Monica Holloway & Buddy and Leo Henry

Who is in the photo at right?

The first picture is my 12 year old son, Wills, and our three year old golden retriever, Buddy Rose. The green foot is Buddy’s enormous dinosaur she drags around the house like a corpse. They’re inseparable—the three of them.

The next picture is our brand new puppy (13 weeks), Leo Henry. Now there are four of them, Wills, Buddy, the dinosaur, and Leo Henry.

The third picture is of Buddy, a girl, and Leo, a boy, lovin’ life (and each other.)

I am Monica Holloway and I’m an author.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Leo Henry and Buddy go everywhere I go. Since I’m a writer and work from home, we spend our days together, and when I need to go out, their leashes and water bowls are always waiting in the car.

The three of us often hold court outside the Coral Tree Café in Encino, California. I’m meeting my friend, Linda, who is bringing her King Charles Spaniel, Murphy. Murphy is their very best friend and when he arrives, they slurp and lick and wag ALL over each other.

What's brewing?

I always order a nonfat, double vanilla latte. The latte comes with the most gorgeous leaf design etched into the foam and the smooth, beige cup is so large that my entire face disappears inside with every sip.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

Again, a creature of habit, I always (and I mean every time) order the eggs in a hole on toasted olive bread with a side of greens.

Any treat for your dogs on this occasion?

All three dogs get a Mellow Mutt chicken breast. When they’re done with those (in under a minute), they play with various plushy toys. Their favorite is a plushy tree trunk with soft squeaky squirrels inside.

Please tell us about Cowboy of Cowboy & Wills fame.

I just launched my favorite book I’ve written so far, Cowboy & Wills, about my son Wills, who has autism, and his remarkable golden retriever, Cowboy. (Cowboy Carol Lawrence, to be exact. Wills is very specific when he names his animals.) The book takes place when Wills is between six and eight years old.

Unfortunately, Cowboy develops Canine Lupus and only lives for two and a half years. But for having such a devastatingly short life, it is a BIG life.

The book follows the story of how Cowboy changes Wills’s life forever and the “miracles that continue, long after there is no one to toss the ball to.”

Cowboy was an incredibly generous, wonder of a dog, who we’ll miss for the rest of our lives.

How did Buddy and Leo Henry come to be united with you?

Buddy joined us only two months after Cowboy died. We got her from a very respected breeder, making sure there would be no terrible health “surprises.” When we visited Buddy for the first time and met the entire litter, we found out that Buddy’s father name was Cowboy. We visited Buddy every weekend until she was eight weeks old and ready to come home.

In terms of our little Leo, we literally stopped by the breeder to show off how big Buddy had gotten and found out that she had one dog left in a litter that had just gone home with other families. We took him on the spot, having her hold on to him while we raced to the pet store to get puppy supplies.

Luckily, Buddy was instantly thrilled with Leo—as thrilled as we were!

How did they get their names?

Wills names everybody who comes through.

Tennis ball, stick, frisbee...?

A bright green softball with red stitching. I throw this in the pool and they both jump in to get it.

Cat, squirrel, postman, car...?

Buddy definitely has a squirrel obsession, but Leo hasn’t been bogged down by this yet. Leo sits patiently and waits for Buddy to stop running the full length of our white wooden fence, chasing squirrels.

What's an ordinary day like for your dogs?

Buddy and Leo play and swim in our pool every single day.

Every afternoon during the week, they take a hike with a very good friend of ours. At night, they chase tennis balls that Wills hits with his bat.

On the weekends, we’re all crowded into the car for a trip to the park or the beach or the mountains. We love hiking in Wrightwood.

Who are your dogs' best pet-pals?

Each other—and, of course, Murphy.

What are their best qualities?

These two goldens are the sweetest dogs I’ve ever met. They love everyone, and, it seems, most everyone loves them right back. They are so generous—always wanting to please! And they are so much fun! I spend most of my day laughing, covered in dog hair, as they roll around right on top of wherever I’m working or sitting. And Buddy snores, which I adore, and Wills says that Leo has an overbite. (And he kind of does.)

What is each dog's proudest moment so far? Their most embarrassing?

We brought Leo onstage at my book party. We wanted to bring Buddy but the restaurant would only allow a small dog. Leo was brilliant as he was passed from guest-to-guest as if he were a beach ball in a mosh pit. Lots of kisses on his head and cheeks.

I’m always proud of my girl, Buddy. She’s polite and tender-hearted.

I don’t recall being too embarrassed. Since Leo just arrived, he hasn’t built up “embarrassment time,” but Buddy used to drag me around the block like I was a kite at the end of her leash. But now that she’s had classes, she has better manners.

Monica Holloway is the critically acclaimed author of the memoir Driving With Dead People, which Newsweek called “unforgettable,” Glamour christened “a classic,” and the Washington Post deemed “irresistible.” She contributed to the anthology Mommy Wars, from which her essay “Red Boots and Cole Haans” was described by Newsday as “brilliant, grimly hilarious.”

Among the early praise for Cowboy & Wills:

"A boy and his dog -- that is sacred stuff. Layer onto that autism and the singular love of a mother and you've got the makings for deeply worthwhile reading. Monica Holloway is any one of us, doubled over with hope and pain and wishing."
--Kelly Corrigan, New York Times bestselling author of The Middle Place

"A young boy with autism is able to make friends with the aid of his pet dog named Cowboy. Pets can help open up social doors."
--Temple Grandin, New York Times bestselling author of Animals in Translation and Animals Make Us Human

Visit Monica Holloway's website, become a fan of Cowboy & Wills on Facebook and a friend on MySpace.

--Marshal Zeringue

Petty Officer 2nd Class Roberto Aguilar & Nick

Who is in the photo at right?

Petty Officer 2nd Class Roberto Aguilar and my Military Working Dog (MWD) Nick, who is a 2 year old German Shepherd. We work together as a security team on board Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) which is a forward-deployed Navy base in Yokosuka Japan. CFAY is home to 11 forward-deployed ships of the U.S. 7th Fleet including the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) and more than 27,000 service members, civilians and contractors.

What is the dog's rank? How long did it take to achieve his present rank?

Nick is a Petty Officer 1st Class which is one rank higher than me. He has been at this rank for approximately five months. MWD’s are always one rank higher than their handlers to ensure that if a handler ever mistreats his MWD, it is considered assault on a superior which is a major offense. Nick has been working toward his current rank since he first began his training at Lackland Air force Base in San Antonio, Texas. When he retires, he will retire at the highest rank he has ever held.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

All of us at the MWD kennel have our own favorite morning drinks, but for me, it’s a good ol’ fashion cup of joe. Nothing special, just something to start the day before I feed, groom and perform Nick’s daily health inspection. It’s a daily ritual that makes sure we’re both at our best.

Any treats to go with the coffee?

No treats for either of us in the morning. As a MWD security team, we both have to maintain the highest level of health, fitness and readiness to ensure that we keep our community safe. We both follow a strict diet that, with the exception of birthdays and special events, doesn’t allow for many treats.

How did Nick come to be united with you?

Nick was assigned to me by the Kennel Master when I first came to CFAY. Because I had experience working with younger MWD’s at my last command, he felt it would be a good match for both of us.

How did Nick get his name?

Nick got his name when he was purchased from a breeder by the Department of Defense, before he started his training in Texas.

Has Nick earned any special medals or commendations?

No medals or commendations yet, just the grateful appreciation of the community he serves.

I understand MWD are trained in areas like narcotic and explosive detection, building searches, open area scouting, and special search missions. Does your dog have a specialty or specialties?

Nick is a dual purpose MWD that specializes in patrol and detection. I can’t go into specifics about his specialties, but he is a respected member of the security team for the work he does. There is an old saying, “when the city is in trouble they call the police, when the police are in trouble they call the K-9.”

Do you participate in competitions with other MWD? If so, how did you do at a recent one?

We don’t participate in competitions with our MWDs. MWDs and handlers are mission focused 100% of the time. That includes training for real life scenarios and focusing on maintaining the highest levels of readiness and effectiveness at all times.

Which branch of the military has the best MWDs?

United States Navy.

Somehow I knew you were going to say the Navy. Which branch has the second best MWDs?

I believe that every branch takes pride in their work and when it comes to MWDs, as long as you put in your time and effort, you’ll make Americans proud and the community will appreciate you.

Have you & the dog been posted in a war zone? If so, can you briefly tell us something about the high point and low point of that experience?

Nick and I haven’t been posted down range, but we know that day will come. Until then, we will continue to protect the community and train for whatever mission awaits us.

What's your MWD's proudest moment?

I hope it was the day he met his handler, but Nick is a very proud dog so it’s hard to tell when he is most proud. Sometimes I think he might have some Malinois in his blood. Malinois and Shepherds are from the same family and Malinois are known for being very proud dogs.

Among the other MWDs at CFAY, who does your dog best get along with?

Nick is still learning his trade and getting used to his territory in Yokosuka, so we have not introduced him face to face with any of the MWDs here. MWDs are very proud animals and we must ensure that interactions take place at a time that will ensure the safety of the dogs and the handlers. Nick will be introduced to the other dogs as a part of his future training.

Special thanks to Ben S. Avey, Media/Community Relations Specialist, Public Affairs Office, Commander Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, for his help with this interview.

--Marshal Zeringue

Julie Fenster & Kipper

Who is in the photo at right?

Meet Kipper, a purehearted mixed-breed, born with the millennium. I found her at the S.P.C.A. She was just standing in a cage, emaciated, because she was too upset by her incarceration to eat. Later, I saw her official chart, across which the veterinarian had written “BEHAVIOR PROBLEM” in the thickest penmanship I’ve ever seen. I’ll bet he broke the pen.

She did have some strange tendencies. They were hard to miss during our first weeks together. She ate a sofa. She considered pillows dangerous ordnance, to be heroically defused and dismantled. I won’t tell you what she thought Persian rugs were for. And she would run away whenever she detected any chance of escape. But one great day, she came back of her own volition. That was when I knew she was mine. (I had known from the first second that I was hers.)

Anyway, the convenient thing about Kipper is that she understands English, perfectly. It isn’t the inflection; she knows what I am saying at least half the time – which is more than my friends ever do.

Who are you and what do you do?

I'm Julie Fenster. I write books for a living, presidential history by and large. My new book is about the “couple of three” composed of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, and their friend, Louis Howe. When the Roosevelts were down and out, Howe left his own family to move in with them. With what I might call for the sake of Coffee With a Canine “dog-like” devotion and unconditional love, he brought out the best in each of them. That book is called FDR's Shadow (Palgrave 2009). I am working now on a book about Nevada – not the state, but the wild horse that I suddenly found that I owned this past summer.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Angela Lansbury’s birthday.

Kipper and I like to play hooky and watch old movies on television in the morning. Today happens to be Miss Lansbury’s birthday and there is a daylong tribute to her on television.

If Kipper ever became the progenitor of an official breed, the announcer at the Westminster Dog Show would say, “The Kipper Dog Breed is known for its perfect body temperature, along with its ability to lay down next to its handler and cure stomach aches, back aches, stiff joints and even the worst insomnia. The Kipper Dog is most famous, however, for its good taste in old movies and the ability to watch three or four in a row without budging.”

Right now, The Harvey Girls is on. (n.b. Angela Lansbury is a certifiable genius, by the way.)

What's brewing?

Bewley’s is the best coffee; it comes from Ireland. Jacob’s is another European coffee that is excellent. We serve both at the house. Today’s a good day, we have Dancing Deer Bakery cookies, too.

Any treat for your dog on this occasion?

When Kipper arrived, she truly didn’t understand the set-up. She had hated her former owners so much that she came to believe that life consisted of running away whenever possible. To impress a new idea on her -- the idea of home -- I developed the habit of giving her a biscuit every time she came in the door, no matter why she had been outside. She hasn’t run away in eight years, but she still gets the biscuits: Milk-Bone and/or gourmet brands.

We're both happy: Kipper is having her cookies and I’m having mine.

How did your dog come to be united with you?

I am convinced that God gave me Kipper. I’m just not that lucky under normal circumstances. There has to be another explanation. What is past the universe ... when did time begin ... what’s heaven like ... how did Julie M. Fenster get Kipper?

How did she get her name?

I liked the word “kipper,” in English gastronomy. And Kip answered to it. Not long after she arrived, I gave it for some reason a Rumanian twist, Kippenescu. And there was a salvage yard near here called Pelnick Wrecking. In view of her talent for ruination, I called her Kippenescu Pelnikov. Names should be fun to say.

Does she have any influence on your writing?

Kipper is very encouraging in my writing. At those times when I have to turn my back on all else and stay up late at night to finish something, Kipper is the only one who doesn’t try to lecture me about starting earlier, for crying out loud, next time and pacing my work for once. For some of us, that doesn’t work. Concentration is fired by pressure. Kipper is the one who stays by me, even when the night never ends.

What's an ordinary day like for your dog?

Kipper will answer this question ...

Kipper: Very dull. I wish I lived on a ranch in Wyoming.

Julie: Oh, great. I just gave you credit for being so supportive.

Kipper: Don’t ever be a writer’s dog.

Julie: I thought you liked it here.

Kipper: Don’t kid yourself. It’s boring.

Who is your dog's best pet-pal?

Kipper learned an awful lot from The Puppy, my beloved dog who died of old age several years ago. The Puppy instilled discipline into Kipper (and me, by the way). She taught Kipper the rules of the household, as she saw them. For example: food. If Kipper tried to snatch food from a table or counter, it was The Puppy who stopped her. The Puppy gave Kipper countless tips that I can identify – and probably just as many that would be known only to dogs.

What's your dog's best quality?

I like to think that I am Kipper’s favorite, but in truth, she is very dear and makes everyone feel that she loves them best. And, like all dogs, she knows no snobbery. She is very observant, yet never notices what people look like. I have tried to learn that trait from her.

Julie M. Fenster is the author of the critically acclaimed The Case of Abraham Lincoln and co-author with Douglas Brinkley of the New York Times bestseller Parish Priest. Her books include the award-winning Ether Day and Race of the Century.

A regular contributor to American Heritage, Fenster has also written for the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. She has appeared on NPR and C-Span, among others.

Read about Fenster's new book, FDR's Shadow: Louis Howe, The Force That Shaped Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.

Visit Julie M. Fenster's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Neil Plakcy & Samwise

Who is in the photo at right?

My name is Neil Plakcy, and I write a mystery series set in Honolulu which so far includes four books: Mahu, Mahu Surfer, Mahu Fire, and Mahu Vice, which just came out in August 2009. With me is Samwise, my sweetheart of a nine-year-old male Golden Retriever.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I usually do my writing at Starbucks, but this morning the weather was so miserable (rain, thunder and lightning) that I decided to stay home and keep the dog company. He’s very phobic about thunderstorms, so he has crawled under the desk and on top of my feet. I’m not as good at making coffee as the baristas are, but I try my best.

What's brewing?

My favorite drink is a raspberry mocha with whip and a mocha drizzle. At home I make it by pouring espresso over a heaping helping of raspberry-flavored hot chocolate, along with a dollop of raspberry syrup for extra oomph. Foamed milk, whipped cream from a squirt bottle, and a tracing of chocolate syrup on top.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

Today I’m nibbling on homemade apple bread. Sam would probably like some, too, but I have a strict no-people-food policy. Unfortunately his other daddy, my partner, doesn’t go along with that. It’s easier to train the dog than the human, so Sam knows not to bother begging from me.

Any treat for the dog on this occasion?

Sam comes running any time you rattle the treat box—sometimes he’ll come down the stairs so fast he splays all four paws out when he hits the tile floor. His current favorites are tiny t-bones from Walmart, and heart-shaped cookies from Newman’s Own.

How did Sam come to be united with you?

When I met my partner, he had a Yorkshire Terrier and a Collie. A few months after we all moved in together, the Collie passed away, and we wanted another big dog. We went to a kennel run by a vet where we looked at a bunch of different breeds. We kept coming back to Sam, though. I had friends with a Golden and knew they were sweet and smart, and Sam won us over with his happy, playful personality.

How did Samwise get his name?

One of my favorite books is (obviously) JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. My partner wanted to call the puppy Sam, and I agreed, provided we could register him with the AKC as Samwise. I already knew he was going to become my faithful companion, just as the hobbit Samwise is to Frodo in the books. (Plus he has furry feet, just like a hobbit.)

Where do you usually take Samwise out for fresh air?

We have a morning and an evening circuit within our community. We walk around a big lake ringed with palm trees in the morning, which is so beautiful and peaceful. On clear days it reminds me of a Monet painting, the landscape reflected in the water. Sam likes to play with the ducks—at least he thinks he’s playing when he romps after them. In the evening we walk around the residential streets so Sam can meet up with some of his doggy friends. He’s very sociable.

Does Samwise have any best friends?

Of course, once I learned that the Collie down the street was named Frodo, I had to arrange a meeting for him and Sam. They’re best pals now, and we dog-sit Frodo when his family goes away for a couple of weeks in the summer. They return the favor, but I don’t think Sam likes going visiting as much as he likes having Frodo as a house guest.

Has Samwise found his way into your mystery novels?

He has such a big place in my heart there’s no way he couldn’t. My hero is an openly gay homicide detective in Honolulu, and in the fifth book, the one I’m revising right now, he moves in with his partner, an investigator for the Honolulu Fire Department. About halfway through the book, Mike works a fire in which a heroic Golden Retriever saves his family. Sadly, the only new home the family can find is one that does not allow them to keep their dog, and Mike and Kimo adopt him. Roby is just as smart, sweet and happy as Sam. It’s lots of fun building Golden moments into this new book!

Neil Plakcy is the author of Mahu, Mahu Surfer, Mahu Fire, and Mahu Vice, mystery novels which take place in Hawaii.

He is co-editor of Paws & Reflect: A Special Bond Between Man and Dog (Alyson Books, 2006) and editor of Hard Hats (Cleis, June 2008).

Placky is a journalist and book reviewer as well as an assistant professor of English at Broward College's south campus in Pembroke Pines. He is a member of Sisters in Crime, vice president of the Florida chapter of Mystery Writers of America, and a frequent contributor to gay anthologies.

Visit Neil Placky's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Charlaine Harris & Scrunch, Rocky, and Oscar

Who is in the photo at right?

I’m Charlaine Harris, writer, and my dogs are Oscar, an aged male dachshund, Rocky, a male boxer-spaniel crossbreed, and Scrunch, female, a sort of terrier. Of course, all our dogs are neutered.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Every day is Take Your Dog to Work Day at my house. They’re my constant companions in my office, and the dogs and a cup of coffee are the way I start my day.

What's brewing?

Folgers Dark.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

Not this morning.

Any treat for your dogs on this occasion?

Beggin Strips.

How did your dogs come to be united with you?

We adopted all of them. Rocky was a puppy; he’s probably eight years old now. The lady who was giving his litter away brought all of them over in her car trunk. W e have no idea how old Oscar is, but he’s a grumpy old man. I found him in the local animal shelter when our priest did a blessing of the animals on St. Francis Day. Scrunch is about three, and a horse had kicked her, crushing her hip. The lady that owned her (I’m gathering) may not have wanted to deal with all the surgery Scrunch needed.

How did they get their names?

I named Oscar for the weiner, my son thought Rocky was a good tough name for a dog, and Scrunch already had a name.

Have your dogs influenced your writing in any way?

Probably, by constant interruption.

In your Southern Vampire series, Sam Merlotte is a shape-shifter. He can change into any kind of animal yet usually transforms himself into a collie. Why a collie? Any chance of him someday changing into, say, a pit-bull or bison frise?

Sam shifts into a collie because he knows people really like them, and are less likely to whip out their varmint rifle if the dog they see is a collie. Sam can change dogs any time he wants to; for that matter, he’s been a lion.

What's an ordinary day like for your dogs?

Eat, poop, sleep, bark at the enemies all around them that threaten our home daily. That would be the mailman, the UPS delivery guy, and our goose.

Who are your dogs' best pet-pals?

Oh, Shade from down the street is their best buddy.

What are your dogs' best qualities?

They can’t talk, and they love us. Oscar sticks close to home, Scrunch is very loving, and Rocky has a very soft coat.

What are your dogs' proudest moments so far? Their most embarrassing?

I can’t think of any. My kids tried to dress Oscar in a sweater one time, and he refused to take a step. He just fell over. Passive resistance at its finest. That’s all I can think of.

Charlaine Harris' books include the lighthearted Aurora Teagarden series, featuring "a diminutive Georgia librarian whose life never turns out quite the way she planned"; the much edgier Shakespeare series -- set not in England, but in rural Arkansas -- featuring "Lily Bard, a tough and taciturn woman whose life has been permanently reshaped by a terrible crime and its consequences"; and the Southern Vampire series, starring a telepathic barmaid called Sookie Stackhouse and her life among vampires and werewolves and other creatures of the night.

The Southern Vampire series is the basis for HBO's hit series, True Blood.

Visit Charlaine Harris' website and blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Laura Wiess, Janie & Maggie May

Who is in the photo at right?

That'd be me, Laura Wiess (left), author of the S&S novels Such a Pretty Girl, Leftovers and most recently, How It Ends. I'm hanging out with my friend Janie who generously cured my dog-less state by making me an auntie to Marvelous Maggie May, Janie's smart and sassy three year-old spayed Welsh Corgi.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

My weak will. I'm totally susceptible to the siren song of dogs, friends and coffee. I can't help it, and in all honesty, I don’t even try. It's a glorious surrender.

What's brewing?

Good, strong Community Coffee from Baton Rouge. Pure and simple.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

Oh, yes. We devoured half an apple pie Janie made fresh with Johnny Mac apples picked up at a local orchard.

Any treat for Maggie May on this occasion?

Besides all of those hugs and kisses? Beggin' Strips, her favorite.

How did you meet the dog; how did she come to be united with Janie?

Jane's Basset hound took gravely ill and died suddenly, leaving her heartbroken, and swearing she could never bear to get another dog. But as time passed the house felt too lonely, so she began to think about it.

She went on a retreat and while walking in the woods with her sister, Jane broached the still painful subject of perhaps getting another dog, specifically a Welsh Corgi.

Five minutes after Jane had finished explaining the breed to her sister, who was unfamiliar with them, she looked up and blurted, "There! That's a Welsh Corgi right there!" because – and talk about a truly bizarre coincidence -- one had just darted out of the woods and down the path in front of them.

So Jane went home, located a woman who showed Corgis and was told of a family that had bred their Corgi one time before spaying, and there were pups available.

Jane drove out to see them, and came home with her Maggie girl.

As for me? I met Janie through her delightful brother Stew, and was totally enchanted with Maggie the first moment I saw her. I am a very proud auntie.

How did she get her name?

On the car ride home, Janie looked at the wee pup and said, "Are you a Molly…" No response. "…or a Maggie?" Much Corgi enthusiasm ensued, so it was a done deal.

What's an ordinary day like for Maggie?

Maggie wakes up bright-eyed and ready for adventures like...
playing Frisbee…
sneaking the forbidden…
getting feisty and full of beans…
being on the look-out for marauding bears…
sacrificing herself to the burden of being adored…
and adoring her beloved in return.
Who is Maggie's best pet-pal?

Riley, the polite, handsome German Shorthair/Black Lab mix next door. She loves chasing, and then kissing on him. (He enjoys it too, although he's too gentlemanly to say so.)

What's Maggie's best quality?

Jane says it's Maggie's affectionate nature. I'd add her blithe, never-say-die enthusiasm, in that she's determined to be bosom buddies with Livy the cat, much to Livy's overwhelming horror at the thought.

What's Maggie's proudest moment so far? Her most embarrassing?

She's very proud of the welcome she gets when she and Janie visit the nursing home, and always greets her friends and family there with the utmost tenderness.

As for embarrassing, well…although hiding behind the toilet during a thunderstorm seems more sensible than embarrassing to me, Maggie does come out afterward looking kind of sheepish, so...

Have any dogs influenced your writing in any way?

Oh, yes. I can think of four, right off the top.

Although my own two big, beautiful girls have long since passed, I still miss them. Cody, a very smart, protective German shepherd, was the first dog I ever had as an adult, and she was my heart. Velvet, a soft, sweet, silky girl with a feathered tail and bloomers was a mixed breed, and gentle enough to raise five rescue kittens. (Both dogs were spayed, as I'm a fan of not adding to the pet overpopulation problem.)

The second was a short story I read years ago in a book called Animals You Will Never Forget (Readers Digest). It was titled "Savage Dog" and it broke my heart. To this day, just thinking about it makes me tearful.

And last but not least, there is Wendy Darling, an elderly Golden Retriever in my second book Leftovers. Wendy was born of loving and missing Cody and Velvet, and feeling really fierce about the fate of dogs left to those who do not keep good care of their beautiful, loyal hearts.

So while I have no doubt that I will someday find another dog of my own, for now I'm content with being Auntie Laura to the charming, cheerful little Maggie May.

I mean really, what could be better than this?

Laura Wiess is the author of the critically acclaimed novels Such a Pretty Girl, chosen as one of the ALA’s 2008 Best Books for Young Adults and 2008 YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, Leftovers, and the recently published How It Ends.

Originally from Milltown, New Jersey, she traded bumper-to-bumper traffic, excellent pizza, and summer days down the shore for scenic roads, bears, no pizza delivery, and the irresistible allure of an old stone house surrounded by forests in Pennsylvania’s Endless Mountains Region.

Visit the official Laura Wiess website and blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Sydney Salter & Jack and Rosie

Who is in the photo at right?

I am Sydney Salter, author of My Big Nose And Other Natural Disasters, Jungle Crossing, and Swoon At Your Own Risk. My dogs are five-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog siblings named Jack and Rosie.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

We took the dogs hiking up Adams Canyon where they splashed in the stream, sniffed other dogs, and helped haul me up the steep parts (a distinct advantage to large dogs). On the way home we stopped for coffee and a snack. Jack and Rosie were more than happy to relax on the grass.

What's brewing?

I’m sipping a mocha outside of Grounds For Coffee (a Utah favorite).

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

I couldn’t resist the pumpkin scone with white chocolate chips.

Any treat for your dogs on this occasion?

The dogs shared a day-old bagel that I’m sure paired beautifully with the stream water they drank.

How did your dogs come to be united with you?

Our puppies arrived via a long airline flight from Iowa—in desperate need of a bath! Three days later doctors found a (thankfully benign) tumor in my 8-year-old daughter’s spine. What a crazy time—we flew in both grandmothers to care for my four-year-old and our not-yet-potty trained puppies while my husband and I lived at the hospital for a week. Jack and Rosie provided a happy distraction while my daughter recovered from surgery.

Do your dogs influence your writing?

Actually, my writing influences my dogs. I used to be a cat person. Not having grown up with anyone of the canine persuasion, I didn’t get dogs. Compared to cats they seemed rather needy, plus they didn’t know how to use litter boxes. But then I started researching a novel set in Alaska. Again and again, I read amazing tales about the dogs beloved by native Inuit, gold rush adventurers, and many others who survived those harsh winters. Hmm, I thought, my cat would not sit through a snowstorm to warm my frostbitten body, unless it benefited him, of course. I decided I wanted to live with one of these amazing creatures—or maybe two (part of me hankered for a whole dog sled team). My family was thrilled when I announced that I was finally ready to own dogs.

Now that I have big, hairy, shedding dogs who eat 40 pounds of dog food every ten days or so, I understand the appeal of small dogs.

How did they get their names?

We named them after their parents (John & Rozan Kat), not the characters in Titanic.

Tennis ball, stick, frisbee...?

Rosie has a stuffed football that she carries around to the delight of my football-loving husband. Jack likes a good rawhide chew, but he’ll often sacrifice it to his sister.

What's an ordinary day like for your dogs?

Jack and Rosie start their day with a cookie (why not?) and some backyard playtime. Then they come inside and watch us bustle around getting ready for work and school (98% of the time my daughter remembers to feed them). The majority of their day is spent napping or watching me write. At dinnertime, I feel like Rachel Ray as the dogs politely sit in the kitchen observing my every move. In the evenings, they put us to work letting them in and out, in and out, until more cookies at bedtime.

Who is each dog's best pet-pal?

Both of them would like to get to know our pet tortoises much better, even though their attempt to make friends with the cats didn’t work out so well. Ouch! They love to wrestle and tussle with each other or canine friends.

What's each dog's best quality?

Rosie is probably the sweetest creature I’ve ever known. She adores everyone! And she’s got a fun, goofy personality.

Jack is a true gentleman. When we hike, I have to ask him to walk ahead of me when the trail narrows. He also sits around the house with his legs politely crossed.

What's each dog's proudest moment so far? Their most embarrassing?

Jack’s most embarrassing moment is really one of mine. Back when they were large, eager, but not so-well-trained puppies, we took Jack and Rosie to the Oregon Coast. I had not yet discovered the ideal collar that would minimize the effects of Jack’s enthusiasm and heft as he charged away from me. More than once, Jack bounded toward the surf, causing me to stumble to my knees. The worst time was when he leapt toward a well-behaved Newfoundland. I sprawled on the sand, arm outstretched, still clinging onto the handle of the retractable leash. The Newfie’s owner was not amused. Jack kept pulling, rolling me onto my back, but I held on, arm stretching farther and farther. At this point, I resembled a beached seal. My family laughed so hard that they sounded like barking seals!

Rosie’s proudest moment happened the summer before last. We found her at bedtime, crumpled in the yard in horrific pain. We took her up to sleep, but my husband quickly realized she needed to go to the vet ER. We drove several miles to the only twenty-four hour clinic in our area. Rosie slumped on the waiting room floor, lifeless. She had bloat (a twisted intestine). Yet, when the doctor walked in to examine her, she managed to enthusiastically thump her tail several times in greeting. Right then we realized that we would do just about anything to save her life. Her $urgery was $ucce$$ful and within a week she was leaping around like her usual goofy self.

Sydney Salter published two books this year: My Big Nose And Other Natural Disasters and Jungle Crossing. Her third novel, Swoon At Your Own Risk, is due out in 2010.

She held a variety of jobs before becoming a full-time writer, including a brief stint delivering pies and flowers, wrecking vans, and destroying wedding cakes in Reno, Nevada.

Visit Sydney Salter's website and blog.

--Marshal Zeringue