Susie Kelly & Tally and Dobby

Who is in the photo on the right?

I'm Susie Kelly, a travel writer living in south-west France, with Tally (Talisman de la Sylve de Janus to give him his full name), a 10-year-old Hungarian Vizsla, and 8-year-old Dobby, a very large dog whose only known parent was the cardboard box in which he was found at the gates of the orphanage.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Just stopping by to have a chat before we plan our next misadventure.

What's brewing?

I'm not a great coffee drinker. My preference is for Earl Grey tea – with milk.

Any treats for you and your dogs?

The dogs' biggest treat is a run on the beach, but as we live far from the sea, the next best is to take their memory-foam mattresses out in the garden so they can sunbathe in absolute comfort. My best treat is watching them enjoying themselves.

How did your dogs get their names?

Tally came with his full name from his breeder, who was passionate about the Hungarian Vizsla breed and has imported the stock from all over Europe in his quest to breed the perfect specimen.

Dobby was christened after Harry Potter's house-elf, because when we first got him he was very small with disproportionately large ears.

How were you and your dogs united?

I drove two hundred miles to collect Tally, a fat little bundle whose coat was far too big for him. He curled up tightly on my friend's lap and slept all the way home. Dobby came from an animal sanctuary who had found him abandoned at their gates in a cardboard box. We wanted a small companion for Tally, and Dobby was expected to grow to about Beagle size. Instead he grew to about the size of a Great Dane.

Who are your dogs' best pet-pals?

They're best friends with each other, although Dobby also adores our feral cat, Tigger.

Do your dogs contribute to your writing?

They are essential to it! Tally and Dobby are the stars of Travels with Tinkerbelle – 6,000 miles around France in a Mechanical Wreck. Our original plan to take Tally on holiday with us in the car, with a tent, turned into a major logistical challenge once we acquired Dobby to keep him company on our travels. We had not anticipated just how huge he would grow, nor how quickly, and had to change our plans radically and buy a camping car to accommodate us all. Dobby spent most of our 7-week journey trying to eat his way through the camper and all its contents when he and Tally weren't galloping around on the beach or in the hills.

Squeaky toy, ball, stick?

They have special blankets made of Merino wool, which they take everywhere. They bring them wherever we are in the house so that they can lie in comfort, and drag them to the car when we are going out. Sometimes Tally takes his with us on our walks, but usually abandons it somewhere en route, so we have to go back and hunt for it, because when he's ready for bed at night, he can't settle without it.

Even when we go away on holiday, the blankets must come too.

Rabbit, postman, cat?

Both are very sociable dogs, and they get on with most other creatures as long as they don't run. Running is an invitation to play chase....

What is each dog's best quality?

Tally's most endearing traits are his sense of fun and enthusiasm, while Dobby is outstandingly loyal, never more than a few inches away. Like Tally he is very sociable, and he's also very protective of us.

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

It would be to ensure that so many of them do not keep their gun dogs living in cages outside the shooting season. They don't like to see dogs imprisoned in small spaces for months at a time.

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

With Dobby's dark good looks and fine singing voice I think Joaquin Phoenix would be a great choice. As Tally tends to hit the very high notes when he's excited, then Maria Carey would play him well.

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

What I'd like to ask the dogs is this: "Is it to test how much I love you that as soon as I've cleaned the house you go and find sticks to chew up all over the place?"

Visit Susie Kelly's blog, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

--Marshal Zeringue

Kim Culbertson & Maya

Who is in the photo at right?

This is Maya. She’s a four year old Vizsla. And I’m Kim Culbertson. I write YA novels and teach high school. If Maya could introduce me, she would probably say that I feed her, don’t walk her nearly enough, and for some reason seem to think the couch belongs to the humans. Maya would explain that I am mistaken. She lets us use her couch.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

The morning works like this. Maya gets her food. Then, I get my coffee. Please do not reverse the order.

What's brewing?

We’re an Illy household. Every morning, my husband makes me a latte. 1% milk. Illy espresso. Mmmmmmmm.

Any treats for you or your dog on this occasion?

Maya gets her breakfast while my seven year old gets cereal or waffles and my husband and I get Illy. I like our mornings.

How did Maya get her name? Any aliases?

We’ve always loved Maya Angelou as a poet, so I’d love to say we named her in a sort of literary way but my daughter really liked the name Maya. She was almost four when we got Maya and she was the one who suggested the name. When we asked her why, she said, “Because I like it.” Maya now has several other names that have evolved into the following: Maya-Papaya-reddish-leaf eater- spazzy McSpazzerson. Yes, she is a spaz and really likes to eat leaves. She cares about her fiber intake.

How were you and your dog united?

My daughter picked Maya. We looked at a litter of Vizslas, and, at first, I wanted a different dog. Maya was skinny and had a funny bump on her head and seemed scared, but she came out of the little kennel, sniffed my daughter, and then promptly curled up in her lap, gazing at her with rapt adoration. “This one,” my daughter told us. There was no argument. Turns out, the one I had initially liked tried to run away from us when they brought her out. My daughter has very good instincts.

Does Maya play any role in your writing?

When I’m stuck on a scene, I often grab her leash and take her for a walk. Sometimes, we walk for a long time and sometimes I get hit with an idea in ten minutes and we turn around. She is very patient with me.

Who are Maya's best pet-pals?

My parents live about five minutes away and have Maya’s brother, Max. Maya and Max play often. They also have a huge German Shepard friend named Blitzen. When Max and Blitzen play, Maya mostly tolerates them with a look that says, “Men.” I swear my dog can roll her eyes.

Squirrel, cat, postman...?

Maya and our postman have an understanding. He pets her and tells her how pretty she is and she stops barking at him. This seems to work for them.

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

She’s a Vizsla. If you throw something, she might bring it back once. If you throw it again, she’ll look at you like, “I got it the first time. Get it yourself.”

What is Maya's best quality?

She is the sweetest girl. My daughter occasionally has trouble falling asleep and Maya will sit very still, right alongside of her, until she falls asleep and then creep out of the room so she doesn’t wake her. My daughter wants people to know that Maya's very patient with small children. That's her best quality.

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

I would be home more (read: every second of every day). And I wouldn’t be so stingy with the Greenies.

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

Ginnifer Goodwin. Plucky, sweet, but with a nice dash of sass.

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

Maya – you’re patient, kind, understanding and always in love with us. What did we do to deserve you? Seriously, if the world were like my dog, there would be no strife.

Visit Kim Culbertson's website, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

Writers Read: Kim Culbertson .

--Marshal Zeringue

Elizabeth Speller & Erwin

Who is in the photo at right?

That's me, Elizabeth Speller, and my dog. I write poetry, books on history and travel and, more recently, novels set in the 1920’s. My dog is an eight month old Hungarian Viszla, his name is Erwin. Viszlas (or Vislak, correctly!) are very loving and are scarcely ever more than a few inches away (some people call them Velcro dogs). When they are at any distance they are 100% energy and bounce a lot. Mostly they believe they are lap dogs. This was OK when he was a puppy but is becoming more overwhelming!

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Erwin believes he shares every part of my life. I wouldn’t yet trust him in a coffee shop but he likes to pretend to relax next to me in the garden as I have my summer’s day coffee in the hope I’ll put my mug down within tongue reach.

What's brewing?

Nespresso. I choose entirely on pod colour – I love the dusky pink pods and deep sinful purple ones, cream ones and a summery sky blue. Not keen on bile yellow or the unattractively cold dark green. Mornings I have cappuccino. Later I have decaf espresso (deep terracotta): Erwin likes it too though is not allowed to have it. He also likes the discarded pods and I am often to be found with my hand deep in his mouth retrieving them.

Any treats for you or Erwin on this occasion?

My treat is sunshine and the paper but I feed him chews to distract him from what would be his greatest treat: trying to share my coffee or eat the newspaper.

How were you and Erwin united?

I shared rooms at Cambridge with a friend who was training to become a Vet. She is now qualified and breeds Viszlas and offered a puppy to me as she knew I was looking for a new dog and she said his hair was the same colour as mine.

How did he get his name? Any nicknames?

After Erwin Schrödinger – the Hungarian physicist (being a Hungarian dog). I am not sure his genius is reflected in my dog’s psyche (though he may be biding his time) but quantum mechanics is a bit of a mystery to me too.

Does Erwin play any role in your writing?

Distraction, mostly. He tries to climb on my lap and when he succeeds bashes his great paws on the keyboard. He also eats my reference books given half a chance.

Does Erwin have a favorite place to go for walk?

I live in the Cotswold hills in the west of England. We can walk straight from my garden through a wood with an ancient Roman spring and, in May, lots of bluebells, and on into valleys full of challenges (squirrels, partridge mud, badger setts, rotting things) for a growing dog.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

Wily postman carries dog biscuits and Erwin’s attempts to be a cat-vanquisher have come to grief with my very old stiff cat who chases him off, sits on his chair, eats his food and generally shows him what’s what in the matter of power dynamics.

What is Erwin's best quality?

His affectionate, gentle nature and his handsomeness.

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

That they would share their Haribou.

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

Proudest moment – catching a fly.

Most embarrassing – (apart from causing me to explain to American Express that he’d devoured my card) he chewed up my daughter’s Kindle. I was all set to deny it was him but as someone who writes mysteries, had to accept the tooth-marks were a pretty incontrovertible clue.

Visit Elizabeth Speller's website.

Her new (in the U.S.) novel, The Return of Captain John Emmett, is now a Richard & Judy Book Club featured book.

Speller's second novel, The Strange Fate of Kitty Easton, a mystery set in 1924, in the ancient landscape between Stonehenge and the Savernake Forest, is available now in the U.K. and arrives in the U.S. in the coming spring.

--Marshal Zeringue

Megan & Booker

Who is in the photo at right?

Hi, I’m Megan! I have a blog called Greetings from Texas. And with me is Booker, a 4 year old Viszla/Beagle mix.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Work. Booker often sits with me while I work, write, and drink coffee. Sometimes he even gets on the computer himself.

What's brewing?

Dunkin Donuts. It’s unfortunately Dunkin Donuts from the grocery store. Houston doesn’t have any Dunkin Donut stores which is upsetting. I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage your many followers to open up a Dunkin Donuts store in Houston. I’ll commit to daily patronage right here, right now.

Any goodies to go with the coffee.

Not today, though a donut would totally hit the spot.

Any treat for Booker on this occasion?

A bone of course.

How were you and Booker united?

My husband and I spotted him at the Anti Cruelty Society in Chicago and took him home that day. Hands down, best decision of our lives!

What does Booker contribute to your blog?

Constant inspiration. The time he attacked the cable guy comes to mind. As does his Thundershirt.

How did you come up with Booker's name? Any aliases?

We adopted him with the name and liked it. It fits him. It’s unique and so is Booker.

Cat, squirrel, postman...?

Duck.

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

Duck. Booker’s favorite toy is a duck. He usually goes through one a week as he chews them up into little pieces.

Where is Booker's favorite place for outings?

The dog park near our house.

Who are Booker's best pet-pals?

His cousins that live in Chicago; Henry, Macks, and Gus.

What is Booker's best quality?

He’s very sensitive. He takes it very hard when we have to leave the house without him.

Veterinarians and other animal experts would call this separation anxiety... I just say he’s sensitive. No need to label everything, right?

What is Booker's proudest moment? Most embarrassing?

This winter, on a particularly bitter day in Milwaukee, Booker peed in the parking garage of my parents’ high rise building. Apparently he couldn’t wait until we got outside. I was proud because it was freezing outside and had no desire to confront the cold.

Ironically, this was my mom’s most embarrassing moment with Booker - apparently dogs aren’t supposed to pee in the parking garage.

Visit the Greetings from Texas blog.

--Marshal Zeringue