Cindy Orlandi & Trent

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm Cindy Orlandi. I write business proposals by day and am Trent’s chauffeur, nursemaid and ghostwriter by night. Trent is a 3 ½ year old male Weimaraner and author of Love is a Dog and Some Crayons: A Weimaraner Coloring Book to benefit Great Lakes Weimaraner Rescue.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Coffee always keeps me going just like Trent.

What's brewing?

Decaf, as I drink too much.

Any treats for you or Trent on this occasion?

Trent enjoys All Natural Dog Treats as both he and his brother won some for their photos and videos on the Happy Howie’s Facebook page.

How were you and Trent united?

Great Lakes Weimaraner Rescue.

How did your dog get his name? Any aliases?

My husband named Trent. My first Weimaraner was Donner and so I named some of my other Weims after reindeer, think Comet and Blitzen. Trent has a pink nose so he is also my Rudolph.

Please tell us about your new book?

Love is a Dog and Some Crayons brings new meaning to phrases like “Work Like a Dog” and “A Dog is Man’s Best Friend.” Who says “You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks”?

Besides more than 20 pages of Weimaraners to color, this 48-page coloring book includes information on choosing and training your dog from knowledgeable individuals and organizations such as the Weimaraner Club of America and American Kennel Club. Trent’s book is for you whether your family is considering adopting a puppy or rescuing a dog like him. You’ll find questions to ask breeders before you buy. And, no matter where you live, you’ll find a rescue near you as this book lists U.S. and International Weimaraner rescue groups and tells you how to contact them.

Coloring is fun, educational and isn’t just for kids anymore. Like dogs who help us live in the moment, coloring is a great stress reliever. People who love dogs are happier, and once you love a Weimaraner you join our club that is forever loyal to the breed. We even have our own Facebook page to post a photo of your own Weimaraner and/or show us a page that you’ve colored from Trent’s book.

“Dog gone it,” just buy this book. Profits will go to Great Lakes Weimaraner Rescue, a 501c3 federally-recognized nonprofit organization. Trent is donating his author’s compensation to GLWR and Brent Darnell of BDI Publishers also generously is donating to help our volunteers help more dogs like Trent.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

UPS delivery guy.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Anything in the monthly Barkbox.

Who is Trent's best pet-pal?

His brother, Blue, a weimaraner lab mix that we got from Michigan Weimaraner Rescue.

What is Trent's best quality?

Courage as an epilepsy warrior and the ability to help me live in the moment like all my dogs.

Where is Trent's favorite outdoor destination?

The local metropark.

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

I am stingy with treats because I worry about the weight he has put on since taking AES medications.

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

What other languages do you speak? Could you translate your book for us?

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

Michael J. Fox, another talent who shows tremendous courage.

What advice would Trent give if asked?

How to color yourself happy instead of grey.

Like the Love is a Dog and Some Crayons Facebook page and visit the Great Lakes Weimaraner Rescue website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Elizabeth Halt & Atlas

Who is in the photo at right?

That's me, Elizabeth Halt, and my best friend Atlas on our 11 year anniversary hike in the Porcupine Mountains.

I'm a former engineer turned artist, storyteller, reiki person & part-time barista. Atlas helps me with everything.

Atlas is a weimaraner who will turn 12 this month. He is much larger than the typical weim. He started out as a show dog but then he grew too tall and neither of us minded.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I had a morning shift at the cafe, so I brought a drink home with me.

What's brewing?

Big Water Coffee Roasters espresso, in the form of a caramel latte.

Any treats for you or Atlas on this occasion?

The latte was my treat. Atlas had some peanut butter dog cookies.

How did Atlas get his name? Any aliases?

Atlas was named after one of my favorite books, Atlas Shrugged, and the Greek myth. I thought that Atlas held the world on his shoulders and, even before I got my weim - I had the name before the dog - I knew I would adore him to pieces, so the name felt appropriate.

How were you and Atlas united?

This is really two stories. Story the first: how I went from not-a-dog-person to uber-dog-person. Story the second: how I found my very own weimaraner. But the short version is - it was fate.

Squirrel, postman, cat....?

The great loves of Atlas's life, in order of importance: cats, food, and me. (He is somewhat famous for his obsessive love of cats.)

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

Atlas does not care about toys. He likes sticks; they are good for eating. (As are toilet paper tubes. He can sniff them out no matter where they're hidden.)

Where is Atlas's favorite outdoor destination?

Atlas just likes to be outside, regardless of the destination.

What is Atlas's best quality?

If I had to narrow it down, it would probably be his incredibly sweet + loving nature and his ability to be fully present.

If Atlas could change one thing about Yoopers, what would it be?

Humorously, he would probably have them move somewhere where there is less snow in the winter.

This is his second winter in the Arctic (his words) and he is not entirely a fan.

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

I know who has the perfect voice for Atlas! It's not an actor but a singer -- Leonard Cohen.

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

What can I do to make your life better?

What advice would Atlas give if asked?

You can never take too many naps.

Will that advice work for you?

Unfortunately not. I do love naps, but more than one (and sometimes even one) can disrupt my night-time sleep.

Visit Elizabeth Halt's website and Twitter perch, and follow Atlas on Facebook.

--Marshal Zeringue

Michelle & Goose

Who is in the photo at right?

That's me, Michelle. I am a pastor for the United Methodist Church. I serve a church in Utah. In fact I serve the church that I grew up in. That is a rare thing to happen, but I could not imagine being anywhere else. And that is my companion Goose. He is a male Weimaraner who is 12 1/2 years old.

At the church I serve every 3rd Sunday of the month we have Bring Your Dog to Worship. It is very popular and the people, and the dogs, really enjoy it. For some people it is much easier to attend a worship service if they can bring their dog, their companion. It is most certainly something I look forward to.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Every morning Goose and I get up at 4:45AM and sit on the patio to watch the sun come up, pray, read a devotion and listen for what God has to say. It is our special time together. We do this each morning no matter what the weather. Well, except if it is raining; Goose does not like to be out in the rain.

What's brewing?

I have whatever kind of coffee is in the cupboard. Usually it is some sort of hazelnut brew. In the dog days of summer it is iced. Before I go to bed I get it ready and when I get up it is brewed and all that is needed is to grab a cup and head to the patio.

Today's selection is a Blue Mountain brew that was a gift from a friend.

Any treats for you or Goose on this occasion?

No treat for me, per se, just my Greek yogurt, pomegranate. The treat for Goose is he gets to lick out the cup. I always leave a little extra in there for him.

How did Goose get his name? Any aliases?

Goose came with his name. Twelve years ago I walked into a pet store to get some rocks for two Gecko lizards, Spot and Bob. New Hope foundation was there with puppies for adoption. I hurried past them and headed for the rocks. I had no intention of getting another dog. My last dog, Pete, had been my companion for over 14 years. He was a Lab Great Dane mix, 140lbs on love. When he went to the rainbow bridge the day before Thanksgiving I vowed to never have another dog. And for years I held to that. Then I walked into that store. When I walked to up to pay for the rocks there was Goose, 6 months old, in a wire cage that he was too big for, his tail sticking out. The checkout line was long. So there I stood, next to Goose, trying not to look at him. The volunteer noticed me and started talking with me, finally saying "would you like to walk him outside, I'll hold your rocks." So I did and I fell in love. But I was still determined to not have another dog. When I came back in and she put him back in his cage, something happened. I took my rocks and walked to the back of the store. I called a colleague and simply said, "Do you think it is time?" I did not tell her what I was talking about, but she said, "Yes it is time. It is time that you let another dog into your heart." What could I do? I went back up front and the volunteer handed me the leash. We talked some more. That's when I found out they were asking $600 for Goose's adoption because he came from a championship line of Weimaraners. I handed the leash back, there was no way I could afford that. I got back in line to pay for the rocks. Then the volunteer tapped me on the shoulder and said, "I know you will give him a good home. He is meant to be with you. If you will take him home he is yours, no charge." Goose's full name is Sir King Goose the III. I was not sure if I would keep the name. But it quickly became apparent that he was a Goose. The reason is because whenever he wanted my attention, or wanted to play, he would "goose" me. Yep, poke me in the butt with his nose. So Goose it was. He is also known as Gooseberry, Bubba Goose, and Gooie.

Squirrel, cat, postman...?

For Goose all are on the list, well, except postman. He loves the postman. He also has a fondness for skunks. Last year he "kissed" six of them.

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

This is a no-brainer: sticks. Goose is the King of Sticks. No matter the size, from twigs to fallen trees. They are all pure enjoyment for him.

Who is Goose's best pet-pal?

Goose has so many friends. But I would have to say it is Bert from Four Legged Views. He goes to Bert's place several times a week while I am at work. And they go on great adventures in the mountains and at the Fort a couple times a week. Of course he has a special fondness for his gal pal Belle. They have known each other for a long time and have had some great camping and backpacking adventures together. She is his beautiful Belle.

What is Goose's best quality?

Hummmm. He has many it is hard to choose. His devotion and commitment to me is incredible. He is very in-tune to me, even when I am not aware of what is going on. Because of some medical issues I have there are times that I will start to slip into a coma. Sometimes I am not aware that it is happening, but Goose does and he does everything he can to make me aware what is going on so I can take some meds to bring me back. Even when I am sleeping he will try to pull me out of bed, jump on the bed, bark in my face and so forth. He was not trained to do this, he just knows what is happening and makes sure I am OK. It has been a life saving connection we have that I can only explain as a gift from God.

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

Being Goose and who he is, I think he would say he would not change a thing. He loves me for who I am.

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

I don't know why but I would have to say Morgan Freeman. Maybe because when we watch something with Mr. Freeman in it Goose goes up to the TV and stares at the TV tilting his head from side to side. It's like he is listening to his own voice.

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

Just one? I would ask him why he enjoys sticks so much. Why they bring him so much joy.

Visit the Gospel of Goose blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Terry Nebeker & Sandy

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm Terry Nebeker, a bookseller at One More Page Books in Arlington, VA. 

Sandy's an 8-year-old Weimaraner who loves books, so we call her "The Weimareader." She devours them. And I mean that quite literally.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

It's a beautiful morning here outside the DC area--the cherry blossoms are busting open.

I love to sit out on the deck with Sandy, and she loves it when I go back inside to get something or answer the phone because then she can drink my coffee.

What's brewing?

We sell this great coffee at the bookstore. It's called Larry's Beans. It's Fair Trade, Organic, Shade Grown, all kinds of good stuff. They have a great sense of humor. The bag alone is worth the purchase. Much better reading than a cereal box. Here's an example from the back of my bag of "Frankie's Blend: Club Sumatra Extra Dark" ground beans: "Captain airTIGHT urges you to reseal this bag!" Any product with its own superhero is a winner.

Any treats for you or Sandy on this occasion?

A big bowl of ice cubes for Sandy. She loves them. But apparently they taste better out of the bowl. She keeps pawing at it so they spill out.

How did Sandy get her name? Any aliases?

Sandy came with her name. She has many aliases. There's "The Weimareader," as I mentioned. That morphs into "The Weimareater" when she finds something she's not supposed to have--usually a paper product of some kind. She's pretty sassy so sometimes she's "Sassafrass," or "Sassquatch." It can even get as bad as "Sasser Arafat." Some days I come home from the store and ask, "How was Sandy today?" and the response will be "Sasstastic." It's a theme.

How were you and Sandy united?

I got her from Lost Dog Rescue here in Arlington. I've always loved these short-haired hunting dogs, but they need so much exercise I never thought I could own one. Sandy has epilepsy, so she takes medication that makes her a little more chill. A good walk every day and little Frisbee or ball in the back yard seems to work okay.

Does Sandy spend much time with you at One More Page Books? Is she more intrigued by the books or the wine?

She visits occasionally, usually on a quiet Sunday afternoon. But she gets restless, and would really love nothing more than to retreat to a corner with a really good hardback. And that doesn't end well for the book. Some titles she's really enjoyed at home are Swamplandia! by Karen Russell, The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown, and Bake Sale by Sara Varon. I was so sad about that one. I'd gotten it for free at the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance trade show. I was very attached to it. My daughter bought me a replacement one for Christmas.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

She's intrigued by squirrels, would chase birds if she could, is suspicious of cats, and barks at the doorbell. My daughter has three pet rats that confound her. They are too quick and they don't have a good sense of personal space. Sometimes she tolerates them; sometimes she snaps at them.

Squeaky-top, ball, Frisbee...?

Outside, her favorite thing to do is retrieve: the Frisbee, the Chuck-It ball, a stick. She brings it back every time. Inside, she really enjoys a good squeaky tennis ball. We get those AirKong balls with the short nap and a squeaker. Heaven.

What is Sandy's best quality?

She loves to ride in the car and that makes her a great companion. She does really well-off leash so we can just wander out of the house, hop in the car and run errands. Sometimes she'll jump into the front seat and sit there looking so much like a person. We don't let her ride up there but it's great when you're sitting with her in the grocery store parking lot. But I can't leave her alone with any groceries in the car. She's pretty skilled for someone without thumbs. One time I ran out to get a carton of eggs and popped into the bookstore to drop something off. I'd hidden the eggs under the driver's seat. She ate the carton and left the eggs behind, none broken.

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

She would love it if I dedicated every day to playing outside with her. Also, she would appreciate my tossing the occasional roll of toilet paper her way. The cardboard center is the best--kinda like a Tootsie Pop!

What is Sandy's proudest moment?

When she's discovered an unguarded paper bag or tissue box.

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

I think any of those wonderful Saturday Night Live women would do a fine job--Kristen Wiig, or perhaps Tina Fey. Someone who can change gears rapidly. Focus isn't always Sandy's forte

Visit the One More Page Books website and blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Mary Beth Hall & Blaze, Cooper, Halle, and Benelli

Who is in the photo at right?

My name is Mary Beth Hall and I am a Chief County Dog Warden in Ohio. I have authored several blog spots at Coonhound Companions and quite a few professional articles, but I have no books to my credit…never enough time in the day.

With me is Blaze the coonhound.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Blaze came to work with me today in Marysville, Ohio. I love a cup of coffee to warm me up on cold days. There’s nothing quite like the feel of that warm cup in your hand to bolster your soul.

What's brewing?

My favorite! Carmel Latte Light! I am a sucker for that treat. Blaze gets the whipped cream.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

Not today. Blaze is very focused on the tennis balls resting in the door of my truck that I use to capture strays. Perhaps a game of fetch is at hand for lunch time.

What is Blaze’s best quality?

Blaze is a clown. He can always bring a smile to my face and make me life. He’s also incredibly affectionate without any personal boundaries at all. He loves to be picked up and held on his back like a baby…all 59 lbs of him! My dogs work hard to take care of me and make sure I’m happy.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

My sister named Blaze for me. Everyone was encouraging me to give him a Harry Potter type name, but I kept focusing on the lightning blaze marking down his back. My sister said, “well, Harry Potter got his blaze thanks to Voldemort.” I instantly grabbed his papers and wrote Blazn’ Thanks to Voldemort. Blaze has many nicknames like Bob, Blazn’ Bobby G, Blaze-O, and more.

Cooper, aka, Grauschattens Ghostly Encore, or Super Duper Pooper Scooper, or Soup, picked his name. I had other ones picked out that didn’t suit him. Someone was reading the paper and saw the name “Cooper,” said it out loud, and the sleeping 9 week old puppy jumped up and came right to them. I gave up. He got the name he wanted.

Halle [photo right] was named for Halley’s comet. She recently succumbed at age 15 to laryngeal paralysis.

Benelli was named for a favorite shotgun. His nickname is Ben Jammin’, Bennihanna, Hanna, etc.

How were you and your dogs united?

I captured Blaze, a Treeing Walker Coonhound, at 4 months of age on a frigid day in February. He laid his head on my shoulder and snuggled up, and I’m sure you can figure out why I became a “foster failure” for the first time, even though I’ve fostered hundreds of other shelter dogs and never kept one. Perhaps that day out on patrol in the freezing cold was my best day on the job ever!

Ben is Cooper’s son.

Halle was a boyfriend’s dog who totally and completely stole my heart.

Cooper [photo left] was the “chosen one.” I had a Weimaraner that was my search and rescue dog that I lost to cancer at 8 years of age. I was so crushed that I made a search to find the healthiest, smartest, best Weimaraner in the world. That was Cooper!

Who are your dogs' best pet pals?

Cooper’s best friends have all passed away. He had lots of girlfriends including a Weimaraner, a Rottweiler, and a German Shepherd. Blaze adores me, but equally loves to play with anyone anytime. Ben is pretty happy go lucky and doesn’t play favorites. Blaze and Ben often sleep on one dog bed together. Halle and Cooper had a very special relationship.

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

Aunt Lynnie’s house or to go for a flat out run across the farm fields and through the woods behind my property.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

Blaze unfortunately has an affinity for deer that I have to be very watchful about. Cooper has declared war on all groundhogs. The cat runs the house! And with all of them being therapy dogs, even the postman is welcome.

Squeaky-toy, ball, Frisbee...?

For Blaze it's squeaky balls. He is ball crazy! Ben and Cooper like soft fuzzy toys.

What role have your dogs played in your job?

They go to nursing homes, youth jail programs, schools, and libraries when I have a free moment from my law enforcement duties. They also helps me catch stray dogs with his winning personality. I once chased a dog through a pen with a bull and his lady friends. I was very concerned about the stray harming these very expensive and loved cattle. I basically tagged along behind this dog forever without making any progress at convincing the dog to come to me until I got Blaze out. I grabbed Blaze and a tennis ball and some treats. Blaze play bowed and wiggled and within less than a minute I had the stray on a leash and safely in my truck.

In your capacity as the County Dog Warden, what are three things about which people need reminding?

Everyone needs to license their dogs! It doesn’t matter if “my dog always stays in the house.” Bad things happen to good people and good dogs, and that dog license is great protection for those situations. Not only that, it’s a small price to pay to support local shelters and their work.

Second would be that being a Dog Warden doesn’t mean that you don’t love dogs. Au contraire, 99.9% of Dog Wardens adore dogs! We do this difficult job because it’s a way we can help the critters we love and a way to give back to the community every day.

Third, I would recommend people have patience with their neighbors. We always believe that Fluffy can do no wrong. Rarely do neighbors allow their dogs to bark, run loose, fight, get in trash, etc with the intent to drive their neighbors crazy. They believe in their heart that their dog is perfect and have a difficult time seeing their own dog’s shortcomings. These situations are often fixed by some education.

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

Cooper, my Weimaraner would definitely be David Hasselhoff. He’s 100% Baywatch lifeguard in his personality (and he is both a show champion and very athletic with performance titles). Halle the Lab that I recently lost would of course been the beautiful & talented Halle Berry. Benelli, my Weimaraner puppy is a total goofball. He’s always happy and I swear he rarely has a thought in his head. Pick your favorite dog cartoon character and that would probably be him! Blaze, the Treeing Walker Coonhound would have to be portrayed by someone who is a clown yet has a booming voice. Blaze’s songs can be heard over a mile away!

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

Legislatively, it’s been difficult to make improvements in Ohio’s animal cruelty and dangerous dog legislation. The legislators and interested parties work hard at it, but national organizations seem to stop up the good works with their lobbying. My dogs would love to see better laws to protect them and their friends!

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

My dogs like to be happy all the time. They absolutely melts under stress. I stress at competitions and sometimes bring the stress of the job home with me. They would like me to always “Seize the Day” and be happy go lucky.

--Marshal Zeringue

Nancy Jensen & Gordy

Who is in the photo at right?

This is a photo I had taken of me, Nancy Jensen, with my dog Gordy when my editor told me I needed some new press photos in preparation for the publication of my novel The Sisters. I hate to be photographed, so I took Gordy with me to help keep me relaxed during the shoot. I also took the chance to ask the photographer to take a photograph of me and Gordy together, as I’ve found it very difficult to get my wiggly dog to sit still for any photo at all. Whenever I try to snap a shot of him, he dances around, obviously waiting for me to toss the camera across the yard for him.

Gordy is five years old, a Heinz 57 stray. When he first turned up, everyone assumed he was Black Labrador mix, but I had a DNA analysis done, and it turns out he’s about 40% Beagle, followed by lesser percentages of Afghan hound, Rottweiler, Weimaraner, and several other breeds.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Here [photo left], Gordy is enjoying a break with his beloved surrogate grandma, Mia Culling, who is also the brilliant trainer who had, luckily for me, just moved to the rural area where I was living when 6-week old Gordy turned up at my house frozen and starving in February 2007. This is Mia’s kitchen, one Gordy’s happiest places on earth.

What's brewing?

Today, we’re actually having tea—nothing fancy. I have some, too. But I’m taking the picture.

Any treats for you or Gordy on this occasion?

Indeed, yes! Grandma Mia had prepared some delicious sweet corn muffins, so Gordy could share in the snack!

How were you and Gordy united?

It was a frigid mid-February day, five inches of snow on the ground with more expected. The sun was just going down when I heard a piteous cry coming from the hill sloping down from my deck. I saw a tiny black smudge racing across the yard, so I ran out to my front porch and saw the smudge about to disappear over another hill beyond my neighbor’s house. Very quietly, so quietly I could barely hear it myself, I whispered, “Puppy?” The little smudge flipped around, came racing toward me, leapt into my arms, snuffled with relief and fell asleep. Suddenly I, confirmed cat lady, had a dog.

How did Gordy get his name? Any aliases?

Gordy’s real name is Gordian, as testament to the Gordian Knot—the classical knot so complex it can never be untied—around my heart. He became Gordy right away, because he was too cute for such a formal name.

What role has Gordy played in your writing?

Mostly Gordy flips at my arm with his nose when I’m trying to type. In the spring of 2010, when I was working to meet a deadline for revisions, he also helped by barking madly every time he heard the tiniest movement coming from the five men who were putting a new roof on my house. In The Sisters, my character Grace takes in all kinds of stray animals, and while I think she would have been this sort of person anyway, perhaps if it had not been for Gordy, Grace’s dog Charlemagne would not have found his way into the story.

Please tell us about Gordy's work as a therapy dog.

The amazing Mia, who trained Gordy (and trained me to train him) invited us to join her pet therapy group as soon as Gordy graduated from obedience training, when he was about 12 weeks old, so he has worked as a therapy dog nearly all his life. Our group visits nursing homes and adult day care centers, and the latter are the places Gordy likes most to visit. Many of these centers cater to adults with severe disabilities, providing the care they need during the day while their families work. Gordy has a particular gift for locating and befriending people who are agitated or uncommunicative. As soon as he nudges them, the nervous people start to calm and uncommunicative people—some who haven’t spoken in months or years—will begin to stroke Gordy and murmur to him. Pretty amazing.

Does Gordy have a favorite place to go for an outing?

Aside from visiting his grandma Mia, Gordy loves best to go to Historic Rugby in Rugby, Tennessee, where he likes to walk the trails and visit his many friends in the village. While in Rugby, he also expects to spend a couple hours as the shop dog for our friends who sell antiques and original artwork there.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

When we moved recently from the country to a side-walked neighborhood in a small city, Gordy discovered squirrels, and of course also discovered that he loves to chase them. He lives in the house with 8 cats, whom he is not permitted to chase, so chasing the squirrels gives him a lot of joy and makes him feel important. He has completely fallen in love with our mailman, who is equally besotted with Gordy, so they get to enjoy a five-minute play date several times a week.

What is Gordy's best quality?

He’s very loving and is always eager to make friends with new people—so long as he’s absolutely sure they mean me know harm, since he’s also an exceptional watchdog.

If Gordy could change one thing about Kentuckians, what would it be?

The absurd number of very loud pickup trucks and the supply of badly behaved dogs that so often ride around in the back of them.

What is Gordy's proudest moment?

Once when we were out walking, a strange dog came flying at us out of nowhere, barking and growling and threatening to attack. Gordy stayed calm, body blocked me to protect me, stood his ground and first gave a warning growl, then calming signals to the other dog. The other dog stopped, looked very puzzled, grunted in irritation and slunk away.

If your dog could speak in the movie about your life, who should do his voice?

Oh, that’s a hard one—but I guess I’d have to say it would be the young actor, Rico Rodriguez, who plays Manny on Modern Family because, like Manny, Gordy is enormously sweet, cheerful, and thrilled to be silly, but he’s also very serious about his dignity, and he’s smarter than any other dog in town.

Visit Nancy Jensen's website.

My Book, The Movie: The Sisters.

Writers Read: Nancy Jensen.

The Page 69 Test: The Sisters.

--Marshal Zeringue