain.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

Strudel and Snausages.

Any treat for Tala on this occasion?

Strudel and Snausages. We like to share.

How did you and Tala come together?

We met in Western Maine. She was rolling around on the grass, drooling. It was love at first sight.

How has Tala influenced your writing?

She makes me wake up in the morning. Without her I would just stay in bed and nothing would ever get done.

How did Tala get her name?

It means wolf. She sort of looks like a wolf. Um… Okay. That’s stretching it.

Who is Tala's best pet-pal?

Logan, Renee Sweet’s dog. They interview each other.

What's Tala's best quality?

She is a lover not a fighter.

What's Tala's proudest moment so far? Her most embarrassing?

Scaring away the bear.

Barking at Scotty, her new brother, and making him pee on the fake Christmas tree out of sheer fear.

Or maybe the time we put the pink tutu and tiara on her.

Carrie Jones graduated from Vermont College’s MFA program for writing. She has edited newspapers and poetry journals and has won awards from the Maine Press Association and also been awarded the Martin Dibner Fellowship as well as a Maine Literary Award.

Her books include Girl, Hero, Love (and Other Uses for Duct Tape), Tips on Having a Gay (Ex) Boyfriend, and Need.

Visit Carrie Jones' website and LiveJournal.

--Marshal Zeringue