Michael P. Spradlin & Willow and Apollo

Who is in the photo at right?

The devilishly handsome guy in the photo is me, Michael P. Spradlin, author and international man of mystery with my two highly trained, well behaved, always silent and stealthy (not) Schnoodles, Willow (gold) and Apollo (Black). Schnoodles are Schnauzer and Poodle mixes.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Since I work at home, every day is coffee with a canine. Except for the coffee part. I’m not a coffee drinker. So, most days tend to be ‘hijinks with a canine days’.

What's brewing?

Usually it’s some type of flavored water. Most often Pineapple-Coconut which allows me to imagine I’m somewhere in the tropics.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

Cheese. Always cheese. Cheese. It’s what’s for dinner. My dogs will do anything, and I mean anything, if there is the prospect of cheese at the end. Anyone who wanted to rob our house would only need to bring cheese to convince the dogs to lead them to the valuables.

How were you and your dogs united?

Willow (gold) is the oldest. She came to us first and we enjoyed her so much, we decided to get Apollo so she would have a friend. However, as it turns out, while Willow tolerates him, she’s quite convinced she is the only dog in the world and therefore can’t be bothered with his shenanigans.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Willow is named after the character Willow from Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. According to my family, Apollo is named after the Greek God, although I like to tell people he’s named after Apollo Creed from the Rocky movies.

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

Definitely help. Dogs are one of mankind’s great stress reducers. They love unconditionally, are always happy to see you, and when you are holding or petting them, it’s impossible not to relax and breathe. And properly caring for a dog, walking and exercising them, keeps you refreshed and active which is good for you. Many times when I’m stuck on a story, taking the dogs for a walk helps me clear my head and think.

Have any actual dogs ever inspired dogs in your fiction?

Both of my mutts have made appearances in my books. In the Youngest Templar trilogy, Tristan, the protagonist, is adopted by Angel, a small golden dog who bravely assists him in his journey. In the Killer Species series, Calvin has a black Schnoodle named Apollo. They both have agents now.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

All of the above. Willow is an ‘observe and report’ member of the pack. She notifies us of any unauthorized activity in the neighborhood including but not limited to neighbors getting their mail, meter readers, or undocumented leaves blowing into our yard. Apollo is the ‘observe and attack’ member of the pack and has a blood feud with the neighbor’s cat, and is a sworn enemy of all UPS, FedEx or US Postal services workers. As far as he is concerned they shall not pass.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Neither of them are big on toys or fetching. Apollo is a mighty hunter and brings us snakes, moles, mice, the occasional bird and frog. Both are big fans of rawhide chews.

Who is each dog's best pet-pal?

Unquestionably my wife. I’m purely here for back up. If my wife is gone, I’ll do in a pinch, but she is the center of their universe.

What is each dog's best quality?

Schnoodles are people dogs. They’re happiest when their ‘pack,’ which includes my children, and their mates are all together at our house as they should be. They’re always in a good mood, the first thing they offer is love and they’re big fans of naps. If nothing suspicious, like garbage pickup, is happening in the neighborhood.

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

Well they are Michigan dogs, so I believe in their minds they consider themselves superior to all other canines. But they’d probably say that instead of using our hands to point out to people where we live, we instead use those hands to hold cheese. On can never have enough cheese.

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

I would ask them how it is they can live so easily in the moment. They seem to be born Zen masters. I wish I could find that state as easily as they seem to.

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

Willow would demand that Meryl Streep provide her voice. And Apollo would not participate unless Samuel L. Jackson was his mouthpiece.

What advice would your dogs give if asked?

Life is simple. Talk a walk, have some cheese and then a nap. Repeat. And baths really aren’t necessary. You smell great.

Visit Michael P. Spradlin's website.

My Book, The Movie: Prisoner of War.

Writers Read: Michael P. Spradlin.

The Page 69 Test: Prisoner of War.

--Marshal Zeringue

Anna-Louise Taylor & Sadie

Who is in the photo at right?

Hey! I’m Anna-Louise Taylor, and my friends call me A-Lo. I’m a digital producer for BBC Food. This is my dog Sadie, a six-year-old female schnoodle! That’s a mix of Miniature Schnauzer and Miniature Poodle.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Sadie and I love a good mooch around Bristol on a Saturday – we cross the river from Southville and walk around the harbour, before taking in the gorgeous food at St Nick’s Market. Then no walk is complete without a stop in the best Bristol coffee shop, Full Court Press.

They really know their stuff in there, they have amazing specialty roasts every day, and they love Sadie.

What's brewing?

I grew up in New Zealand, so have been drinking flat whites since I was a teenager!

It’s always got to be a flat white for me, and I always choose my roast at Full Court Press based on their tasting notes. I love a caramel or liquorice note.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

A Hart’s Bakery cinnamon bun, which Full Court Press always have in, unless they’ve already sold out. Honestly, the best baked bun I’ve tasted.

How were you and Sadie united?

I had been desperate for a dog of my own for many years, after growing up with an English Springer Spaniel called Rosie. I badly pined for one for about two years and did a lot of research in that time about the best type of breed for me.

Although I love big dogs, I needed a small dog that I could travel with around London and further afield. I also wanted one that didn’t moult, to reduce chance of allergies, one that was playful yet clever, sociable, affectionate, easy to train, and that liked sleeping. A lot like me!

So after settling on schnoodles, I found her through a breeder on the internet. She’s actually a Brummie!

Any treats for Sadie on this occasion?

Sadie often gets the pastry crumbs! She really does love human food a lot more than dog food.

How did Sadie get her name? Does she have any nicknames?

She was going to be called Suki, but Sadie just suited her better. I also call her shadow, little black shadow, or little black mamba as she follows me everywhere.

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

She loves all toys she can rip apart and pull the stuffing out of! Anything with a squeaker…

Postman, cat, squirrel...?

She loves to chase squirrels, rabbits, and will regularly try and make friends with cats. That never works out too well.

Where is Sadie's favorite place for an outing?

Sadie hates water, but she absolutely loves the outdoors, anywhere she can be off lead, get muddy, sniff out scent trails and roll about in fox poo! She loves Ashton Court, The Downs and Snuff Mills in Bristol.

Who is Sadie's best pet-pal?

She goes wild for a beautiful little dog called Otto in our local park. But she’ll pretty much cuddle up to any other small dog!

What is Sadie's most endearing quality?

She is undeniably affectionate. She loves being picked up and cuddled, and once you’ve won her over she’ll be your friend for life.

Give her a cuddle and she will go straight in for face licks, and she loves to snuggle up on your lap, in the crook of your knee or sleep with her head resting on your ankle or shoulder.

If Sadie could change one thing about Bristolians, what would it be?

She wouldn’t change anything. Bristolians are the loveliest people.

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

Ooh tough question! Probably Amy Schumer. I am sure she would be completely hilarious and have an American accent.

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

Were you reincarnated from a person to a dog?

Photos credit: Bart Corpe.

Visit Anna-Louise Taylor's Twitter perch.

--Marshal Zeringue

Ellen Jackson & Abby

Who is in the photo at right?

That’s me, Ellen Jackson, children’s author, dog-lover, and member of the fellowship of flawed human beings. On my lap is Abby, a 14-year-old schnoodle (schnauzer/poodle), also known as dogface and pupcakes.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Coffee and canines are two of my favorite things. Santa Barbara has many dog friendly places where people can dine with their pooches. One of our favorites is the Mesa Cafe.

What's brewing?

Just the house coffee. Did I say “just”? It’s quite good.

Any treats for you or your dog on this occasion?

Abby gets special low-fat dog treats, which she loves.

How were you and your dog united?

Abby’s mother was found wandering the streets without any identification. A very nice dog rescuer took her in and soon discovered that she (the mother, not the dog rescuer) was pregnant. Abby was the last to be adopted from that litter. In my case, it was love at first sight.

How did your dog get her name? Any aliases?

She came with her name, and I didn’t want to confuse her by giving her another one. She was confused enough, having first been adopted by someone who could not provide for her—and then returned to the original dog rescuer.

Does Abby do more to help or hinder your writing?

She warms my feet when she snoozes under my desk in the morning. And she looks cute on my webpage. Definitely helps.

Have any actual dogs inspired fictional dogs in your writing?

Ah, yes indeed! A homeless dog named Boozer (sorry about the name) wandered the streets of a small town in New England many years ago. The dog just couldn’t seem to settle down with any one family. Everyone in the town loved Boozer. The towns folk finally took up a collection, got Boozer a license, paid his vet bills, and declared him to be the only dog in history who belonged to–himself.

I wrote The Ballad of Booster Bogg a few years ago. Boozer’s name was changed to protect the innocent, and also to give him a handle that rhymed with “dog.”

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Definitely cats and squirrels. My most recent book, Beastly Babies, features a number of naughty animals and their antics, including a few kittens and puppies. My book, Tooling Around, highlights a number of animals who use tools or objects from their environment in their daily lives, including a certain species of squirrel.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Some of each.

Who is your dog's best pet-pal?

Abby, unfortunately, thinks she’s a human and doesn’t associate much with her own species if she can help it. She’s had two doggie friends in her life: Wookie and Bucky. Sadly both moved away. But she absolutely loves people and will eagerly jump into the lap of anyone she sees sitting on a park bench, sprawled on the grass, or otherwise available for canine companionship.

Where is Abby's favorite outdoor destination?

Any outdoor vacation we go on suits her just fine.

What is Abby's best quality?

She loves people–all people. But especially children. She’s the most affectionate dog I’ve ever known.

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

More supermarkets that allowed doggie customers. There’s actually one up in the Tahoe area that we know of.

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

What’s it like to smell in technicolor? What’s it like to hear the squeaks of cockroaches and detect people’s emotions with a sniff or two?

What advice would your dog give if asked?

Abby: Well, Ellen, you’re a pretty good dog owner, all things considered. But you could hold off on some of those baths. Sheesh! Just when I’m starting to smell like a dog you put that goop all over me. I’d like to have less of that and more rotten garbage and dead fish to roll in.

Visit Ellen Jackson's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Michael Morse & Mr. Wilson

Who is in the photo at right?

This is Mr. Wilson and me, Michael Morse, sitting in my backyard on the day we picked him up at a highway rest stop. He’s a two-year-old Schnoodle according to him, a two-year-old mutt according to me. I am a retired Rescue Captain with the Providence, RI Fire Department and author of two books about that, Rescuing Providence, (2007, Paladin Press) and Responding, (2011, EPI) and the forthcoming Mr. Wilson Makes it Home, (Fall, 2014 Skyhorse Publishing) about life with Mr. Wilson.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

My coffee, and now Mr. Wilson are my constant companions every morning; my coffee cup is always close until it’s gone, and Mr. Wilson keeps an eye on me every waking minute.

What's brewing?

My wife and I brew Jim’s Organic Happy House Blend in a Faberware percolator. We order it in five-pound bags direct from Jim and keep it in the freezer. I put a little milk and two Stevias on the bottom of the cup and fill ‘er up three times or until I have to leave the house, whichever comes first.

Any treats for you or Mr. Wilson on this occasion?

My treat is the coffee, Mr. Wilson gets his cookies at bedtime, usually Wellness Well Bars with whitefish and sweet potatoes.

How were you and Mr. Wilson united?

Mrs. Morse thought I was a little lost without a dog in my life – we had been without for over three years - and decided to get me us a dog for my birthday. She Googled “little dogs that don’t shed for adoption in Rhode Island” and Wilson (the Mr. was added later) appeared. He was actually in Arkansas, and through the combined efforts of Friends of Homeless Animals, RI, Alpha Pet Transport, a lady named Cheri and a great network of volunteers a week after her first sighting on our monitor the little guy showed up in Connecticut with about twenty other dogs that had been adopted. It was truly a magical moment, I was so moved by the experience I wrote the book.

How did Mr. Wilson get his name? Any aliases?

He came to us simply as Wilson. We have no idea why we call him Mr. Wilson but we do know that he likes it better. He also likes “W” “Schmedly,” (only when we call him in from outside) and “Potato.”

Does Mr. Wilson do more to help or hinder your writing?

There’s something about this little guy, he just makes everything I do better, and my writing has become less forced and much more natural. I still have to dig into my forehead with a dull knife for the right word now and then, but it is a lot less painful.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

He learned right quick to not chase the cats, both female Maine Coons, and loves to bark at the postman but lives for chasing the squirrels that gather at the bottom of our birdfeeders. If the cats dressed up like squirrels and delivered the mail I think he would have a sensory overload and die a happy dog.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

He loves his squeaky toys and treats them like delicate little flowers, nibbles rather than chews and is especially fond of his purple monkey.

Who is Mr. Wilson's best pet-pal?

Why, me of course!

What is Mr. Wilson's best quality?

He’s just kind. Simple as that.

If Mr. Wilson could change one thing about you, what would it be?

He doesn’t like the way I drive.

If Mr. Wilson 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 Mr. Wilson could speak, who should voice him?

Will Ferrell acting like Andy Griffith in a remake of Mayberry RFD.

Visit the Mr. Wilson Makes it Home blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Margaret Simon & Charlie

Who is in the photo at right?

That's me, Margaret Simon, and my male schnoodle Charlie, 5 years. I teach gifted elementary students. I released my first novel for young readers, Blessen in April 2012.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Charlie and I have early morning coffee every morning. He warms my lap while I wake up and warm up.

What's brewing?

I start with warming organic milk in the microwave, froth it, and add Community Coffee, Between Roast.

Any treats for you or Charlie on this occasion?

While I go through my coffee making routine, Charlie sits and stares at the cabinet where his treats are kept. He gets an organic doggie biscuit.

How were you and Charlie united?

Charlie is my “empty nest’ dog. My third daughter was a senior in high school when we found an ad for schnoodles in the Quick Quarter. I was looking for a poodle mix. When we went to pick out a puppy, Charlie was the one who completely calmed down in my arms. It was meant to be.

How did your Charlie get his name?

My husband and I have three daughters. We had picked out boy names, but never had the chance to use them. When we were brainstorming names for our new puppy, we said aloud the boy names. Charles was my maternal grandfather’s name. Charlie was just right. Charlie loves his name. You can make the “ch’ sound and he comes running with his tail wagging.

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

Charlie lies on my lap when I write. He usually sleeps warming and comforting me.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Charlie loves cats. We adopted two grey kittens a few years ago and Charlie treated them like his own babies. They would even try to nurse on him. (He was not too tolerant of that, though.) Last May I came home with another rescue kitten [photo left, with Charlie]. Mimi and Charlie play together, cuddle together, and love each other.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Charlie plays ball. He will drop the yellow tennis ball at your feet 24 hours a day. When I am on the sofa watching TV, he will jump up and drop the ball right in my lap. Anyone who visits is invited by Charlie to play ball. We have a balcony overlooking our living room. He made up a game. He goes upstairs and tosses the ball off the balcony. If you play, you get more exercise chasing the ball and throwing it upstairs trying to get it between or over the railing.

Does Charlie have a favorite place to go for outings?

Charlie loves to go walking. He knows when I put on my tennis shoes. He gets excited and runs to the door. We walk with my mother-in-law and her dog, Petey, a poodle. They are best friends. We often walk to the park.

Who are Charlie's best pet-pals?

If Charlie is being stubborn about coming to me, I just say “Petey’s here!” and he comes running hoping to go for a walk with his best pal.

What is Charlie's best quality?

Charlie is the perfect dog. Over the years we have had many dogs, a beagle, a mutt, a greyhound, and a miniature dachshund. Out of all these dogs, Charlie, the schnoodle has been the easiest to train and the best behaved. His best quality is how he immediately melts in your arms. He loves to be held.

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

He would want me to stay home all day, so he could be near me.

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

Charlie’s one vice is he eats fabric. Any bedding we give him gets eaten to shreds. I would ask him and I do often, “Why do you eat your bed?”

Visit Margaret Simon's blog, Reflections on the Teche.

--Marshal Zeringue

Jenny Hubbard & Oliver

Who is in the photo at right?

Jenny Hubbard, a young-adult novelist, with Oliver, a seven-year-old Schnoodle (a Schnauzer-poodle mix).

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Every morning in bed, Oliver, my husband, and I have coffee while we read or listen to NPR. My husband prepares it: Starbucks Verona with “steamy milk,” as we call it.

How were you and Oliver united?

I saw his face on a website and knew he was the one. He had been in foster care for two months with Schnauzer Rescue of the Carolinas, who came and interviewed us for the job of Oliver’s parents. We’ve had the job for six months now and wouldn’t trade it for a hatbox full of hundreds (or millions).

How did he get his name? Any nicknames?

He came to us as Oliver. And it’s perfect for him.

He does have a nice little series of nicknames: Cujo (his persona when he’s out for his walk and sees other dogs); The White Shadow (because he follows us at every turn); and Hoover (he’s a canine vacuum in the kitchen).

Does Oliver play any role in your writing?

Yes, he sits in my lap during thunderstorms. I especially love to write on rainy days.

Does Oliver have a favorite place to go for walk?

Any walk is preferable to no walk, but we’ve learned that he prefers the country to the town. Oliver likes to feel a breeze blow through his hair.

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

It appears that toys may be beneath his dignity. He is frightened of the container in which we keep his food (a large clear-plastic bear).

What is Oliver's best quality?

Oliver is a dog that inspires superlatives.

But if I had to choose one, I’d go with his loyalty, his fierce and unwavering loyalty.

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

Michael Caine.

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

He would like for me to be giant-size so that I could carry him everywhere in my pocket.

What's Oliver's proudest moment so far?

He managed to scavenge a chicken bone left over from a picnic during one of our walks through a park and hide it in his mouth for a good, long while.

His most embarrassing?

A bout with diarrhea on my parents’ living-room carpet.

If you could ask Oliver only one question, what would it be?

What about your past still haunts you?

Pat Conroy called Paper Covers Rock, Hubbard's new novel, “one of the best young-adult books [he's] read in years.” It’s “bold,” he says, “pitched to the very heart of boys.”

Learn more about the author/dog-lover at Jenny Hubbard's website.

My Book, The Movie: Paper Covers Rock.

--Marshal Zeringue

T. Lynn Ocean & Captain Salty and Tiki

Who is in the photo at right?

Captain Salty (the Lab) and Tiki (a Schnoodle). Salty is a trained water safety dog but he's 11 and retired years ago. Tiki is almost 5 months old. At first, Salty wanted nothing to do with the new addition, but they quickly became buds. They're always together now.

And in the photo below, left?

I'm T. Lynn Ocean, author of the novels Fool Me Once, Sweet Home Carolina, Southern Fatality, Southern Poison, and Southern Peril (St. Martin's Press).

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I have a tendency to stay up late in the evenings to write, so in the mornings my brain usually screams for coffee. I've tried a bunch of different "chino's" and flavors but my favorite is still a cup of great, straight brew. I'll often grab a cup of Mickey D's in the drive-thru and then hit the beach with the boys. Salty loves to play in the waves. Tiki is scared of the water but he can dig a mean hole in the sand.

What's brewing?

I go with any restaurant that's nearby and quick. For brewing at home, I only buy 8 O'clock Bean coffee in the red bag. It's best if you buy the whole beans and grind them yourself.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

I know breakfast is supposed to be most important meal of the day, but my stomach never wakes up until brunch time. Both of the pooches always get a bite of banana every morning, though, before we hit the beach. Hey, the fresh fruit goes well the little minnows and crabs that Salty tries to catch.

How did your dogs come to be united with you?

When Myrtle Beach, SC, first got it baseball stadium and a single A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, they also got a team dog named Dinger. I was originally involved with helping to train Dinger to do tricks such as run the bases between innings. When Dinger was bred, I got the choice of first puppy. I could tell right off the bat that Salty would be a totally cool, laid back dog, even when he was a little fur ball with huge paws. As far as Tiki goes, he was simply a pup who needed a good home. I adopted him to irritate my husband :) Just like Salty, at first, hubby wanted nothing to do with the new puppy. But hubby soon caved. I actually caught Tiki sleeping in his lap the other day when the football game was on.

Have your dogs influenced your writing in any way?

Every book I've written has had animals in it, including a schizophrenic poodle, a lazy lab, and a thieving raccoon. I love animals and think that they remind humans to be kind and appreciative.

What's an ordinary day like for your dogs?

Is that a trick question? Hello? Sleep, eat, play, pee, poop, walk, repeat.

Who are your dogs' best pet-pals?

My sister has a poodle. The boys love to visit their cousin.

What are your dogs' best qualities?

Salty is just cool; people go out of their way to offer to keep him when I travel out of town. Tiki is outrageously funny, not to mention acrobatic.

What's each dog's most embarrassing moment?

During a July 4th golf cart parade, Salty was dressed in his lifeguard outfit complete with sunglasses, sitting in the front seat. The kids loved it; they were cheering. But after half an hour of riding, he fell asleep and fell out of the cart. And Tiki? While I was housebreaking him (and praising him for pooping in the grass) he got so excited that he fell over into his poop. Can you say, bath time?

T. Lynn Ocean has explored various careers including commercial tread rubber sales and retail management. These days she pretends to be a photographer, enjoys cooking, and will jump at any chance to take a road trip in the name of doing research.

She is the author of the novels Fool Me Once, Sweet Home Carolina, Southern Fatality, Southern Poison, and Southern Peril.

Learn more about the author and her work at T. Lynn Ocean's website.

--Marshal Zeringue