Lauren Atkins & Winston and Maggie

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm Lauren Atkins, instructional technologist and food blogger at haveforkwilleat.com. My canine companions are the very distinctive Winston, a five year old basset hound-shad pei mix. His "little" sister is Maggie, thinks she is a tiny kitten but is actually a 3 year old English Mastiff.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

It's stormy out and when it rains, we like to curl up with a cup of tea and watch tv together while I work on recipe ideas. Maggie in particular is a very snuggly dog. Winston just really enjoys naps and very much hates rain.

What's brewing?

This occasion is technically Chai with a Canine. Iced chai tea latte in the summer; hot chai in the winter. I like to make it super frothy and add a lot of cinnamon on top. Winston and Maggie get water…preferably (for me) clean water from their bowls, preferably (for them) water from a puddle on the patio.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

They get wheat-free dog treats (Maggie has allergies) and occasionally, when they look just far too cute to turn down, cubes of cheese.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Winston just looked like a Winston, even at the tender age of 8 weeks, when he was all wrinkles and skin. His full name is actually Winston Churchill, and occasionally he goes by Sir Winston or The Prime Minister, depending on how lordly he feels that day. Maggie's full name is Margaret Thatcher [photo left], though "Maggie" fits her pretty well.

How were you and your dogs united?

We got Winston as a young puppy. We were looking to adopt a pair of lab puppies but stumbled upon him and he was too cute to pass up. He was so adorable that people would pull their cars over on the street just to ask us what kind of dog he was. Maggie came a couple years later, after we'd bought a house with a yard. We got her from a mastiff rescue at 9 months old.

What role do your dogs play at your Have Fork, Will Eat blog?

My dogs are my editors, but their grammar is atrocious, so really it's just in name only. Otherwise, they are a soundboard for ideas, keep watch over me while I'm cooking and provide companionship while I write. They're negotiating for a taste-testing role but so far that deal hasn't panned out.

Squirrel, postman, cat….?

While they are interested in both the neighborhood cats and the postman, their true nemeses are the squirrels and the walnuts they throw.

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

Laser pointer. Really.

What is each dog's best quality?

Winston [photo left] is extremely smart, while Maggie is just the sweetest thing ever.

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

We'd feed them table scraps.

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

Winston: Patrick Stewart.

Maggie: Frances McDormand doing the accent from Fargo.

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

To Winston: How exactly did you know it was going to rain?
To Maggie: Why do you hoard all the toys?

Visit the Have Fork, Will Eat blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Free book: "Lara's Gift"

Knopf Books for Young Readers and Campaign for the American Reader are giving away a copy of the forthcoming book, Lara's Gift by Annemarie O'Brien.

HOW TO ENTER:
(1) send an email to this address:

(2) In the subject line, type: Lara's Gift.

(3) Include your name (or alias or whatever you wish to be called if I email you to tell you you've won the book) in the body of the email.

[I will not sell or share your email address; nor will I be in touch with you unless it is to tell you you have won the book.  I promise.]

Last chance to enter: Monday, August 5th.

Only one entry per person, please.

Winner must have a US mailing address.

Learn more about Lara's Gift at Annemarie O'Brien's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Julie Joyce & Rufus

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm Julie Joyce.  I run a link building company called Link Fish Media, based out of Greensboro NC. This is me with Rufus, who is an oversized male bloodhound who happens to be overweight and 6 years old.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I will take any excuse to talk about poor Rufus and do very little work. Since I do a lot of work from home, it's always "Take Your Dog To Work Day" here.

What's brewing?

I have non-trendy coffee, even though I am brewing it with a Keurig. I'm sad because I'd prefer a full-fat iced mocha with whipped cream from Starbucks but Rufus doesn't drive.

Any treats for you or Rufus on this occasion?

I'm having eggs from our backyard chickens. Rufus is having his usual boring breakfast of dry dog food and whatever leftovers he can pick up from the trash can.

How were you and Rufus united?

As a person who swore never to buy a dog from a pet store, I bought Rufus at a pet store. I was in there with my husband and saw him and immediately had to have him. As a proper Southerner, few dogs are more sacred than a bloodhound, and he was huge and clumsy and I just had to have him.

How did Rufus get his name? Any aliases?

He was named after an ancestor of mine, who was a redhead who raised utter hell. His aliases as Buddha, Boo, Ruf, and Buddhasaurus Rexicus.

Cat, postman, squirrel…?

He's recently accepted our cat Dashwood, after only 18 months. I think Rufus is solely responsible for one postal employee quitting her route and one needing anxiety medication. Squirrels calmly run all over his backyard and he never seems to notice but if a person walks within 100 yards of our house, Rufus goes into attack mode. Sadly, we live on a busy street so when he's outside, he's on edge most of the time.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick…?

Well, he can't catch anything because of his gigantic jowls and slobber…no squeaky toy has lasted more than about 5 minutes so I'll go with stick, unless you want to include "pieces of the house."

Does Rufus have a favorite place to go for outings?

He's a bit difficult to take on outings and has started getting so upset at the vet's office that he has seizures, so we're gently introducing him to a quick walk around the block again. He seems to really like areas with overgrown ivy that are full of other dogs' pee.

How well does Rufus get along with your chickens?

He's been outside with them once and ran at them but with him, you never know what he's intending to do. We keep them separated so it's usually Rufus inside beside the glass doors while the 4 chickens line up and stare at him. He pretends not to see them. I think he's embarrassed.

What is Rufus's best quality?

If he likes you, you will never ever be afraid of anyone hurting you, coming into your house, etc. He also tends to stand on your foot and lean on you when he wants attention, which is insanely cute even when he's drooling, although much cuter when he's not.

If Rufus could change one thing about North Carolinians, what would it be?

He'd bring more open-mindedness into our political system so that we weren't always oppressing people who lived different lifestyles.

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

"Why did you once run across the yard with a can of paint in your mouth?"

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

There is only one choice: Sam Elliott.

Visit the Link Fish Media website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Jennifer Zobair & Shadow and Dino

Who is in the photo at right?

I’m Jennifer Zobair, a recovering attorney and the author of the debut novel, Painted Hands. Shadow, one of my two dogs, is a recovering area rug eater and a skilled thief of food left on the counter. He’s also a 3-year-old Goldendoodle.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Tea on the deck this weekend.

What's brewing?

Allegro organic green tea.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

There might have been a handful of treats. This also might have been why the non-pictured dog, Dino, got too worked up to pose for the photo.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Shadow got his name because when he was a puppy, he would jump whenever he saw his own shadow. And yes, we get all the comments about a white dog named Shadow. We adopted Dino at age two, so he was already named.

How were you and your dogs united?

Shadow [as a puppy, photo left] was a birthday gift for our daughter. We got Dino after my husband watched a documentary about all of the unwanted dogs in shelters. We were in the car a half an hour later, driving to a local shelter. We had actually been thinking about getting a second dog for some time, but not necessarily with such urgency.

How do your dogs help, and how do they hinder, your writing?

I always had this romanticized image of writing at my desk with a dog at my feet. This is very hard to pull off with Shadow and Dino. Even though they are both large dogs, they see themselves as lap dogs, not sit-at-my-feet dogs. It’s very cute, and also not very productive.

Are there any dogs in your new novel?

There are not, and now that you mention it, I feel like it’s a huge oversight. My novel is about contemporary Muslim American women, and a lot of Muslims don’t think people should have dogs as pets. There is some great scholarship refuting this prohibition, especially by Khaled Abou El Fadl, Professor of Islamic Law at UCLA School of Law. And now, I think I have to work a dog into my next book!

Squirrel, postman, cat....?

Our next door neighbors. It’s very awkward and we spend a lot of time apologizing.

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

Usually a ball, and usually they will deflate it in a matter of minutes.

What is each dog's best quality?

Shadow seems to genuinely love our affection. In the mornings, I feed the dogs together and when I put the food down, Dino dives right in. Shadow, on the other hand, waits for me to pet him and love him up and only then will he start to eat. Dino has such genuine enthusiasm to see us. When the kids are walking up the driveway from school, Shadow sits and waits, but Dino’s entire body wags.

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

They’d make my lap big enough for both of them.

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

For Dino, it would be Jack Black, because he’s funny and has a lot of personality. For Shadow, I would say Matt Damon, because he’s the more serious, composed dog, but still can be quite entertaining.

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

I would ask them if they are happy.

Visit Jennifer Zobair's website, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

The Page 69 Test: Painted Hands.

My Book, The Movie: Painted Hands.

Writers Read: Jennifer Zobair.

--Marshal Zeringue

Lindsey Jeremiah & Harley

Who is in the photo at right?

I’m Lindsey Jeremiah, a Freelance writer with Cottage Life Magazine and an Educational Program Coordinator with a Boating Safety Company. My dog Harley is a 6-year old cross between a redbound coon hound and a yellow lab. I rescued him from Toronto when he was a puppy without a home and we moved to B.C., Canada together shortly after to run along the ocean!

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Harley is often featured in my articles about living the cottage life, getting outside with your dog, dogs and boating, etc. He is a great friend and source of creative inspiration for this writer!

What's brewing?

I usually stop by Starbucks for an Earl Grey Tea Latte. Grande. Soy.

Any treats for you or Harley on this occasion?

A rice crispy square for us both.

How were you and Harley united?

I saw a rescue ad online and drove down right away to bring him home.

How did Harley get his name? Any aliases?

He's just a Harley. Big, goofy, loveable, red. A real boy’s boy. A real Harley.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Squirrel!!! The hound instinct never fades!

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Stick!!!! Harley loves to wrestle sticks away from his doggy friends in the neighbourhood.

Does Harley have a favorite place to go for outings?

He loves to meander down to the lake where he can swim or roll all over a dead fish. It’s just the best thing in the world to old Harl’s.

Who is Harley's best pet-pal?

His brother Gus the pug! BFFs for life! They make an odd pair but they are perfect together!

What is Harley's best quality?

He’s a gentle giant. 80 pounds of love.

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

He would like me to get more exercise with him.

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

I would ask him if his epilepsy medication makes him feel better.

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

Eeyore, from Winnie the Pooh.

--Marshal Zeringue

Paula Brackston & Bluebell

Who is in the photo at right?

I’m Paula Brackston, the author of The Witch’s Daughter and The Winter Witch, and this is my dog Bluebell. She is a Labrador cross Merle Collie, and would rather I didn’t give her age.

What’s the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

This is really Darjeeling with a Dog. Or actually, the walk before the cup of tea. It’s a daily thing with us. Blue has my long term health uppermost in her mind at all times, and persuades me to get some fresh air and exercise as often as she can. The tea is my reward.

What’s brewing?

Twinings Darjeeling or Lapsang Souchon. Made in a pot and served in a fine bone china cup with saucer. With milk and sugar. Blue has spring water.

Any treats?

Shortbread for me. Blue won’t touch it, says she’s watching her figure. But she will have a couple of dog biscuits, or maybe a lap of milk. It’s the only time she’ll eat any actual dog food. For dinner she has whatever we’re having. Sunday roast is her fave.

How were you and Bluebell united?

A friend has a black Labrador who had a romantic liaison with a neighbouring sheepdog. I was invited to lunch, seated next to the basket of snuffling puppies, and I was hooked. Some friend!

How did Bluebell get her name?

She has different coloured eyes – one is bright blue. We call her all sorts of things – Blueberry muffin, Snoo, Spotty Muldoon… the list goes on. Fortunately she answers to Hi or any loud cry. We’ve had to give up playing Twister, though, as every time someone shouts out ‘Right hand on blue!’ she gets terribly nervous.

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

She has an excellent ear for regional dialogue, so I try it out on her from time to time.

Cat, postman, squirrel…?

Postman. Postmen in fact – she can sniff out an off-duty one anywhere. She’s such a gentle creature, ordinarily, but anyone smelling of stamps or junk mail… look out. Gets very growly, hackles up, teeth bared. And cyclists, too, she can’t abide them. I think it’s the lycra.

Some of her best friends are cats. In fact, she wouldn’t dream of chasing anything with four legs. Or a beak.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick…?

You throw it, she’ll fetch it. Unless it’s a tantrum. And she’s very fond of board games. Will watch us playing Monopoly, ears pricked, eyes bright, tail wagging, for hours. If only the rest of us could remain so enthusiastic.

Does Bluebell have a favorite place to go for outings?

She always comes in the car on the school run, just in case we meet any cyclists. And we visit friends by the sea, so she can enjoy a game of cricket on the beach. We’re fortunate enough to live on the side of a Welsh mountain, so we have 520 square miles of National Park to run around in. Or so she keeps reminding me. Don’t think we’ve covered it all yet.

Who are Bluebell’s best pet-pals?

Can we count my two children? I’m sure she thinks they are puppies. And our two cats. She’s very affectionate with them as long as she thinks nobody’s looking.

What is Bluebell’s best quality?

Aside from being simply the Best Dog Ever, d’you mean? She’s incredibly sensitive, cuddly, funny, loyal, well-behaved (postmen and cyclists not withstanding), and her ears are made of velvet.

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

I’ve asked her this, and after a deal of squirming she admitted she’d like me to stop using the vacuum cleaner, as the noise upsets her. How can I refuse?

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

Is it OK that we make you be the little silver dog every time we play Monopoly, or would you prefer the top hat sometimes?

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

How did this get out? The contracts aren’t finalised yet! You might as well know we’re hoping to cast Meryl Streep. It’s the colour of her eyes, and the length of her nose… plus we’d really like her to try a Welsh accent.

Visit Paula Brackston's website and blog.

Writers Read: Paula Brackston (February 2013).

--Marshal Zeringue

Ann Bonwill & Arthur

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm Ann Bonwill, picture book writer, and this is Arthur T. Dog, canine wonder. Arthur is a 7 year old male Cardigan Welsh Corgi (picture Queen Elizabeth's lovelies, but with a tail).

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

We're celebrating the release of my new book, When Mermaids Sleep. Arthur's favorite part is the fairies sleeping in flowers, since his ancestors served as fairy steeds.

What's brewing?

I am a tea drinker - preferably strong mint. Arthur will drink anything - preferably muddy puddle.

Any treats for you or Arthur on this occasion?

I'll have a scone with clotted cream and jam, in honor of Arthur's birthplace. He'd like chicken and cheese, but since he's a long dog and needs to watch his weight (back problems) he gets canned green beans instead.

How did Arthur get his name? Any nicknames?

Arthur seemed like an appropriate name for a Welsh dog favored by royalty. His "official" name is Kilvroch Be A Clown, and he certainly is one! Arthur has many nicknames, including T-Dog and Fuzzy-Nose. He's also been called Rabbit by curious children. My husband wanted to name him Thunder Scar, which couldn't be more inappropriate given his scaredy cat ways.

How were you and Arthur united?

We got Arthur as a puppy [photo right: Arthur the puppy] while we were living in England. He's from a show dog family, but because of his slight stature and turned out feet, he was not deemed "show quality." He's star quality to us (and to the judges who awarded him first place for "friendliest puppy who doesn't jump up!"). When leaving his first family he cried all the way home. We cheered him up by composing a song for him, which we often sing to this day.

Does Arthur do more to help or to hinder your creativity?

Arthur helps my creativity by making me laugh every day. He warms my feet in the winter, and he sometimes pushes me out of the bed which allows for late night writing fests.

Who are Arthur's best pet-pals?

Arthur does a friendship dance with any dog we meet on our walks. Excited-Anxious-Excited-Anxious he's like a pogo stick and knows nothing of playing it cool.

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

Squeaky toy - specifically Katie's Bumpers.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Most definitely squirrel. He is oblivious to all others, including giant pheasants walking across his path in England and herds of roving rabbits in Germany.

What is Arthur's best quality?

Loyalty. Arthur is steadfast and true. In proper herding dog fashion, he doesn't like to let any of us out of his sight, and he prefers the whole family to be in the same room (everyone on different floors drives him to distraction).

If Arthur could change one thing about Virginians, what would it be?

Our weather. He's not much for the heat, and salt laden snow hurts his paws. He'd also like for us to take more walks, play more tug-of-war, and drop more food.

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

Face to face, Woody Allen. Behind a closed door, Samuel L. Jackson.

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

Why do you lick ____ (the couch, our toes, the dishwasher, insert anything stationary here)?

Visit Ann Bonwill's website.

--Marshal Zeringue