Nan Fischer & Boone

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm Nan Fischer, an author, and that's Boone beside me. He's a Vizsla and almost 15 years old!

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I always bring a coffee down to the beach - Boone's favorite spot. You can't see my mug in the photo - Boone would knock it over. The beach is his favorite place and even at 14.5 he gets the zoomies once he hits the sand.

What's brewing?

I drink my coffee black, use a Jura machine for perfect crema, and prefer Stumptown beans.

Any treats for you or Boone on this occasion?

Boone doesn't get any treats from me at the beach because pretty much every dog owner down there has some in their pockets! Boone didn't always trust strangers so it's a great way to get him to interact in a positive way with people he doesn't know and learn to like them.

How were you and Boone united?

I grew up with rescue Beagles from a medical testing facility, but allergies led my husband and I to get a Vizsla as they're super short haired and easy to keep clean. Even so, my husband had hives around his eyes for a full year before his body got used to Boone! Our dog was rejected from the show ring (of course we think he's perfect) and so the breeder wanted a home for him where he'd have tons of love and exercise and we fit that bill.

How did your dog get his name? Any aliases?

I was flipping through books looking for unique names and saw Boone and it just fit as he's a gift and treasure in our lives. Aliases include Monkey, Sweetpea, Boonimul, and Lovebug.

Does Boone do more to help or hinder your writing?

Boone definitely helps my writing! He sleeps under my desk, keeps me company, and forces me to take breaks to exercise us both!

Has Boone inspired you to create any fictional canines?

Boone is in every single novel I've written! But in The Book of Silver Linings he was the inspiration for a dog named Growler who has behavioral problems and is in danger of being euthanized. Boone, too, had some pretty serious behavioral issues. If my husband and I hadn't been incredibly committed, he probably would've ended up at a shelter with a very bleak future. But we were devoted, stayed consistent, loved him even when it was hard, and he's come a very long way and we couldn't be more proud of him.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Squirrel for sure!

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Boone loves every stuffed toy he's ever gotten and never rips them apart. His favorite is a giant fleece bone.

Who is Boone's best pet-pal?

Boone has never met a little dog he doesn't love. He's over the moon for my sister's dachshund mixes, Sydney and Oskar.

What is Boone's best quality?

Just one??? He's goofy, devoted to us and also lives in the moment.

If Boone could change one thing about people of the Pacific Northwest, what would it be?

He'd probably say that we shouldn't go outside when it rains and is cold. But that would be a lot of the winter.

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

What do you need most from us as you're getting older?

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

Wow! That's a fun question!! Maybe Ashton Kutcher? He strikes me as an actor with an enormous heart, like Boone!

What advice would Boone give if asked?

Live in the moment, try not to bark at strangers, and snuggle whenever possible.

Visit Nan Fischer's website.

Writers Read: Nancy Richardson Fischer (October 2019).

My Book, The Movie: The Speed of Falling Objects.

The Page 69 Test: The Speed of Falling Objects.

--Marshal Zeringue

Morris Ardoin & Hugo

Who is in the photo at right?

I am Morris Ardoin, a PR practitioner in New York City and writer in Cornwallville, a little town in the Catskill mountains. My pooch is Hugo, an 18-month-old Vizsla.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

The only time that Hugo respects my humanly need for consumption without his begging is coffee time. He seems to get that he needs to let me fully awaken so I can devote the rest of my existence each day to his needs. So he lets my have my coffee in peace.

What's brewing?

I use a French press to brew my coffee each morning. Community Coffee, shipped from Baton Rouge, La. is my preferred brew, but when I run out of that, I like a blend of French and regular roast whole beans I get from the Russian market down the block from my apartment in New York. No matter the brew, I take my coffee with whole milk and sugar.

Any treats for you or Hugo on this occasion?

No treats for him or me accompany coffee time – it’s all about the coffee. On big-breakfast weekends, however, that rule goes out the window. And then anything is possible.

How were you and Hugo united?

We got Hugo from the same breeder that sold us our previous pooch, Moby. She only breeds vizslas. Hugo was one of 14 puppies. When we got there, there were only three of the siblings left. Hugo rushed right up to me (the other two were otherwise distracted) – and I said, “This one is Hugo,” and that was that.


How did he get his name? Any nicknames?

After having Moby for 13 years, we were very familiar with the breed; it’s quirks; attributes; and physical aspects. Those all played a part in our brainstorming for names that would work with such a dog. Hugo quickly rose to the top of about 25 names we considered. At first, when he was just a wee little thing, I called him “The Nugget” because of his rich golden color, but he soon owned the name Hugo – and has been called only that ever since.

Is Hugo more of a help or a hinder to your writing?

Unlike Moby, who sat attentively near me as I wrote my book, and genuinely seemed to be interested in what I read back to him, Hugo is aloof – he is not one to listen to reading. If he is not tired, he starts fidgeting pretty quickly, so he has been a bit of a handful to deal with while I write these days. But he’s a love, so I do my best.

You dedicated your new memoir to your late dog Moby? Please tell us about him.

Moby was wonderfully laid back and, like most vizslas, a “Velcro dog” – always clinging to my side. Moby was totally loyal and took commands very readily. It was very difficult to let him go when it was time. He lived 13 too-short years with us and I miss him every day.

Does Hugo have a favorite place to go for walk?

Yes – Hugo loves to walk around our pond in Cornwallville, New York. He actually prefers running to walking – so it is good that we have several acres of property for him to run around on up here in the Catskills.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

All of the above. He has not yet learned that he can’t jump up on the postman or delivery people. He has a knack, though, for putting them at ease with his friendly disposition. He does not come across as menacing. With cats, he’s very playful – but with birds, his hunting instincts kick in, so we have to keep an eye on him.

Who is Hugo's best pet pal?

Hugo’s best pal is Clover, a pit bull mix belonging to one of our close friends. The two of them can spend hours together without tiring. The mention of her name gets him jumping.

What is Hugo's best quality? What was Moby's?

Hugo’s best quality is his gregariousness. He loves all other dogs – has no issues with certain breeds, like some dogs can. He also loves humans. In a group situation, he tends to be the ring-leader. Other dogs love him.

Moby’s best quality was his quiet way of showing affection. He did not jump around like Hugo does; and he was very loyal – and took commands readily. That said, he could be very skittish around certain breeds of dogs.

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

I’m sure Hugo would love for me to quit spending so much time on my laptop – or on anything that takes my attention away from him.

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

Hugo would be voiced by Jim Carrey.

Moby would be voiced by Adam Sandler.

What advice would Hugo give if asked?

Lighten up and play more. Life is short!

Visit Morris Ardoin's website and learn about his memoir, Stone Motel: Memoirs of a Cajun Boy.

The Page 99 Test: Stone Motel.

--Marshal Zeringue

Steve Caplan & Ginger

Who is in the photo at right?

Allow me to introduce Ginger, my great friend and ~5 year old female Vizsla-Labrador retriever, pointer and setter! Oh, and I’m Steve Caplan, a professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. I study membrane trafficking, but in addition, I’m a published author of fiction who has written 3 novels that deal with the lives of everyday scientists and academics, as well as mental health disorders. I also blog on Occam’s Typewriter and write for The Guardian (UK) science page as part of our Occam’s Corner group.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I am belatedly celebrating the publication of my most recent novel, A Degree of Betrayal, a mystery involving a stellar female graduate whose mentor slides into a depression and refuses to allow her to graduate. Someone who read the book recently tweeted that “It’s a must-read for every male scientific PI (principal investigator).”

What's brewing?

For many years I have been highly particular about my coffee and would even prefer tea (yuck) to bad or weak brew. My “Miss Sylvia” Rancilio espresso maker is firing up at this very moment for a double espresso (Lavazza; only the very best!) with a dollop of low fat steamed milk on top.

Any treats for you or Ginger on this occasion?

Ginger is always in favor of treats, and on this occasion it was some Indian curry followed by pistachio nuts. She will happily eat anything that humans eat, including lettuce, celery, spinach, raw kale, etc.

How did Ginger get her name? Any nicknames?

She was initially named Vi by the people at the shelter (being largely a Vizsla), and my daughter suggested Ginger because of her beautiful coloring and eyes. By the way, our family speaks Hebrew at home and Ginger is a bilingual dog. Although there is another word for “ginger” in Hebrew, the English word is typically used in day-to-day Hebrew. Her most frequent nickname is Ginger-baby!

How were you and Ginger united?

That is a fascinating story! About 16 years ago, when my wife and then-3-month old daughter moved from Israel to the US for postdoctoral studies, we brought our 12 year-old dog with us. Our kids grew up hearing countless stories of the semi-mythical canine figure that once played such an essential role in my life, and had been hounding us (pun intended) for years about adopting a dog. We finally overcame the last objections (my wife), with me mortgaging my soul in the process, and set out to adopt a dog last summer. Wanting only a very friendly and affectionate dog who is also active and enjoys long walks, I was convinced that a Labrador or Lab-mix would be a good fit for the family. I looked at dogs for adoption at a local and wonderful no-kill Nebraskan shelter (Hearts United for Animal, or HUA), and found a beautiful looking dog online whose primary description was loving, friendly and affectionate. My daughter, son and I set out to visit the shelter (about 80 miles from where we live), and we met “Vi” (given that name by the shelter because she was mostly, or at least half Vizsla). It was love at first lick. My kids had asked “How will we know if she is the right dog for our family?” After the visit there was no need to answer the question. Ginger fit in as though she had always been the key member of our family. By the way, when we adopted her she had been in the shelter for 3 years, and they had picked her up as a ‘stray’ in a small Nebraskan town when she was approximately 1 year old. The only explanation we could get as to why such a loving and beautiful dog hadn’t been adopted earlier was that people were worried about her highly affectionate nature and tendency to jump up in the air in pure happiness. Their loss and our gain!

Are there any Ginger-inspired dogs in your fiction?

Not yet, but doubtlessly there will be! My previous dog, Rodrigo (named after the Spanish composer) inspired the appearance of Compo (short for composer) in my first novel, Matter Over Mind.

Does Ginger do more to help or hinder your writing?

Ginger never hinders anything. She is the most wonderful wonderful companion, respectful of my work and time. Vizsla’s are known as Velcro dogs because of the way they stick to their humans, and Ginger sticks closer to me than my shadow! I think she ‘imprinted’ on me. But she also knows that I am a sucker for a game of ball or a nice long walk.

Who is Ginger's best pet-pal?

I guess that would have to be Vanilla the Guinea Pig, by default.

Where is Ginger's favorite outdoor destination?

Ginger loves any destination, outdoor or indoor, as long as she is with her humans. Walks to the park with a ‘Chuckit’ and tennis ball are well-loved, but I’d have to say that the few times we’ve taken her to swim in a nearby lake have been a highlight for her. She loves swimming and especially retrieving tennis balls thrown in the water.

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

Tennis ball, Tennis ball, Tennis ball (by the dozen)! Ginger has tremendous stamina, and as a pointer-retriever, she will keep going and retrieving for hours if I can spare the time. She also loves to catch tennis balls in the air or on the first bounce, and I spend a lot of time practicing with her. She leaps high in the air for catches and is very competitive and hates to miss a catch.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Rabbits! Ginger is a Pointer-Retriever, which means that when she spots a rabbit she slinks down really low to the ground and lifts one of her front paws, pointing in the direction of her prey. Now, what she would actually do if she caught a rabbit is another story. My guess would be to lick her to death.

What is Ginger's best quality?

Ginger’s best quality is her personality; her super-sweet affectionate nature. But she is no push-over; she is a dog who knows what she wants and how to ask for it!

If Ginger could change one thing about Nebraskans, what would it be?

I don’t know if this is a common thing in other states in the US (or perhaps other parts of the world), but dogs are loved and revered in Nebraska. It seems that almost everybody has a dog, and they are very well-treated by humans. I was very surprised one Saturday morning when I went through the drive-through bank (a common feature in the mid-west) and Ginger came along for the ride. When my driver’s license (ID) had been returned after I deposited a check via the air-pressure shuttle that sends the capsule to the teller at the window, I found a couple nice dog biscuits had been inserted for Ginger. I’m betting Ginger wishes that all Nebraskans would hand out treats in such a nice way!

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

I had to ask my kids for help on that one: Jennifer Lawrence of The Hunger Games.

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

First, Ginger definitely answers questions, at least in a yes or no manner. For example, if I ask her if she wants to go outside, she will leap vertically 3 feet in the air (seriously!). She makes basketball players look bad. But when Ginger does not want to go out (if it is raining or dark), she sits down where she is when I ask. If I ask her a second time, she then proceeds to lie down, as if to say “What part of ‘no’ is it that you don’t get?!”

But if I could ask her a question that she could answer with more than a yes-no response, it would have to be “Where did you live before you arrived at the shelter (HUA)?"

Visit Steve Caplan's website and Amazon author's page.

--Marshal Zeringue