Mark Edward Langley & Lady Cora

Who is in the photo at right?

Why it’s Author Mark Edward Langley and his two-year-old Cockapoo, Lady Cora!

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

We hardly ever go out for coffee. When you have a Keurig Duo machine at home, relaxing on the patio surrounded by tall arborvitae and a warm breeze is the best place to be. Sometimes Lady Cora even lays on the patio table under the umbrella and relaxes.

What's brewing?

My choice of java depends on how I’m feeling—sometimes it’s Costa Rica blend, other times it’s Nantucket, and yet again other times it’s Bourbon Pecan.

Any treats for you or Lady Cora on this occasion?

Normally I sit and enjoy just the nectar of the gods by itself, but there are times when I may choose any flavor or yogurt or—as this morning—a hot cocoa roll with marshmallow icing. Cora doesn’t like to eat outside.

How were you and Lady Cora united?

After our first dog Denny Crane--named after you know who--crossed he rainbow bridge, it was a while before my wife and could get another family member. It took about five years, I believe, before we missed having that unconditional love around. That’s when we started looking and found Lady Cora.

How did your dog get her name?

As you might guess, my wife and I love Downton Abbey, so when she wanted to name our new love, she thought nothing fit her better than Lady Cora!

Does Lady Cora do more to help or hinder your writing?

I would say that she—like Denny—helps. Sometimes when I’m working, she will walk into my office and hop up on my leather recliner and lay down and just watch me. I wonder if she knows what I’m doing? Now the wolf dog that is Arthur’s buddy he rescued from an shelter in the Nakai series has every mannerism, every look and every emotion as our Denny Crane. As I was writing my first Arthur Nakai Mystery, he would come and sit with me. I told him that everyone was going to know him because I was using him in my books.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Aside from a few other dogs where we live, she loves to bark at squirrels that climb the arborvitae that surround the patio.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Lady Cora loves chasing her tennis balls, chewing on her squeaky toys and—most of all—taking out her ferocious, primal instincts on her limp rabbit, skunk and fox. They crunch when she bites them and flail when she shakes her head trying to render them lifeless. Funny to watch!

Where is Lady Cora's favorite outdoor destination?

Wherever there’s a pool, she’s the first to jump in! We don’t have one and don’t want the hassle of them, but if we take her anywhere there is a pool, she acts like Ester Williams!

Who is Lady Cora's best pet-pal?

I’d have to say Charlie. He’s an old white Golden Retriever. Cora loves him, but she’s too much of an excited teenager for him. He’s so past caring about the PYT’s.

What is Lady Cora's best quality?

That’s an easy question; the love she gives. Every morning I make my coffee and sit in my chair to catch some local news, she jumps up and lays in my lap, takes a big breath, and just lays there. She loves being petted, too. She lays in bed on my wife’s side, or between us, and takes up space and the end of the bed.

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

To work less so we could go on more walks in the park close by.

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

She is sooooo much like our Denny, I’d love to know if he was reincarnated inside her. The similarities are uncanny! We couldn’t get that lucky twice!

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

Hmmmmm? Dame Helen Mirren. I think she would have the perfect attitude to play Lady Cora!

What advice would Lady Cora give if asked?

Hey, Dad, make sure you take me out more times, okay? My bladder’s killin’ me here!

Visit Mark Edward Langley's website.

My Book, The Movie: Death Waits in the Dark.

--Marshal Zeringue

Tamara Bundy & Toby

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm Tamara Bundy, a high school teacher, mom and author. I have seven non-fiction books to my name –but this summer my debut middle grade novel, Walking with Miss Millie comes out and I couldn’t be more excited. The cute little guy with me in the picture is Toby. He is around six years old and is a Cockapoo. This picture was the lucky day we brought him home from the SCPA.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

It’s always first in the morning. I take my first sips of the day and Toby tries to crawl into my skin to get as close to me as possible.

What's brewing?

The rest of my family spends enough money on daily Starbucks runs. I’m the practical one who home brews. I still like the occasion of a pot of coffee that allows you to “freshen” your cup.

Any treats for you or Toby on this occasion?

Toby’s favorite treats are the doggy “ice creams”. I think he sees me eating so much ice cream that he really feels he is eating ice cream too. Have to say I want to try it.

How were you and Toby united?

Toby was a “Surrender Dog”. I never have found out why his previous owners gave him up. He has had a lot of medical bills, so I wonder if they gave him up due to that. We got him through an adoption program at the SCPA. We were the lucky ones—he is an amazing dog.

How did your dog get his name?

They called him “Toby” at the SCPA so I thought that was his name –the one he was surrendered with. But after we started calling him that for a few months after we got him, I realized the workers gave him a random name. I think I would have chosen something different had I known –but it’s too late now. At least he finally answers to “Toby”.

Does Toby do more to help or hinder your writing?

Toby is the perfect dog. I’m serious. He never causes trouble. The only thing that hinders me is sometimes he is so close to my feet when I stand up, I trip over him.

Has Toby inspired the creation of any fictional dogs?

Believe it or not – he inspired a fictional …lamb! My next book – out in 2019 is about a lamb who becomes more of a pet. I used Toby’s expressions, and the way he’d look at me, to come up with details about my lamb in the book.

Who is Toby's best pet-pal?

My daughter rescued a sweet pit-mix named Milly. And while Toby and Milly look like polar opposites, they love to hang out together when my daughter comes to visit.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

When we first got Toby, he didn’t bark. At all. I thought maybe he couldn’t. But one day…three months after we got him, he did bark – at a cat on the deck. I guess he was just waiting for the right moment.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Squeaky toy… all the way.

Where is Toby's favorite outdoor destination?

Anywhere with me. He loves to go outside –just not alone.

What is Toby's best quality?

He is the best dog in the world. Seriously, he is so sweet. You just look in his eyes and you see such kindness and sweetness. And he has never had an accident in the house. Never.

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

Toby would change the fact that I sometimes leave the house. He would much prefer I never leave without him. And I think he’d prefer not to have to get some of the medication he’s on now.

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

I’d love to know the name he had for the first years of his life. I really want to know more about that time.

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

I picture Toby as such a kind, old soul, I’d have Morgan Freeman give him a voice.

What advice would Toby give if asked?

Toby would say everybody should lighten up a little, give more belly rubs, and take more naps.

Visit Tamara Bundy's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Harris Bloom & River

Who is in the photo at right?

Hey, my name is Harris Bloom. I run my own animal rescue, Stewie to the Rescue. I'm also a comedian, wedding officiant, actor, writer, accountant, and husband/father!

Our dog is named River... Not sure how old, or her breed, as I found her in Riverside Park about five years ago. I'm guessing she's about eight or nine now, and I think she's a cockapoo. I am sure she's a she.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I drink six/seven cups of coffee a day. It's actually rare when I'm not drinking coffee with River in tow.

What's brewing?

I'm vegan, and my favorite is Califia brand, either their Mocha or XX Espresso.

Any treats for you or River on this occasion?

I'm having Ben & Jerry's (non-dairy) Coffee, Caramel Fudge ... River will get her treats right after we go for our walk.

How were you and River united?

While walking my dog at the time, Kilo, (who has since passed), I found her in a carrying case. She was really matted and thin. I probably shouldn't have, but I took her home, got her vetted, and we decided to keep her!

How did your dog get her name? Any aliases?

We named her River since I found her by Riverside Park... It kinda fits as since she had back surgery, she semi-incontinent... ack!

Please tells us about Stewie to the Rescue.

I founded Stewie to the Rescue about six years ago. Stewie specializes in helping lower income individuals and families pay for medical care for their pets. As I'm sure you know, vet costs in NYC are crazy and a lot of people just can't afford it. Given how people consider their pets family, I's say that we help keep families together.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

All of the above. Any sound she hears, she's on guard. She's a 13 pound guard dog.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

She'll chase a ball once in a while. She's not as good at bringing it back.

Where is River's favorite outdoor destination?

To get back home.

Who is River's best pet-pal?

It was Kilo, our pit-mix who passed away. In fact, Kilo was the only dog that River liked or likes to play with...

What is River's best quality?

She's all bark and no bite - With two- and five-year-old kids in the apartment, she's had plenty of reasons to strike out and yet never has. She's a sweet pup.

If River could change one thing about New Yorkers, what would it be?

She'd make sure they all carry dried beef treats.

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

Is there a God?

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

Meryl Streep, if she's available - We need someone who can voice a nuanced character, with a sufficient amount of gravitas.

What advice would River give if asked?

No matter what life throws at you, just keep barking.

Learn more about Stewie to the Rescue, Harris Bloom the comedian and wedding officiant, and watch a video in which NY1's New Yorker of the Week Bloom discusses animal rescue.

--Marshal Zeringue

Louisa Treger & Monty

Who is in the photo at right?

Louisa Treger, a writer, and her dog, Monty, a four-year-old male Cockapoo.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

We have a standing coffee date every day. I don’t function without caffeine.

What's brewing?

When my debut novel, The Lodger, came out last October, my daughter bought me a Tassimo coffee machine to cure me of an expensive Starbucks habit. It worked – I am converted!

Any treats for you or Monty on this occasion?

We are both foodies, but we try to be good first thing in the morning. It doesn’t last beyond lunch time, when he sticks his face on my leg and gives me beseeching looks until I share whatever I’m eating with him!

How were you and Monty united?

I researched Cockapoo breeders on the internet and took a train to fetch him. I brought him home in a doggie bag; he was utterly disorientated, yet so cooperative and patient. By the time we got to the house, he owned me.

How did your dog get his name? Any aliases?

My daughters named him after General Montgomery – he does rule the house! His aliases are The Monster, Monta, Poogie, The Schnapsta - these are just the less embarrassing ones.

Does Monty do more to help or hinder your writing?

Most of the time, Monty is the sweetest and least demanding of companions, snoozing on my feet while I write. He has become an important part of the writing process! That said, he has the occasional needy day, where he wants his tummy tickled and won’t let me type…

Have any actual dogs inspired fictional dogs in your published work?

Not yet, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before a version of Monty appears in one of my books!

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Squirrel, squirrel, squirrel. Oh, and did I mention, he’s obsessed with chasing squirrels?

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Ball – he prefers other dogs’ balls, which has triggered a few embarrassing incidents in the park.

Who is Monty's best pet-pal?

Me. He follows me around the house and would sit on my lap all day, if he could.

What is Monty's best quality?

He is unconditionally loving. Now that my kids are teenagers, he is the only person who jumps four feet in the air when I come home…

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

More titbits from my plate!

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

What are you thinking?

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

Will Smith.

What advice would Monty give if asked?

There’s no need to put me in the kitchen at night. I am very happy sleeping on your bed!

Visit Louisa Treger's website.

The Page 69 Test: The Lodger.

My Book, The Movie: The Lodger.

--Marshal Zeringue

Jan Devereux & Eddie

Who is in the photo at right?

This is a photo of me with Eddie and his sister Riley. They’re cockapoo littermates, who will celebrate their 4th birthday on April 15 (Tax Day!). Riley lives down the street with my good friend Liz.

I’m Jan Devereux. I blog as Cambridge Canine and am running for city council in Cambridge, MA.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

When I visit my favorite local bookstore, Porter Square Books, I like to get a soy latte at Café Zing, which is right inside the store. Eddie was featured in the bookstore’s 2013 calendar [photo below left]–they took his photo in their politics section, so they made him Mr. November. Sales of the calendar benefited a local animal shelter.

What's brewing?

Fair-trade organic coffee from Equal Exchange.

Any treats for you or Eddie on this occasion?

I like Café Zing’s baked goods, but Eddie has allergies so he’s on a grain-free diet.

How did Eddie get his name?

Edward is a family name: my grandfather, father, uncle, brothers (both of them!), and a nephew have Edward in their names. But Eddie is actually named after his predecessor Teddy – my husband and I figured we’d probably call him “Teddy” by mistake, and it would be less confusing for the puppy if the names rhymed. Our next dog will be named Freddy.

Squirrel, postman, cat....?

Eddie got schooled by our cats from Day One, so he knows better, but he always barks when he hears the mailperson on the front porch.

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

Eddie is all about sticks. He even tries to sneak bits of mulch into the house. Balls, what’s the point?

That was some wicked snowstorm that hit your fair city recently. I know it freaked out the country; how did Eddie cope with it?

This winter has been one for the record books. Eddie normally enjoys rolling in the snow, but we’ve had so much (about 8 feet) that the plowed drifts along the sidewalks are too high for him to climb. It’s like walking through a luge course.

You're running for city council in Cambridge; does Eddie have a campaign role?

I’m counting on Eddie to help me get out the canine vote.

Where is Eddie's favorite outdoor destination?

Fresh Pond Reservation is very near our house. Our regular walk is a 2-mile circuit around the pond, which is Cambridge’s water reservoir. It’s beautiful in all seasons, especially autumn. There’s a smaller pond on the trail that’s not part of the reservoir, where dogs can swim.

What is Eddie's best quality?

Loyalty. He’s very protective of me. Sometimes a little too protective….

If Eddie could change one thing about Cantabrigians, what would it be?

Our neighborhood shares a zip code with Harvard University, and our village market sells a t-shirt that reads, “02138: The world’s most opinionated zip code.” Cambridge residents have strong opinions, for sure, and many great ideas, but sometimes we could do a better job of listening to each other.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life in which Eddie could speak, which actor should do his voice?

Eddie Redmayne, of course! Everything sounds better in British English!

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

Do I have your #1 vote?

Visit the Cambridge Canine blog, and Jan Devereux's website, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

--Marshal Zeringue

Tania Malik & Deuce

Who is in the photo at right?

The photo is of me, Tania Malik, and my dog, Deuce, an eight-year-old cockapoo. I am mother to a teenage daughter and a writer.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

After our morning walk, Deuce and I take up our usual positions. I am on my laptop, sitting at my desk or on the couch. Deuce sleeps nearby or is curled up next to me.

What's brewing?

A cup of steaming hot tea, just regular old Twining’s English Breakfast. Black. No sugar. No milk.

Any treats for you or Deuce on this occasion?

Deuce is enjoying his Yeti Dog Chew. It is a long lasting, hard cheese treat made from yak and cow’s milk.

How were you and Deuce united?

When my daughter was seven she begged for a dog, promising she would walk it, feed it and clean up after it. We agreed and, opting for adoption, regularly visited our local humane society looking for the dog who would best fit in with our family. Several weeks later, I was told a one-year-old dog had come in but not been processed yet. They took me to see Deuce and his hair was overgrown--it almost touched the floor--but he had such a great attitude and the sweetest brown eyes and nose. I brought my family to see him later on that day and we were all charmed by his playful and affectionate disposition. Shortly after, we took him home. It was one of the best decisions our family made. Of course, my daughter’s promises to walk and feed him never really materialized, though she is better about it now that she is grown. But really, I love walking with Deuce and taking care of him.

How did your dog get his name? Any aliases?

He was named “Deuce” when we adopted him. It suited him. Sometimes, we call him “deucey-woosey” but I think Deuce feels this endearment compromises his masculinity.

Does Deuce do more to help or hinder your writing?

I cannot imagine my writing life without Deuce. He is a great companion. He motivates me to get off my chair and out the door for long, soul-replenishing walks, giving me time to think, reflect, and stretch my legs. For me, writing is a solitary activity and with him I am never alone. I like to bounce my writing ideas and thoughts off him. He’s a good listener.

Have any actual dogs inspired fictional dogs in your published work?

In my novel, Three Bargains, there is a white, fluffy Pomeranian named Prince. Because of their size and looks, Pomeranians are a popular breed in India, where Three Bargains is set. They are often overfed, overindulged and poorly trained. Prince, with his high pitched yip, is the archetype of those Pomeranians that nipped at me when I was in the homes of friends and relatives while I was growing up.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

They all set Deuce off, but mostly it is other dogs who are on their walks. He will bark at them from our window as if to say, “Hey! Don’t just walk on by! Come on in and say hello!”

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Deuce loves a good game of tug-of-war with a thick piece of twisted rope.

Who is Deuce's best pet-pal?

Leela is a 12-year-old Gordon Setter and Australian Shepherd mix. Along with Leela’s owner, Cathy, we hike the trails of Northern California. Leela is getting a bit slow now but we hope to go on long walks with her as long as she is able.

What is Deuce's best quality?

Deuce is very compassionate. We had the opportunity to live in India for a couple of years where there are many stray dogs on the streets. One morning he refused to move until I looked under a parked car. I found a two-month-old abandoned mutt suffering from distemper. We brought him home. Deuce was gentle and caring, staying by the pup and offering it comfort, as if aware of how sick, malnourished and scared the pup was. We were able to take care of the distemper and now the puppy lives in his forever home on a huge farm where he can run free and is well loved. Deuce has helped me more than once in this way, but not only with dogs. When my daughter badly sprained her ankle he spent all night curled up next to her bandaged leg as though he were comforting her.

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

If it was up to Deuce he would vote for an end to the leash laws so all dogs could roam free, and be able to enjoy every beautiful Californian trail or open space without restraint. Recently, the park service here in our part of Northern California had proposed banning dogs from certain beaches and trails. I imagine if Deuce knew of this he would be out gathering signatures, or paw prints, to put an end to such draconian measures.

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

Deuce will sniff and then settle down when a stranger, like the cable guy, comes into the house, but the moment they try to leave he will rush at the door, barking. I would ask him why he doesn’t like it when they leave. I know he is a sociable animal but we can’t keep every cable person, plumber or electrician from leaving the house.

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

Benedict Cumberbatch who plays the perceptive Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series. The pitch and cadence of the actor’s voice as Holmes would suit Deuce who is also hyper-aware and cognizant of any changes to his environment and routine. Nothing gets past Deuce, and he is eager to be at the center of whatever is going on as well.

Visit Tania Malik's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

May Wong & Miss Darcy

Who is in the photo at right?

May Wong - a blogger, an interior designer, a marketer. Miss Darcy is a cockapoo, now 2 3/4 - turns 3 on February 26.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

After our morning walks and she does her constitution, I like to stop for a coffee at Gail's for my decaff cappuccino - it's my time to start the day. And especially on summer Sunday mornings, I like to read the Sunday papers at Gail's - sharing the morning with Miss Darcy.

What's brewing?

Gail's decaff cappuccino.

Any treats for you or Miss Darcy on this occasion?

She shares my croissant!

How did Miss Darcy get her name? Any nicknames?

My fantasy is to have a "Mr. Darcy" in my life and the most assured way of getting a "Mr. Darcy" is to get a dog - loyal, protective and loving. But when Darcy turned out to be a girl - she became Miss Darcy.

How were you and Miss Darcy united?

I found her on the internet - a breeder's website. She came to me by special delivery from Wales - it would have been a very long drive or a long train ride.

Who are Miss Darcy's best pet-pals?

Zavia and Rocko.

Squirrel, postman, cat....?

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

Her squeaky teddy. When she gets excited, she runs up to it and pushes it with her nose to squeak it. Sometimes she decides to walk with it in her mouth.

What is Miss Darcy's best quality?

Loving every moment of every day - excited about every walk, every meal, every time I return home!

If Miss Darcy could change one thing about Londoners, what would it be?

Let dogs into all restaurants.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life in which Miss Darcy could speak, which actor should do her voice?

Renée Zellweger.

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

How much do you love me?

Visit the Miss Darcy's Adventures and May Ping Designs websites.

--Marshal Zeringue

Suzanne Redfearn & Cooper

Who is in the photo at right?

Suzanne Redfearn, author. My debut novel, Hush Little Baby, will be released October 8th. My dog's name is Cooper, he is a seven-year-old male cockapoo (cocker spaniel/poodle mix).

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Enjoying a Diet Coke while hanging with Cooper in the pool and catching some rays. This is Cooper's favorite place to hang out, and he's a bit too high strung for chilling in public, loves to chase the UPS truck, the mail truck, seagulls, and skateboards, and has no qualms about dragging the patio table along with him to do it.

What's brewing?

Diet Coke, my guilty pleasure.

Any treats for you or Cooper on this occasion?

Note the three pool balls collected on the raft. After the photo was taken, I threw them into the water for him to retrieve. He paddles the raft around picking them up if he can reach them, or he will jump in to get them if he can't maneuver close enough.

How were you and Cooper united?

Cooper and I met when he was a pup and it was love at first sight. We had only gone into the pet store to look, but we ended up walking out with Cooper. He charmed all of us and has been charming us ever since.

How did Cooper get his name? Any aliases?

My son named him, and the name fits because it has so many nicknames: Cooper Pooper, Super-Cooper, Mini Cooper, Cooper-dooper, Coops. He also responds to Butter Brain, Butt Face, Tail-wagging-dogface, Cooper-you're-in-the-way, Ugh!, and Martha (the cat's name).

Have any Cooper-inspired dogs appeared in your published work?

Hush Little Baby does have a dog in the story, but it is not a dog like Cooper, and the dog ends up getting killed. Having Cooper certainly made it easier to describe the dog-owner relationship.

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

Help. Writing is a lonely business and so I talk to Cooper all the time. He patiently listens, and though he does groan every once in a while and mostly ignores me, he doesn't complain or criticize. He's perfect company.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

He has a fabulous love/hate relationship with our evil cat, Martha. It is very entertaining watching him attempt to assert his canine authority over her obvious feline dominance. He's gotten his nose scratched more than once by those razor claws.

He hates the postman, the UPS man, and the Sparkletts man, ferociously barking and refusing to be won over by their overtures or dog biscuits, but the moment they open the gate, he becomes a tail-wagging wuss.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Loves anything with a squeak and makes it his mission to search and destroy the source of the squeal the moment he receives a new noise maker, but his favorite possessions are his pool splash balls. He drops them from our deck into the water then makes a game out of jumping into the pool to retrieve them. He swims them back to the deck, then drops them in again – hours of ridiculous entertainment.

Does Cooper have a favorite place to go for outings?

The beach. Sand, birds, waves – what's not for a dog to like?

Who is Cooper's best pet-pal?

Martha, the evil cat. They pretend to hate each other when the family is around, but if you catch Cooper unaware, he'll be lying beside her or sometimes taunting her to play.

What is Cooper's best quality?

The dog is just super fun. He's a lover not a fighter and makes everything a little brighter with his dopey enthusiasm.

If Cooper could change one thing about the people of Orange County, what would it be?

Cooper likes to play a game where he drops one of his splash balls outside the gate of our house whenever anyone walks by, half the time, the person will throw it back for him. I think Cooper would change it so everyone took the time to give him his ball back.

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

You know you're going to get stung, why do you still chase after the bees?

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

Kevin James.

Visit Suzanne Redfearn's website, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

--Marshal Zeringue

JoeAnn Hart & Daisy

Who is in the photo at right?

This is a photo of me and my dog Daisy. I’m JoeAnn Hart, author of the novels Addled and Float, both of which have all sorts of animals in them, including dogs. We live in Gloucester, Massachusetts, although Daisy is from West Virginia, where she was picked up off the streets when she was around nine months old. I adopted her from Save A Dog in Sudbury, Ma. in 2010, so she’s still young. She’s a messy Cock-a-poo, with a miniature poodle dad, and a Cocker Spaniel grandmother, who slept around, so Daisy’s mom was only half Cocker Spaniel. We only know this because my sister is a vet and had Daisy’s DNA tested.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I had to drop my husband’s car off to be repaired, and in exchange, he bought me a coffee at Lone Gull. Daisy came along for the ride. She loves the car and all the smells on Main Street, but she has to wear a harness when she goes anywhere with me. Her head is smaller than her neck, so a collar is just a place to hang her license.

What's brewing?

I’m having a large light roast with milk. Hot, because it’s not ice coffee season quite yet.

Any treats for you or Daisy on this occasion?

I was tempted, because I love Lone Gull’s almond cookies, but resisted. No goodies for either of us. Daisy loves sweets but she puts on weight too easily to indulge her. She finds ways to indulge herself as it is. We think she was raised in a dumpster in the back of a bakery, because she cannot resist frosting. At Christmas we found her on the dining room table with her face in the whipped cream and gingerbread, but that was nothing compared to last summer, when the day after my son’s wedding we found her with all fours in the leftover cake. She is a very well-behaved dog except for this one strange obsession.

How did Daisy get her name? Any nicknames?

Daisy was the name that came with her from Save A Dog. For weeks we played around with other names and none of them fit quite as well. So Daisy she stayed. Sometimes we call her Sausage because of that weight issue. We don’t consider that an insult, and neither does she. It is simply her shape.

How were you and Daisy united?

I had lost my standard poodle, Annie, in 2009. She was 16 years old when she died and I was just too heartbroken to get another right away. When I was ready in the fall of 2010, I started looking at shelters across New England. I knew I wanted a rescue, but I needed a hair breed or mix because of allergies, and I wanted a medium-sized dog this time. It turns out that most dogs at shelters tend to be either very small or very large. I spent a lot of time searching near and far, but every time a candidate popped up, it was already taken by the time I contacted them. In December I decided to wait until late winter, when, unfortunately, many puppies given as Christmas presents are surrendered for adoption. Then, three days before Christmas, I got an email saying Daisy had just arrived at Save A Dog. I drove down there and I fell in love. She was exactly the dog I was looking for. We took her home the day before Christmas.

Who are your dog's best pet-pals?

She loves other dogs. She adores Gussie, my daughter’s Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, but Gussie doesn’t even look at her when she visits so we can’t call her a pal. Daisy was an only dog until this summer, when my husband got a Golden Doodle puppy, Happy. It was then we realized that Daisy loved dogs, not puppies. Happy hung on her ear all day, like a large fuzzy earring. Now Happy is older and calmer, not an annoying puppy, so they are best friends. They especially like to chase squirrels around the yard together.

What is Daisy's best quality?

Daisy has amazingly soulful eyes. She always looks as if she’s in deep sympathy with my feelings. Then again, she looks as if she is in deep sympathy with everyone’s feelings.

If Daisy could change one thing about New Englanders, what would it be?

Daisy wishes New Englanders would make more cakes with frosting and leave them unattended. She has very powerful little thighs, so leaving them on tables is just fine with her. She’ll get there.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life in which Daisy could speak, which actors should do her voice?

Jennifer Aniston. Daisy is that sweet.

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

I’d ask her what her life was like before we met. What was she doing wandering the streets of West Virginia? I know there are a lot of puppy mills there, so I sometimes think she was tossed in a dumpster when she didn’t turn out to be a perfect Cock-a-Poo. A dumpster behind a bakery.

Visit JoeAnn Hart's website, blog, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

--Marshal Zeringue

Sita Brahmachari & Ringo Star

Who is in the photo at right?

This is my youngest daughter who is actually the rightful owner of Ringo Star. And there I am wearing my Artichoke Heart charm wishing Ringo good luck on his first ever walk in our local park!

This is Ringo Star… he’s our new puppy, born 29th January 2012 in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex! I do feel like creating a breed-name more befitting his sense of style, charm and beauty! However his breed is a ‘Cockapoo’ (!) – a Cocker Spaniel, Toy Poodle cross. Or, if you are Australian, you might call him a ‘Spoodle’… I’m favouring this breed name! I’m Sita Brahmachari, a relatively new author (though not as young or as lively as Ringo)! My debut novel for Young Adults, Artichoke Hearts, (published by Pan Macmillan and soon to be published in America by Albert Whitman) won the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize 2011. My second novel, Jasmine Skies, (set in Kolkata, India) was published by Macmillan Children’s Books in March 2012. Look out for an artist of the future as my daughter has had her illustrating debut on page 55 of Jasmine Skies with her monkey drawings!

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

My husband Leo, bought me a brand-new coffee maker for my birthday in March. I love the jewel colour capsules I can select every day. I’m like my youngest in a toy shop… can’t wait to taste the next coffee!

Would you like… Fortissio Lungo? Livanto? Vivalto Lungo? Volluto? Or Rosabaya de Colombia?

I’m expecting my author friend Louise Millar, who has recently published the brilliant novel Playdate, (published in America by Emily Bestler Books/Atria/Simon & Schuster) to arrive at my house soon. When being published authors was a pipe dream we would drop the children off at school and share each other’s chapters … those were in the days before Ringo and official publishing contracts, when we could never have dreamed that we would be sitting here now drinking coffee as published authors, with Ringo the super-star puppy sitting at out feet … Dreams can come true!

What's brewing?

Today I have chosen Rosabaya de Colombia and after much deliberation Louise has selected Livanto.

And we could not resist a treat for Ringo by ‘Paws’… I bought a packet of dog treats from a country fair at my Mum’s village fete, where Ringo was supposed to enter into the dog show, and judging by how many people stopped me to admire his cuteness, he might have been a contender… only he was all done-in from the excitement of meeting a Hungarian Water Dog so he had to have an afternoon sleep instead!

Definitely could have been a contender at that dog show! If only he’d been awake!

How did Ringo get his name? Any aliases?

Ringo has lovely large padding paws… that seem to drum the ground as he walks! We are also a family of Beatles fans! Two syllable dog names (we drop the ‘Star’ for informal occasions) are good for hollering across parks! Rin – go!

Has Ringo ever been to Abbey Road in NW London?

We had intended to make it our first Ringo Star Harrison day trip! (Harrison is my married name). Abbey Road is not that far from where we live. However, we first need to familiarise Ringo with the Zebra crossing outside of our house… He is, as I will explain later, not enamoured with either the roads or the pavement! He has, however, seen the Jasmine Skies book trailer on YouTube with the poster of Abbey Road in Mira’s bedroom. He’s told me he thoroughly approves and is looking forward to a drum kit for his first birthday!

How were you and Ringo united?

We had our name down with the breeder for over a year. We were overjoyed to hear from them just before the Easter holidays that a puppy was waiting for us! It required a day trip to Clacton-on-Sea and, unlike most of our sea-side jaunts, nobody cared that it was raining cats and dogs!

[Photo left: Ringo in the sunshine and looking forward to a treat!]

Does Ringo play any role in your writing? Are there dogs in your books?

It’s only a matter of time! There are indeed very special dogs in both of my YA novels so far. Piper the little dog belonging to Nana Josie (my bohemian, artist grandmother in Artichoke Hearts) paints him, leg-cocked, onto her own coffin, and of course there is Miss Print’s dog, Moses … and the wise monsoon street dog, Bacha, (meaning ‘naughty’ in Jasmine Skies) and I am already thinking about the sheepdog who is to appear in my third novel, set in the Lake District mountains.

Does Ringo have any non-canine pet-pals?

Ringo is keen on chasing pigeons, but he’ll learn!

What is Ringo's best quality?

He has a heart of pure gold! He wants more than anything else to please us all and he has special healing powers with the teenagers in the family suffering exam stress and hormonal overloads! He is indeed a dog with special calming ability. Oh! And did I say… he’s just plain heart-meltingly adorable?

If Ringo could change one thing about Londoners, what would it be?

The traffic! Ringo does not appreciate the roaring road outside of our house. In fact he is not too fond of concrete. His delicate paws require him to be carried to the local park, where his feet are able to be reunited with the soft grassy surfaces.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life in which your dog could speak, which actor should do his voice?

The wonderful Jack Lemmon! Ringo is a dog with a wry sense of humour, sharp wit and intelligence and a whole load of charm, with great maturity. I had the honour of once meeting this wonderful actor in Italy with his friend Marcello Mastroianni. I was stage-struck and had a similar feeling when first encountering Ringo!

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

Is it true that… ‘All you need is love?!’

He just answered! In the immortal words of Ringo Starr, you heard it here, today:

‘Woof! Love is all you need!’

Visit Sita Brahmachari's website.  See Sita Brahmachari's top 10 books that take you travelling.

--Marshal Zeringue

MacKenzie Cadenhead & Smudge

Who is in the photo at right?

Hi! I’m MacKenzie Cadenhead and I’m a children’s book writer. This is my dog, Smudge. She’s a six-year-old cockapoo who also happens to be my muse.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

It’s a rainy fall afternoon and Smudge and I are hanging out in my office enjoying a coffee break as we do most days. I’m at my desk while she’s curled up on her bed under the window beside me.

What's brewing?

Iced decaf coffee with almond milk.

Any treats for you or Smudge on this occasion?

Baby carrots.

Are you both always this healthy?

No, but we sound it, don’t we?! Chalk the decaf up to a new (human) baby, the almond milk up to lactose sensitivity, and the carrots up to the fact that Smudge already had a peanut butter treat today!

How were you and Smudge united?

When I began working from home my husband (who was secretly desperate for a dog) suggested that a puppy would get me away from my desk and out of the apartment at least a few times a day. I took this as a hint that he wanted me to change out of my pajamas each morning. The moment we saw Smudge we knew the three of us were meant for each other. I should admit, though, that I still don’t always change out of my PJs now. It’s amazing how little people care what you’re wearing around the neighborhood in the early morning.

How did she get her name? Any nicknames?

Smudge was named in honor of a friend’s pug, OG Smudge. We just loved the name and after she shed her puppy hair she had a smudge of brown fur down her back, so the name turned out to be an appropriate choice. Among her many nicknames are Lady Smudge, Smudgelet and Baby Puppy.

Please tell us about your new book.

Sally’s Bones is a middle grade novel about a girl and her reanimated skeleton dog who are accused of a crime they didn’t commit. It has amazing artwork by the appropriately named (and super talented) T.S. Spookytooth. Smudge was my muse on this book and it is dedicated to her.

What is Smudge's contribution to your writing?

Aside from inspiring me (not only is every mannerism hers but Sally’s love for Bones is mine for Smudge), Smudge listened to every draft of the book. Because there’s so much alliteration in the book and its rhythm is key I would read everything I wrote out loud over and over until it worked. Smudge’s patient listening was truly appreciated. Plus, whenever I got stuck she’d take me for a walk to help me clear my head.

Does Smudge have a favorite place to go for walk?

She likes to walk around our neighborhood but her favorite place to run free is my parents’ farm.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

She’d like a piece of all three of them but the postman is her #1 nemesis, without a doubt. I don’t know what it is about that uniform but my otherwise sweet baby goes ballistic!

What is Smudge's best quality?

Her kindness.

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

I know she’d be in heaven if I had an unlimited supply of tennis balls up my sleeve.

What's Smudge's proudest moment so far?

Her proudest moment was when we found a cat that had been clipped by a car on the side of the road. The three of us were already in our car so my husband scooped the cat up in a towel and I drove us around looking for a Vet’s office that was open.

Smudge, who normally would have protested that a member of the feline species was not only in our car but cradled in her daddy’s arms didn’t make a peep. She knew something was wrong and stayed calmly in the back seat the whole time. The cat was all right and home by nightfall.

We’re also proud of her appearance on the cover of an issue of Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane that I edited. (Cover art Takeshi Miyazawa, Norman Lee & Christina Strain)

Most embarrassing?

Her most embarrassing moment? It was probably this truly terrible haircut she got at a chichi groomers on the upper west side in Manhattan. They sheered her body and kept her ears and tail long and poufy.

Her tail was tucked between her legs for days and we referred to her as Fifi La Smudge. Poor pup – all us girls have been there. Needless to say we never went back to that place again!

Thank you for having us on Coffee with a Canine. Smudge informs me that our break is over and it’s back to work!

Visit MacKenzie Cadenhead's blog and follow her and Smudge on Twitter.

--Marshal Zeringue

Danette Haworth & Casey

Who is in the photo at right?

That's me, Danette Haworth, and my dog, Casey. I'm a published author living in Orlando, Florida with my family. My novels, for middle-grade readers, include Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning, The Summer of Moonlight Secrets, Me & Jack, and Two Flavors of Lucky (title might change, due 2012/2013).

A high-climbing cat named Jinx wends her way through the pages of The Summer of Moonlight Secrets, and dog lovers will be happy to know that Jack, a dog with royal bloodlines, is one of the main characters in Me & Jack, which came out this summer.

Casey is my cockapoo, my constant companion. She's one year old.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Whatever time I wake, it still seems too early. I shuffle toward my cappuccino machine like a zombie. Casey tugs at my pajama bottoms, tugs and pulls, jumping, growling, dashing off and returning with a toy in her mouth and hope in her eyes, tail wagging. She makes it easy for me, pretending like she can hardly hold the toy, which I swipe in a clumsy gesture and toss. I fire up the cappuccino machine, get the milk ready, and make the morning's first important decision: How many shots of espresso? Most mornings require four, with follow-up.

Once properly fueled, I throw that toy hard, and Casey knows all my tricks, like banking it off the wall or bluffing toward the kitchen while really throwing it upstairs.

What's brewing?

Starbuck's espresso. I love cappuccino. I received a cappuccino machine for a wedding present, and I've used it (and its successors) every day since.

Any treats for you or Casey on this occasion?

Officially, we don't give Casey any treats. Off the record, not only does Casey get the scraps of eggs or little bits of bacon, she acts as a spot cleaner for the kitchen floor, letting nary a breakfast crumb fall without her immediate inspection and consumption.

How were you and Casey united?

My friend acquired a cockapoo who greeted me wildly whenever I visited. I'd hear his nails clicking on the floor during our visit, and he would, at regular intervals, slide under my hands for petting.

It had been a while since I'd had my own dog, but this dog opened my heart again. Since I couldn't kidnap him, I looked for a similar dog and found Casey! We got her when she was only two months old. She was so tiny and cute--and energetic!

Does Casey play any role in your writing?

Casey keeps me company by lying in the big, green chair in the corner of my office. She also chews up my red pens.

Does Casey have a favorite place to go for walk?

Anywhere is good if it means she's on a walk!

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

Casey sits like a sentinel at our sliding glass doors, keeping an eye on the birdfeeder out back. I always know when birds or squirrels have landed, because I hear a sudden flurry of door scratching, barking, and whining. I don't ever want her to catch any of them, though, so when they've had enough time at the birdfeeder, I click open the door loudly and say, "Hi, Mr. Squirrel!" By the time Casey's leaping past the screen door, Mr. Squirrel and his bird friends are safe in the branches of nearby trees.

What is Casey's best quality?

Casey's best quality is her unlimited capacity to love and be loved. Everyone knows how loyal dogs are, but I'm not sure everyone realizes what a benefit it is to have a little personality who will accept all the love you want to give her. It can be so comforting, so restful, to stroke your dog's back, feel her softness and warmth. Casey lets me snuggle her up like a baby--I wish I could still do that with my kids!

What is Me & Jack, your latest book, about?

Twelve-year-old Joshua Reed knows how to play new kid: hang back, don’t talk too much, become invisible. Then he pairs up with Jack, a dog he rescues from the pound. Jack yanks Joshua from the sidelines to the frontlines and before Joshua can help it, he comes face-to-face with the meanest kid in school, Alan Prater. Joshua would like to be friends with Ray, but it turns out Ray and Prater are cousins, and Prater’s not letting outsiders in. Plus, being the son of an Air Force recruiter during the Vietnam War doesn't exactly make fitting in easy. When a few late night disturbances rip through town and everything points back to Jack, Joshua will have to fight for his family, his new home, and his beloved dog.

School Library Journal says, "Me & Jack is well paced and keeps readers focused and concerned about the characters and their development." Kirkus calls Me & Jack an "entertaining boy-and-dog adventure " that is "vividly depicted through [Joshua's] first-person narration and amusing interior monologues."

I hope you get a chance to read it! Thank you for having me!

Visit Danette Haworth's website, blog, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

--Marshal Zeringue

Lauren B. Davis & Bailey

Who is in the photo at right?

My name is Lauren B. Davis, that’s my dog, Bailey. Bailey, about 2 years old – I’m not quite sure as he didn’t come with much history. And as for breed, I was told he’s a cockapoo, but I suspect some bichon frise, and a fair amount of terrier, as is evidenced by his desire to chase everything that moves in our garden – squirrels, ground hogs, rabbits, deer, and foxes. My husband, Ron, and I refer to him as The Rescuepoo.

As you can see, we’re both into books; in fact, I’m a novelist, essayist, and creative writing teacher. My new novel, Our Daily Bread, will be published Oct. 1, 2011. As well, I’ve published four other books: two novels, The Stubborn Season and The Radiant City; as well as two collections of short stories, An Unrehearsed Desire and Rat Medicine & Other Unlikely Curatives. You can learn more about me on my website.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Bailey and I have a fairly regular schedule. He wakes up about 6:00 a.m. and comes into bed for a cuddle until about 7:00 a.m.. He’d like it to be longer and would happily stay in bed until mid-morning, but I drag him out of bed. Then it’s out for the morning perambulation around the neighborhood, back for breakfast and coffee. I take my coffee sitting at my office desk, and Bailey takes up his post at Canine Command Central, also known as the window overlooking the garden. There’s generally a mid-morning writing-recharge repeat.

What's brewing?

I am particular about my coffee and drink a wonderful blend called “Excalibur” from the Burlap & Beans Company of Newtown PA. I grind the beans fresh and use a French Press. Best coffee I’ve ever had, and that’s after living in France for a decade!

Any treats for you or Bailey on this occasion?

Bailey is fond of – on this occasion and every other – of Cat-Man-Doo Dried Wild Salmon Treats, although he will forgo even this delectable for a bit of apple. I am easily seduced by pain-au-chocolat.

How were you and Bailey united?

After my friends Lisa Pasold and Bremner Duthie came to visit with their dog, Barclay (which should, of course, be spelled Barkly), the urge to share my home and life with a dog, which had been a long time low-level nagging, felt suddenly urgent. I’m not sure why, but I suspect it’s a soul thing — mysterious and hard to pin down, but no less real for all of that. I can’t explain it. It just was.

Although I’ve since heard a number of stories from people about how hard it was for them to find the right dog — months of searching, filling out applications, meeting dogs, applying for adoption, being disappointed – for me, once I’d seen Bailey’s photo on the Petfinder site, it was miraculously easy. He was being fostered with a wonderful family through an equally wonderful organization called AFEW (Animal Friends for Education and Welfare), not far from us. I contacted them and filled out an application. They wrote back a few hours later -- Did we want to meet him that Saturday at an adoption fair? You bet.

His foster mum, Mary (that’s her on the left in the photo at left) brought him. He wore a little blue sweater and flipped over on his back, tail wagging, the minute we walked in. I’d brought a toy, which he accepted with glee. He licked Ron’s hand. He’d had a hard time of it, rescued from a “kill shelter” somewhere down south, weighing only 10 lbs when he should have weighed 20 lbs — he was a little skeleton — so matted he’d been shaved a few weeks before (hence the sweater). Nobody knew where he’d come from or what had happened to him precisely. He was a bit skittish around some people, especially if they moved too fast over his head. I was told he’d probably been hit and was frightened. I asked if he could come home with us that afternoon for a home visit. He fell asleep in Ron’s arms on the ride home. He’s been with us ever since.

How did he get his name? Any nicknames?

Bailey came to us with his name, and I didn’t want to change it, since I suspected he’s had a great number of changes in his life.

Nicknames? You bet. The Rescuepoo, of course; but also, Little Pooters, Snuggles, Bailey Bug and Angel Pie (so good I could eat ‘im with a spoon).

Does Bailey play any role in your writing?

As a writer I spend a great deal of time alone. I like this. It’s not that I actively dislike people (well, not all people), but like most writers, my temperament leans toward the solitary. My writing sometimes takes me to rather dark and, dare I say, emotionally perilous places. (I’d stop if I could, but I’m actually saner when I’m writing than when I’m not, so it’s best for all concerned that I continue.) Also, as a recovered alcoholic, I have a ‘natural’ tendency to isolate, preferring to simmer in my own emotional stews. Then, too, like most of my family members, I have a history of depression, for which in the past I’ve been medicated. Whereas my husband is a glass-frothing-over-in-effervescent-excess-of-good-stuff kind of guy, I’m definitely an oh-look-I-think-that’s-a-dreg-at-the-bottom-of-the-glass type of gal.

In short, I’ve always thought of myself as moody, with a tendency to droop.

Or at least I did. Recently, I have found it impossible to maintain moody droopiness when faced with a little fur-ball who believes my coming back into the room after a five minute absence warrants a celebration worthy of visiting royalty. He’s my wee shadow. Sitting in a chair by the window, squirrel-spotting, as I write. Trotting after me from room to room. Lying on his blanket in the kitchen as I cook. Sitting on my lap like a little fur-covered hot water bottle as I read. If I get caught up too long in dark thoughts I am interrupted (as though he knows I’ve taken a wrong turn) by the sound of a squeaky toy and the thump of his paw on my leg. Time for a walk. Time for play. Before Bailey, I feel like I’d forgotten about play.

Even my husband remarks on how much happier I’ve been the past year. He’s surprised, and so am I, frankly. I didn’t realize how gray the world had felt.

I am, after a creatively fallow period, once again writing and I don’t feel so isolated. In fact, the as yet unnamed new novel I’m working on has – surprise! – a dog in it, a companion who follows a woman on her journey through the Underworld in search of her brother. Huh.

Does Bailey have a favorite place to go for walk?

We live on a big, mile-long horseshoe of a road, and three times a day we wander out to see what we might see. There are usually other dogs around, and at first Bailey barked and snarled and growled, but, thanks to the guidance of my wonderful dog trainer, Lynn Robinson, he now has some pals. And with all the wildlife around us – possums and raccoons and all the critters I mentioned above – there is no end of interesting smells out there.

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

Bailey has a basket containing all his toys – Snakey (a very loud green plush squeaky used to announce his desire for attention), Rabbit (a sort of road-kill thing), Puffy, Knotty, Tuffy, Foxy, Justin Beaver, and the blue plush squeaky he takes up to bed with him every night, given to him my Mary, his foster mum. He’s definitely a squeaky-toy kind of guy. He also knows the name of all his toys and will fetch whichever one you ask for. (Of course, he’s much smarter than other dogs, in my humble opinion.)

What is Bailey's best quality?

Do I have to pick just one? Loyal, funny, so smart (did I mention smart?) eager to please, a great listener and a better cuddler ... yes, maybe that’s it – his talent at cuddling.

If Bailey were a talking dog in the movie of your life, who should do his voice?

Maybe Stephen Colbert – funny, smart, often just having me on, and I sometimes suspect he knows far more than I do.

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

I suspect he’d like me to understand, once and for all, that although writing may be somewhat useful, tummy rubs really ought to take precedence.

What's Bailey's proudest moment so far? His most embarrassing?

Proudest – definitely his dramatic “stick-‘em-up” followed by the even more dramatic “bang!” drop dead – paw to forehead, staggering sideways and eventually falling over on his back. Absolutely the star of his Tricks Class.

He’s never embarrassed me! I wonder if I’ve ever embarrassed him? If so, he’s been too polite to mention it.

Visit Lauren B. Davis's website and blog.

--Marshal Zeringue