Cathy Graham & Loup Graham

Who is in the photo at right?

My name is Cathy Graham and I am a creative writer who writes for children and adults. I am a basically a big kid who enjoys daydreaming when I should be a serious grown up but at fifty years old, I've given up trying to change myself to please others.

My dog’s name is Loup Graham and he is a male Malamute husky of about three years old.

I play flute in a duo with my harpist friend, Sharon. Here we are playing “Song of the Wood” on Youtube.

I have been singing Alto 2 in a women’s choir for six years and enjoy it very much. Our motto for the choir is that “Singing is cheaper than therapy” which is so true.

I have worked as a desktop publisher over the years for the Canadian government and the private sector and still do that kind of work on occasion. I don’t miss the long commute into Ottawa to work full time and am enjoying having the time and energy to do volunteer work as well as pursue all my creative interests.

I especially enjoy spending time with my two wonderful teen sons, Rory and Eric, my hubby Brian, and our menagerie of seven animals; four dogs and three cats in rural Ottawa, Ontario.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Loup and I don’t need a special occasion to share coffee breaks together. Even me putting out laundry on the clothesline is a chance for us to share a moment. He isn’t too fond of coffee but will gladly accept any treat.

What's brewing?

Starbucks tall bold with a dash of hazelnut syrup for a touch of sweetness. Slurp. Now I’m craving one.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

A Starbucks pumpkin scone or a homemade banana chocolate chip muffin goes well with the coffee.

Any treat for Loup on this occasion?

Some chewy Milk Bone Steak and Cheesers and some scraps from last night's leftover lasagna.

How were you and Loup united?

Someone abandoned Loup just outside our village and my husband adopted him since he’s crazy about huskies and loves the Arctic. Loup is extremely energetic and strong so I can understand why someone might have found him too much to handle.

Does Loup have any influence on your writing?

Loup has his own Facebook account and even his own blog, so yes, he does have an influence. It’s fun to write about life from his perspective and gives me more freedom to be playful with the writing, saying things I might not have the courage to write as myself.

How did Loup get his name?

Loup got his name because “loup” means wolf in French and he definitely looks like a wolf and has wolf-like qualities. He even howls like a wolf.

Where is Loup's favorite place for an outing?

Loup loves walks in the forest and likes nothing better than jumping into a nice gooey mud puddle.

Squirrel, cat, postman...?

Any small furry creature is fair game for a husky with that small prey instinct of theirs. It can make walks an adventure when we encounter people walking their small dogs. Why is it that small dogs always want to confront larger ones? Don’t they realize they might end up as lunch?

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

Anything can become a toy as far as Loup is concerned. (Even things that you don’t want him to play with like clothes off the clothesline.) He just loves the boys’ old worn out socks for a tug-of-war game.

Who is Loup's best pet-pal?

He and our female St. Bernard Tyna have a thing going. Nothing serious though. Loup likes to play the field and has many female admirers, both human and dog, real life and online.

Our red male Siberian, Tanner is extremely jealous of Loup and likes to pick a fight every chance he gets. Loup doesn’t put up with any crap and can hold his own. He takes it all in stride and it doesn’t seem to undermine his self-confidence one bit.

What is Loup's best quality?

He has many. He is always in a good mood and lives in the moment. He makes the best eye contact and is a great listener.

What is Loup's proudest moment?

His proudest moment is going for walks with everyone admiring him as he struts by. He’s way more famous than I am.

And his most embarrassing?

His most embarrassing moment is getting tangled up in the bushes and needing someone to free him.

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

Loup would tell me to stop worrying so much, live in the moment, and to have more confidence in myself the way he does. Loup doesn’t spend precious time worrying about tomorrow or regretting past mistakes and that to me seems like a good way to live one’s life.

Learn more about Cathy Graham at her writing website and her personal website, and read her short story "As Time Goes By."

Visit Loup Graham's blog and Facebook page, where he is very active.

--Marshal Zeringue

Paul Tremblay & Rascal

Who is in the photo at right?

My name is Paul Tremblay and I'm a writer, editor, and all around naysayer. My two novels The Little Sleep and No Sleep Till Wonderland were both published by Henry Holt and my short fiction collection In the Mean Time (October 15, 2010) is forthcoming from Chizine Publications. Rascal is an eleven year old male who thinks he's five. I know because he's told me. He's a loveable mutt, with our best guess at breed being a Spitz mix.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Rascal and I take winding neighborhood and woodsy walks in the afternoons, and when we're in our fenced yard we both like to chase after and bark at passing cars. Particularly those cars with drivers who are drinking the vile coffee beverage of which you speak.

Word is you loathe coffee; what are you drinking?

It's true. Rascal and I both loathe coffee. We are happier for it. I'm trying to cut down on my soda intake, so I'm working to replace my caffeine free Cokes with iced green tea.

Any goodies to go with the beverage?

Only if they're available. I'm a sucker for a plain old chocolate chip cookie. Rascal approves of my sweet tooth.

Any treat for Rascal on this occasion?

Sure, why not? Today I'll give him a small chunk of leftover chicken breast. Generally, he gets a treat post-dinner, and he gets a treat from my son at 9pm. My son is afraid of the dark and won't go to sleep without Rascal. Rascal dutifully marches upstairs (Rascal is to the point now where he knows, without us telling him, that it's 9pm, and he'll go upstairs before any of us) to my son's room to eat his treat and protect the house from boogeymen. At least until my son is asleep, then Rascal comes back downstairs.

How did you and Rascal come together?

I met Rascal at a local shelter in early 2000. He came to live with us on February 14th. Aw.

Does Rascal have any influence on your writing?

I once wrote a horror short story based on a time when I was shoveling show and Rascal was outside with me. I wasn't paying full attention to him and he chased the big, honkin' plow, and almost got plowed. Makes sense, right?

How did Rascal get his name? Does he have any aliases?

Rascal came named, and his name is perfect for him. Everyone in the household still refers to him as "the puppy."

Squirrel, cat, postman...?

All. And probably in that order. Our yard is fenced. Rascal patrols the yard like a champ, and his running-rut along the fence's perimeter is impressive.

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

He doesn't like toys that squeak. If it squeaks he drops it instantly. He's clearly concerned for the well-being of the squeaking toy. In his younger days he was quite athletic and loved to chase and catch the Frisbee. He's getting older but he still has a lot of energy. Now he's retried from Frisbee chase but is satisfied with a good tennis ball chase instead.

Who is Rascal's best pet-pal?

His best pet-pal used to be my mother's Bernese mountain dog Owen, but Owen died a few years ago. There's no regular play dates in Rascal's schedule, but he never misses an opportunity to say hi to another dog when we're out and about.

What is Rascal's most endearing quality?

He's a sweet, friendly, loveable dog; the kind of dog that dog-phobes would even like. I know, because my mother-in-law is one.

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

I'm sure he'd have a list, but let's go with this: Rascal would like me to allow him to sit under my computer/writing desk with my feet and all the plugs and wires.

What’s the most amusing thing Rascal does? The most frustrating?

When Rascal eats, he carries the first bite out into another room, spits it out, then eats it off the floor, before going back to polish off the rest of the meal.

Frustrating? He licks the rug all the time. Usually where he spits out the food.

Paul Tremblay is the author of The Little Sleep and No Sleep till Wonderland. He has won acclaim for his short fiction and received two nominations for the Bram Stoker Award.

Read an excerpt from No Sleep till Wonderland and watch the video, and visit Paul Tremblay's website.

The Page 69 Test: The Little Sleep.

The Page 69 Test: No Sleep till Wonderland.

--Marshal Zeringue

Lila Dare & Marco

Who is in the photo at right?

I am Lila Dare and I write mystery novels. The latest, out in May, is Tressed to Kill, the first in the Southern Beauty Shop series. My pal is Marco. He's a five-year-old Wire-haired Pointing Griffon. He'll be six on the 4th of July.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I have to confess that my caffeine of choice is really tea. Does that disqualify me from the site? Since I work from home, I have tea with Marco every morning after walking the kids to school. Marco's very helpful about letting us know when it's time to leave for school since walks are his favorite activity in the whole world. After I brew my tea, he knows to head straight upstairs to my office looking out at Pikes Peak.

What's brewing?

My favorite tea is Yorkshire Gold which I got addicted to when I lived in Harrogate, England at the turn of the millennium.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

No goodies. Sitting on my fanny at the computer all day does not allow for a lot of brownies, scones, or muffins.

Any treat for your dog on this occasion?

My dog's favorite treat is having me home with him all day. Really.

How were you and your dog united?

When we lost our last dog at thirteen, a chocolate Labrador named Hawk, we waited a year and a half and did a fair amount of research before choosing Marco. We wanted a somewhat smaller dog that shed less than a Lab, and we wanted one who was smart and good with kids. We looked at Portuguese water dogs, Soft-coated wheaten terriers, and a couple of others before deciding Marco was meant to be our next family member. We got him from a breeder in Alabama. I flew out there to pick him up and he came back in a carrier that fit under the seat in front of me. The lady seated beside me was surprised and relieved to see the puppy when we de-planed; she'd been wondering why I was talking to my luggage throughout the flight!

Does your dog have any influence on your writing?

I like writing about animals and about the way they interact with humans. There's a lot of humor in my novels, so I borrow some of Marco's more amusing traits to use in my stories.

How did Marco get his name? Does he have any aliases?

My husband is very into science and scientists so we considered Tesla, Fermi and several other before settling on Marco (which is short for Marconi). He just struck us as a Marco.

Where is Marco's favorite place for an outing?

We live in Colorado and hike a lot. Marco loves any place with trees. Or grass. Or bushes. Wildlife smells are a bonus. Wildlife sightings (deer, foxes, bunnies) take the walk to "this is the happiest day of my life" levels.

Squirrel, cat, postman...?

Squirrels! Squirrels are the enemy. The yard must be kept squirrel-free at all times. It is Marco's self-appointed job to rid the world of squirrels (not that he's ever caught one).

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

My daughter has a stuffed bluebird that makes realistic bluebird sounds that Marco has decided is his. He doesn't chew it, but when he's feeling insecure (he thinks we're leaving the house without him), he gets the bluebird from wherever my daughter has put it (on a bookshelf, atop the piano, on her bed) and takes it to his favorite spot on the landing and just mouths it to make it chirp.

Who is Marco's best pet-pal?

His best pet pal was my brother's Collie-mix named Max who unfortunately got whacked by a car. Marco doesn't really have a pet pal now. My mother is considering getting a dog and Marco has approval authority over her choice.

What is Marco's best quality?

He's a very loving dog. If one of us sits on the floor, he'll come over and curl up in our lap, despite the fact that he's a 55-lb animal. Nothing makes him happier than to be with his "pack," whether we're making a run to the post office or going on a 10-mile hike.

What is Marco's proudest moment? His most embarrassing?

I really can't think of anything particularly proud or embarrassing, but the scariest moment was when we (Marco and I) were on a walk early on a Sunday morning and a coyote popped out of the brush immediately ahead of us. It surprised me so that when Marco lunged at him, I lost the leash. They both took off like antelope outrunning a cheetah. I lost sight of them almost immediately and was terrified that I'd come upon Marco's eviscerated corpse (since lone coyotes are notorious for luring domestic dogs into an ambush by the whole pack). However, the coyote must have been on his own that day because I came upon Marco about half a mile up the path, sniffing around, obviously having lost the coyote. Thanks goodness! Even now, several years later, he still looks around when we get to that spot on the path, hopeful of spotting his coyote buddy.

Author of the Southern Beauty Shop mysteries, Lila Dare was born in Georgia and has lived in Alabama, Mississippi, and Virginia. Although she has never worked in a beauty shop, she frequents salons and likes to tell her stylist: “Surprise me.” She currently lives west of the Mississippi with her husband, two daughters and Marco, and misses Southern cooking and friendliness, but not the humidity.

Read an excerpt from Tressed to Kill, and learn more about the book and author at Lila Dare's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Scott and Kristy Pratt & their pack

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm Scott Pratt, writer of legal thriller/mysteries. The other human in the photo is my wife, Kristy. The German shepherd to my right is Rio, 6 years old, the teacup poodle to my left is Chico, one year old, the Bichon frisé next to him is Nacho, three years old, and the Yorkie on the stool is Pedro, five years old.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

We do this every day, just sit down an have a conversation about how everybody's doing, listen to complaints about pecking order, that kind of thing.

What's brewing?

I'm an old school Folger's guy, so is Rio. Kristy likes green tea and the small dogs stick to milk.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

Danish for me and Kristy, biscuits for the dogs.

How did you and your dogs come together?

I "rescued" Rio from a bad situation when he was four months old. He and I have been tight ever since. Pedro came along a year later as a Mother's Day gift from my kids to Kristy. Two years after that, Nacho was an impulse buy by my mother-in-law. She got him home and discovered her standard poodles didn't like him. So she asked if we'd take him. We did. Chico, the teacup, appeared last year after my mother visited from Michigan. She had a teacup, and Kristy fell in love. Next thing I knew, we had one, too.

Do your dogs have any influence on your writing?

Rio is a featured character in all four of my Joe Dillard novels. (The fourth one is finished but not yet published.) The other three are extremely jealous about that and voice their opinions on a regular basis.

I walk with all of them for about an hour each morning and listen to their suggestions on plot and characters.

How did your dogs get their names?

I met a blue healer several years ago named Rio and just liked the name. When Pedro came along, Napoleon Dynamite had just been released and we loved the Pedro character in the movie. It seemed to fit with Rio. Then when we got Nacho, Kristy wanted to keep the Mexican theme going. Same with Chico.

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

All of the dogs have toys, and they're quite territorial about them. Rio is partial to rubber baseballs and tennis balls. He loves to chase them, and he loves to chew on them until they're dead. Pedro loves sticks, small sticks. Nacho loves chew bones and Chico loves anything he can get his undersized mouth around.

What is each dog's most endearing quality?

Rio's most endearing quality is his loyalty. Pedro's is his grumpiness. Nacho's is his gentleness, and Chico's is his independence.

What’s the most amusing thing your dogs do? The most frustrating?

The most frustrating thing about them is that they bark like mad dogs every time we get out of the car at the park. We've done it every day for four years now, and each day, it's the same. They bark like crazy, chase each other around, and make a general nuisance of themselves. And Rio sheds enough each year to stuff a mattress.

Scott Pratt is the author of An Innocent Client, In Good Faith, and the newly released Injustice for All.

The Page 69 Test: An Innocent Client.

The Page 69 Test: Injustice For All.

Learn more about the books and author at Scott Pratt's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Kris Neri & Annabelle

Who is in the photo at right?

This is my dog, Annabelle, and me, Kris Neri. I'm the Arizona-based author of Revenge for Old Times' Sake and High Crimes on the Magical Plane, and other mysteries, as well as a bookstore owner and writing instructor. Annabelle is a five-year-old, female, cocker spaniel.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I mainline coffee, and I like it to be as black as tar. On this occasion, we'd stopped for coffee before my first signing at the Los Angeles Festival of Books. This picture was taken in the Festival food court, but we often have coffee together at our favorite local brew place, Jerona's Cafe, in Cottonwood, Arizona, and everyday at home.

What's brewing?

Strong French Roast. I've started mixing a bit of decaf into it lately, since I can't keep peeling myself off the ceiling at night. But caffeine does keep me going. I might not need it if I could take dog naps throughout the day.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

I had a banana nut muffin on that day, but I usually just have coffee. Normally, I don't like eating too early in the morning.

Any treat for Annabelle on this occasion?

Annabelle gobbled up her dog biscuits as soon as we arrived there. At home, it's kibble and noni juice for her breakfast.

How did you and Annabelle come together?

My husband and I had lost two old dogs within six months of each other, and we were devastated. But we had also recently opened a new business -- The Well Red Coyote bookstore in Sedona, Arizona -- and we weren't sure whether we would have enough time to devote to a new pet. But we were dog-lonely, and our cat, Philly, who has only lived with dogs, not cats, was, too. But we also had no employees at the time, and we worked every day, so we couldn't even take time off together to go to the shelter to look for a dog, only separately. We'd been visiting the shelter separately for a few days, but neither of us really felt we connected with any of the dogs, and choosing a companion was something we felt we should do together. There was just a short window of time after the Sedona Humane Society shelter opened, before our store did. One day, before the store opened, we went back together for a quick look. They've built quite an elaborate animal shelter there now, but when we went in search of a new friend, it was a more humble affair, with runs visible from the parking lot. When we pulled into the lot, a sweet little face that we hadn't seen on any of our other visits, just connected with us. Apparently, someone had abandoned a six-month-old cocker spaniel outside of the shelter during the night. Unfortunately, several other people also wanted to adopt her, including a shelter employee. The woman in charge told us to call back later, and she'd let us know her decision. Somehow she chose us, though we never knew why. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have this sweet little dog in our lives.

Does Annabelle have any influence on your writing?

She's convinced me that, when I get stuck during my writing, I can overcome the block if I hold her on my lap, while sitting in our backyard, staring at the view. I have worked out some writing problems like that, and it always makes us both feel better, so maybe she's onto something.

How did Annabelle get her name? Does she have any aliases?

I named her for a character I was developing for a novel I planned at the time. The Annabelle I was writing -- who now appears in my published, Lefty Award-nominated urban fantasy, High Crimes on the Magical Plane -- is a genuine Celtic goddess who works as an FBI agent. Since I didn't know either the dog or the character too well when I named them, I didn't know if the name would fit. But it fits them both, and I'm surprised by the many common traits they share. My pooch also has some aliases, including Bits and Pizza Louie. I've frequently named pets for my characters, or named characters after my pets, or put descriptions of my pets in my books and stories. My cat is named for Uncle Philly in my Tracy Eaton mysteries.

Squirrel, cat, postman...?

None of the above. Other dogs passing in the street are what make her crazy. How dare they walk past her house! We don't have many squirrels here in Arizona, but she came nose-to-nose with one on the UCLA campus at the Festival of Books. Only the leash prevented her from chasing it up a tree.

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

She prefers doggy stuffed animals with squeakies in them. She has dozens of them and they all have names, and she can make them squeak for ages. Sometimes I think that endless squeaking is how she talks. She also likes rawhide chips and sticks.

What's a typical day like for Annabelle?

After we go for a good walk, Annabelle spends the morning sleeping in splashes of sunshine that stream in through windows around the house. While she dozes, I write. Then, we go together to work in our bookstore, The Well Red Coyote, in the afternoon. Evenings are usually devoted to long naps and some rawhide chewing, along with chasing our cat, until we all snuggle together in bed.

Where do you walk?

We live in a rural area, so we prefer to take long walks on unpaved hillside roads. We both have our favorite streets, and we alternate those. I pick mine for great views; I guess she goes for the good smells.

Who is Annabelle's best pet-pal?

Our cat, Philly, is her best pet-pal. They're absolutely devoted to each other. He grooms her head and ears and makes her fur stick out, so maybe he's also having a little fun with her. But she also likes another cocker spaniel named Mickey, who lives a couple of blocks away from us. Mickey isn't the brightest bulb in the marquee, and I keep telling her she can do better, but she's still rather taken with him.

What is Annabelle's most endearing quality?

Since she's frequently at our bookstore, she meets lots more strangers than many dogs do. And she has an uncanny ability to pick out people who are hurting, or who might be feeling lonely, and who would benefit from a little one-on-one time with a gentle dog. She also seems to know the people who are traveling and who really miss their dogs. She has some amazingly positive energy and people really connect with it.

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

She'd probably like me to work less and take longer walks with her.

What’s the most amusing thing Annabelle does? The most frustrating?

The most amusing...? We host a monthly book club meeting at our store, at which we serve wine and pizza. She certainly doesn't get any wine, but I know quite a number of the book club folks give her little bits of pizza. My husband sets up the folding table for the group, then leaves to pick up the pizzas. Annabelle used to wait at the front door of the store for him and the pizza, while he was gone. But she only started waiting when he left, naturally. Now, when she sees him setting up the table, she runs to the front door to begin waiting, even though he hasn't left yet to pick up the pizza. That she drools on the floor while she's waiting is pretty funny. During the book club meeting, she scoots back and forth under the table grubbing for pieces of crust. There is a reason why we call her Pizza Louie.

As for frustrating, I find it frustrating that she insists on barking at a small minority of customers who come into our store. They usually seem like nice people, though some are offended by it. But given how nice she is to most people, I suppose she has her reasons. Maybe she has a better take on their character than I do. But it's not the ideal way to greet customers in retail.

Is there anything else you and Annabelle do together?

Once when I presented a writing workshop in my bookstore, she sat next to me as if we were delivering the material together. She was with me when I organized the workshop, so maybe she wanted to be involved at every stage of the operation.

Kris Neri's latest book, Revenge for Old Times' Sake, is the third book in her Agatha, Anthony, Macavity Award-nominated Tracy Eaton mystery series. She's also recently published High Crimes on the Magical Plane, a Lefty Award nominee and the first book in a new paranormal series.

Visit Kris Neri's website and The Well Red Coyote bookstore website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Laura Grace Weldon & Jedi, Cocoa Bean and Winston

Who is in the photo at right?

The furry brown-eyed beasts are Jedi the German Shepherd, Cocoa Bean the Toy Poodle and Winston the Pomeranian.

The other creature with brown eyes is me. I’m Laura Grace Weldon, a writer, farm wench and relentless optimist.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

The hounds are gentlemen of habit. They expect a daily walk down the street plus a stroll around the farm. They associate the smells of coffee with a newspaper-enhanced snuggle in the morning and relaxation time outdoors in the afternoon. If I attempt to alter any of these routines they go into Trinity of Despondency mode.

Today we’re having coffee out back here at Bit of Earth Farm. For the dogs that means visiting livestock, sitting by the pond (or in the pond) and rolling in whatever smells.

What's brewing?

We drink whatever brand of Fair Trade coffee is on sale at the co-op. Lately we’re enjoying Green Mountain Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. I like to make it strong, dosed up with raw organic cream from our cow Isabelle.

How were you and your dogs united?

Jedi, the 10 year old German Shepherd, was given to us as a puppy already named and housebroken. He’s a gentle soul and tolerates the little guys with the patience of an elder statesman.

Cocoa Bean, the 3 year old Toy Poodle, was bought by my son for his girlfriend. Soon after, she and her family were deported due to a tragic legal snafu and little Cocoa Bean came to live here. He is clever, affectionate and a bit neurotic. When Winston joined us Cocoa plotted against him for weeks, secretly depositing dog poo in the spot where Winston had been having some house training problems. Only when we caught him in the act did he stop.

Winston, the 1 year old Pomeranian, was abandoned at a work site when he was a few months old. He had fleas, worms and deep bite wounds. His coat was sparse and he was achingly thin. You can see now with his summer cut that he’s rather on the chubby side. He’s a bit of a rajah, preferring comfy chairs and short rather than long walks.

Do your dogs have any influence on your writing?

They sleep nearby as I work. Their dreams surely filter into everything I do.

Squirrel, cat, postman...?

They do the requisite barking at all who dare come to the door, per the universal dog contract. Mainly they keep the menace of invisible badgers at bay. Of course I can’t sense these badgers but the dogs do, and I’m grateful.

What’s the most amusing thing your dogs do? The most frustrating?

This may qualify for both. My dogs communicate with me in ways none of us actually understands. For example without a sound, without anyone in our family of six noticing, the dogs somehow tell me (yes, with their minds) that they have to go out. Because of this habit, “butt psychic” is one of my many unfortunate family nicknames.

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

A hermit at heart, I’m still lured into the larger world pretty often. I’m told the dogs howl and sit facing the front windows when I’m gone. The dogs would like me to hobbit about here and never leave again.

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

They are not fans of cars. People leave them in cars. People make them go places they don’t want to go in cars. When we walk along our rural road people pass by at speeds that make their shoulders shrunkle down in fear (shrunkle is an invented word). My dogs would rather humanity never bothered to invent cars. Perhaps the quiet peace of personal zeppelins floating just off the ground would please my canine friends more.

Laura Grace Weldon is the author of Free Range Learning: How Homeschooling Changes Everything.

Her new book advocates for the child’s right to learn naturally and demonstrates how to enfold this approach into daily life. It incorporates ancient wisdom, current research and the educational insights shared by over 100 homeschooling families from around the world.

Learn more about Free Range Learning, check out Laura Weldon’s blog, and find out what’s up on the farm.

Writers Read: Laura Grace Weldon.

--Marshal Zeringue

Barbara Levenson & Mr. Magruder

The following is the first interview with German Shepherd Mr. Magruder, Mac for short.

He is being interviewed by his owner and author of the Mary Magruder Katz Mysteries, Barbara Levenson.

Barbara: Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed for Coffee With A Canine. Let’s get right to the nitty-gritty. I notice that you have assumed the last name of the protagonist in both of the books I have written, Fatal February and Justice In June. How did that happen?

Mac: I guess it was the best way for me to become a real part of my new family, you and the Alpha guy, Bob Levenson. Mac has a nice ring to it, and I can easily recognize it when you call me. My new sibling, Millie, who is over ten years old can tell the difference from her name. She doesn’t hear too well. You know ten makes her an old broad.

Barbara: Tell us about your background. I understand it is quite a sad story. But first , do you care for coffee while we talk?

Mac: No, I prefer herbal treats, preferably bone flavored, and a side of water would be good. About my background, I have had more than one owner. I lived with one family as a puppy. I can’t remember much about them except that the place was crowded with dogs. Then I was sold to a man with a big truck. I rode around on the truck all day with him and I learned to protect his tools. I never let anyone near that truck. At night we went to his house but I wasn’t allowed inside. His wife hated me. One day the man with the truck took me to a strange neighborhood and let me out of the truck and drove away.

Barbara: How awful. What did you do?

Mac: What any smart German Shepherd would do. First, I chased after the truck, but to no avail. Then I learned to fend for myself. I was always hungry and wet when it rained, which it does a lot in Miami. I met other dogs on the streets and we helped each other. One day a policeman saw me and took me in his car. He dropped me off at a dog rescue center. It wasn’t much, but at least I was out of the rain and occasionally I got fed.

Barbara: And that’s where we found you. We saw your picture in the newspaper ad and I couldn’t believe a beautiful dog like you could have been abandoned.

Mac: What can I tell you. People are stranger than canines.

Barbara: We took you to the vet and nursed you back to health and now you are the gorgeous dog in the picture. (You’re the one with the pointed ears.)

Mac: Please, tell our readers what you told me about fate having a hand in our meeting.

Barbara: Yes, it was fate. Readers of Fatal February will remember that the dog in the book, Sam, was based on Ned, who was our male German Shepherd. His picture is on the book jacket. But sadly, Ned passed away last September after fighting a fatal disease. It was a bad time in our house. Millie refused to eat or play. Then we saw you and took you home. You made our world whole again and helped me to finish my new book Justice In June, which will be released June 1st, just in time for the six month anniversary of your adoption. Tell us what you enjoy in your new home.

Mac: The food is great. I’ve gained twelve pounds. I love the backyard. There are squirrels, birds, lizards. I love my collection of balls. There’s nothing more fun than getting up in the morning and dropping the big yellow ball at your feet ready
to chase some tosses. There are rides in a van, and walks around our neighborhood. I even love my collar and leash. And in the yard there is the biggest water dish I’ve ever seen.

Barbara: I keep telling you, that’s a swimming pool. Anything else you’d like to tell our readers?

Mac: Just that I hope everyone will read Justice In June. I like it better than the last book. It’s got a great plot. Of course, I like the parts about the dog best, but the mysteries and court cases really held my interest. Just remember, the more books you buy, the more bones my people can afford.

Barbara: Where did you learn to read?

Mac: When I was on the street I hung out at a library. At night, I read everything I could get my paws on.

Barbara: You are an amazing canine. Thanks for telling your story. This has been Coffee with a Canine, featuring Barbara Levenson and Mac.

Barbara Levenson has lived in Miami for the past 33 years.

A cum laude graduate of the University of Miami Law School, Levenson has served as a prosecutor and run her own law practice where she focused on criminal defense and civil rights litigation. She was elected to a judgeship in the circuit court of Miami-Dade County, where she still serves as a senior judge.

Born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Levenson was raised in Columbus, Ohio. She was the first woman elected to the Columbus Board of Education, and later served as the Board’s first female president. She was also the first woman to be named the Ohio Newspaper’s “Man of the Year.”

Levenson and her husband, a retired financial consultant, bred and showed German Shepherd Dogs for 20 years and finished 11 champions in the show ring. They have two sons.

Visit Barbara Levenson's website.

--Marshal Zeringue