Henriette Lazaridis Power & Finn

Who is in the photo at right?

This is me, Henriette Lazaridis Power, novelist and author of The Clover House (Ballantine Books 2013) and Entertainment Coordinator for Finn, the family Golden Retriever, aged 7 1/2.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Every morning, Finn chooses not to follow in the footsteps of his late uncle Flash who sang along to the coffee grinder. Finn greets this noisy first step in daily coffee preparation in stoic silence. Actually, since nothing Finn does is stoic, it’s more likely that he is stunned each morning into muteness by the authority of this small, hoarse creature that gets to sit on the kitchen counter while he watches, in awe, from below. Finn is an Omega Dog.

What's brewing?

I grind Starbucks beans, a mixture of decaf and caff, and make a French press. If I’m feeling lazy--or if I want to give Finn a break from the Grinder God--I pop a pod in a Nespresso and make an Americano.

Any treats for you or Finn on this occasion?

My treat is a scone pretty much every day. Finn has just had his breakfast. Do you want me to spoil him?

How were you and Finn united?

Our dog Flash died suddenly at age eight, and while we thought we would be all right with just have one dog--our black Lab-Border Collie mix Ailsa--we couldn’t bear to see her go outside and stand there, looking for the buddy she used to boss around. We contacted the breeder we had gotten Flash from, and she immediately put us on the top of her list. Lo and behold, she had a litter coming in a month, and we got Finn. Ailsa was very happy and so were we.

How did Finn get his name? Any aliases?

Our daughter who was 13 at the time chose the name out of thin air. He has several aliases, depending on his mood, among them: Finniedoodle, Finsterwald. Doodlebug. Doodle, and Buddy-Buddy. Also Sweedart (say it aloud).

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

Depends on the day. There are lots of days when he lies near my feet and makes his patented radiator noises, as though his polite frustration at not being able to go out and play Frisbee is escaping from him discreetly like steam. I end up feeling like Odysseus trying not to heed the sirens’ call, and eventually, I give in to the dog’s whistling (a sort of pathetic come-hither) and take him outside. I like to think my writing benefits from this pause in the fictional action. There are other days when I need a break and, whether he’s making his noises or not, I am all too eager to go throw the disc for him or take him for a walk.

Cat, postman, squirrel…?

Cat, but not in the way you think. Our ageless cat Cascade is the complete master of the house. Finn will go the long way around to reach even his most beloved object as long as he doesn’t have to cross paths with the ominous feline.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick…?

Besides the black soft-rubber Frisbee that he lives and dies for (and catches mid-air quite athletically, even though he does not wear a bandanna), the object of Finn’s greatest affection is a stuffed lamb toy named Roger.

Does Finn have a favorite place to go for outings?

Finn says the theater. He enjoys comedies. But every now and then he feels the need to push his emotional range by viewing a tragedy. Aeschylus is good. He really recommends him. Finn just thinks he has a lot to say about the human condition.

Or anywhere the Frisbee goes.

Who is Finn's best pet-pal?

Finn says: “I'm in an interesting relationship at the moment with a cat, who I like a lot but I'm also horrified by. It's tricky. I don't want to talk about it.”

What is Finn's best quality?

Without a doubt his razor-sharp wit. And his ability to catch the Frisbee.

If Finn could change one thing about Bostonians, what would it be?

He just wishes they would enjoy life more. They don't need to be so angry. They should throw the Frisbee more.

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

Where did you put the other Frisbee?

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

Besides my college-age daughter who voices Finn for us, I’d say Tina Fey. Or Daniel Craig.

Visit Henriette Lazaridis Power's website and blog.

Writers Read: Henriette Lazaridis Power.

The Page 69 Test: The Clover House.

--Marshal Zeringue

Ashli & Pepe Pleasant

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm Ashli, an Australian expat living in the United States. I'm a Freelance Writer, certified Personal Trainer and I blog over at But What About Protein?

The little guy with me is Pepe Pleasant. He just turned 2 years old and he's a 4lb Chihuahua.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

A celebration of Pepe's birthday, and the warmer weather finally arriving which allows Pepe to enjoy his favorite pastime - sunbathing on the deck.

What's brewing?

Green Mountain Coffee Organic Decaf House Blend, in my Mr Coffee coffeemaker.

Any treats for you or Pepe on this occasion?

Pepe enjoyed some steamed sweet potato from the batch I make for him each week, and a small spoonful of peanut butter - his two favorite treats.

How were you and Pepe united?

I was rather lonely after moving from Australia to the United States, and with a husband who often worked overseas and interstate, I wanted some extra company. I looked on a local website for dogs that needed to find a new home, and as soon as I saw Pepe's picture, I knew he was the one. We met in person the next day, and have been inseparable ever since.

How did Pepe get his name? Any aliases?

Pepe was named for the skunk Pepe La Pew, the Parisian skunk who strolls the streets of Paris in search of love. I have a love affair with Paris after going to school there, and when I saw Pepe, the name just popped into my head - it seemed to fit him perfectly.

The second part of his name "Pleasant" is a nod to my husband's southern roots, where "double names" are traditionally used. His name is usually just shortened to Pepe, but he has a number of nicknames including Peppers, Bubby, Little Man and Baby Boy.

Does Pepe play any role in your "But What About Protein?" blog?

Pepe is in my lap while I'm writing every post, and he is with me in the kitchen while I'm developing recipes. He always manages to "talk" me into giving him a try of any dog friendly ingredients I may be using!

Cat, postman, squirrel?

Definitely cat - Pepe loves playing chase with his big sister, a 6 year old cat named Freya Darling.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick?

Pepe can't go past a squeaky toy - his favorite is a little triceratops that he's doing his best to "de-squeak".

Does Pepe have a favorite place to go for outings?

Pepe loves going for long walks at a local walking trail nearby. There's so much to see - squirrels, deer, birds. It's a Chihuahua's paradise!

Who is Pepe's best pet-pal?

Pepe's best pet-pal is his big sister, Freya Darling. It took a while for them to get used to each other - Freya had been the queen of the house for quite a few years, but Pepe managed to work his way into Freya's heart. They love chasing each other around the house!

What is Pepe's best quality?

Pepe's best quality is his friendly outgoing nature. He loves giving kisses to everyone he meets, and he's never met a human or animal that he didn't like.

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

That I would never have to leave the house, and that I didn't ration his sweet potato - he would love to eat the whole batch in one sitting!

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

I would ask Pepe if he knows how much he means to me and how much I love him.

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

Olivier Martinez.

Visit Ashli's But What About Protein? blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Marianne Wesson & Mo and Amos

Who is in the photo at right?

Amos is a rescue Great Pyrenees. He’s only nine, but showing serious signs of age. Sadly, these big dogs don’t live for that long. Amos is the third Pyrenees we’ve owned. For a long time we tried to keep a pair as guard dogs; we keep llamas, and there are mountain lions active in our neighborhood. Ivan and Misty are no longer with us, but Amos remains, although now retired from guard duty. He was never much of threat to the predators anyway, poor sweet guy. It became clear after we brought him home that he had experienced terrible abuse, and he’s frightened of almost everything. He’s affectionate with us and few frequent visitors, but mostly he hides when anyone or anything unfamiliar shows up. Our other dog is Mo, a seven-year old mutt; he’s mostly Wheaton Terrier, we think.

I'm Marianne Wesson, law professor, novelist, and author of the new book, A Death at Crooked Creek: The Case of the Cowboy, the Cigarmaker, and the Love Letter.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

What do you mean, occasion? It’s morning, of course. Comes around every day. Morning without caffeine is not to be contemplated, not by me, anyway. When it’s sunny, I try to drink a cup outdoors on our ranch. The big rocks you see catch the morning sun and warm up beautifully. Amos [with Misty and llamas, photo left] was willing to join me on this occasion, but you can tell he’s not all that happy about it. I rarely have morning coffee anywhere but at home—we live about ten miles (five of them dirt road) from the nearest coffee shop. You might find me at one in the afternoon, but by then I’m ready to switch from the coffee to something more soothing.

What's brewing?

I make coffee for myself one cup at a time, in a Keurig coffeemaker with a reusable K-cup. Lately I’ve been filling it with Starbucks French Roast. I know some people say it tastes burnt, but I guess I like it that way.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

Just the coffee for me, and the sunshine for both of us.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Mo [photo right] was named by my husband Ben; his real name is Monster. Ben had just gotten a Ducati Monster motorcycle and was very infatuated with it. But the dog lasted much longer than the bike, and these days we just call him Mo. Or Mojo, Mo-man, and any other stupid two-syllable name that starts with Mo-. Or Mope, when he is wearing that dejected dog look like he is just so very disappointed.

Amos is named in a tradition of rechristening the Pyrenees after we get them home from the rescue shelter. His name was Aramis, like the Musketeer (and the aftershave). But that was just way too pompous a name for a ranch dog, so we tried to find a better name that would sound enough like Aramis that he’d know we were talking to him. (He’s deaf now, so it probably doesn't matter what we call him. Unless he can lip-read, which is possible.) We had to go through something similar with Misty, whose shelter name was Christy, but that is also Ben’s ex-wife’s name and he thought the human Christy would be furious if she heard we had a dog with her name, so we changed it to Misty. Misty caught right on.

How were you and your dogs united?

Mo came from the Longmont, Colorado Humane Society, brought home by a very happy Ben. I brought Amos  home, after many preliminaries, from Great Pyrenees Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc., outside of Colorado Springs: a wonderful organization.

How do your animals help--and how do they hinder--your writing?

Writers can be emotional wrecks sometimes, at least this one can, and I’m sure they act as therapy animals. My new book, A Death at Crooked Creek, took me ten years to research, write, revise, and publish. At least five dogs served as my confidantes over that time. They don’t really hinder—Ben is really the animal care specialist here anyway.

Squirrel, postman, cat....?

Our mail is delivered five miles down the road, so that’s not an issue. There’s one squirrel that Mo hates with a steaming passion, and he goes berserk when he sees this rodent through the window. We’ve learned not to let him out to chase the trespasser because he’s come back with his footpads full of cactus spines that he picked up while in hot pursuit. We have four cats (two house, two barn) who have their own issues, but they tolerate the dogs and the dogs are fond of them. Mo [as a puppy, photo right] sometimes gets excited by the local wildlife, especially the elk and wild turkeys, but he doesn't rally want to chase them, just bark.

Who are your dogs' best pet-pals?

Each other. They don’t really see too many other dogs because of where we live. Mo does have a couple of buddies among my friends’ dogs, who come to visit occasionally.

What is each dog's best quality?

Mo: likes to stand on his head.

Amos: sweetness.

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

Amos [with Freckles the llama, photo left] would actually prefer that there be no people in the state except for me and Ben. Mo would like for every Coloradan to send him a chewy, and is so very disappointed this has not happened.

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

Amos: Robert Duvall.

Mo: Billy Crystal.

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

Mo: What is your deal?

Amos: (same).

Visit Marianne Wesson's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Camille Egdorf & Kemuk

Who is in the photo at right?

My name is Camille Egdorf and I make my living in the fly fishing industry. I work in Alaska during the summers as a fly fishing guide and cook then during the winters I attend college in Bozeman, Montana and am a travel host for a booking agent called Fishing With Larry. I also write for Muskegon River Lodge's monthly newsletter. My canine companion is named Kemuk (key-muck) and he's a 2 year old, 100lb male yellow lab.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Coffee with Kemuk is an occasion that mainly occurs while in Alaska. Before the rest of the camp is awake, I brew a pot of cowboy coffee, start a fire in the fire pit and sit listening to the river ghostly flow by with Kemuk at my side. It's the perfect way to start a day.

What's brewing?

"The best part of waking up, is having Folger's in your cup!" Folger's coffee is what I have perking on the stove top in the mornings. I'm not what you would call a "die hard" coffee drinker so I always mix in a little hot chocolate with my freshly brewed coffee. Which I guess is called a Mocha?

Any treats for you or Kemuk on this occasion?

Kemuk is spoiled and it's a wonder that he's not 20 pounds heftier than he is. I prepare lunches for clients before breakfast and I always chuck pieces of lunch meat to him. He definitely knows when to sit next to the counter in the morning and puts on his best beggar's face. He goes bonkers if there's bacon involved.

How were Kemuk and your parents united?

Kemuk was a gift from a family friend. My dad had been looking for a good lab for a few years but never found the right fit. When Ole (family friend) had a litter of puppies, he gave dad the biggest pup of the litter. Right from the start we knew Kemuk was different. He had no problems with being alone and was fearless. My dad was immediately attached.

How did Kemuk get his name? Any aliases?

My dad is a pilot and does all of our flying in Alaska. When flying to our camp there is one mountain that he always flies around and uses as a landmark. It's his favorite mountain and it's name just so happens to be Kemuk.

What's the wildest critter Kemuk has met in the wild?

Kemuk has had many encounters with critters in the great outdoors. Most of which take place in Alaska. He's seen bears and caribou but I think the most intense experience was when he had a stand off with a cow moose. This moose was crossing the river right in front of camp when Kemuk caught her scent and started barking and running up and down the river bank. She ran off into the bushes and about a minute later she came back out, mad. Before I could grab Kemuk, he took off and it looked as though he was going to chase the cow, however the exact opposite happened. The moose's ears went back, her hackles went up and she chased Kemuk back into camp. I've never seen a dog go from macho man to scaredy cat so quick.

You're a fly-fishing professional. Has a dog, your own or a client's, ever gotten rambunctious just when you were about to hook a big fish?

Kemuk is a fantastic dog but he's also 100 lbs of muscle and pure adrenaline. He's like a 5 year old trapped in a dog's body. With that being said, he's not quite ready to be in a boat while out fishing; he'd probably tip the boat over if he saw a fish. He's a great dog to have around though if you're out wade fishing. He always lets you know if there's something going on.

Does Kemuk have a favorite place to go for outings?

Kemuk loves going duck hunting so I'd say that his favorite place to be would be in the duck blind waiting for ducks or tearing through the water to retrieve one.

What is Kemuk's best quality?

He has many great qualities but his best one would have to be his persistence. Although it can be annoying at times, he just never gives up. If he wants to play fetch, he'll bug you all day until you finally give in and throw a stick for him. If you're out hunting and there's a bird you're unable to find, he won't quit until he finds it. I remember watching him bring 3 ducks back at once this last duck season. My dad and I were amazed. He truly has the gift of persistence.

If Kemuk could change one thing about Alaskans, what would it be?

He would most definitely have them throw more sticks for him.

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

What do dogs dream about?

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

That is a great question. It would have to be someone with a sense of humor and the ability to do goofy voices. Jim Carrey maybe?

Visit Camille Egdorf's blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Darden North & Valerie and Foxy

Who are in the photos with this entry?

That’s me Darden North and our two dogs, Valerie and Foxy. Both are hand-me-ups from our daughter. Valerie is a Chihuahua and Foxy a Pomeranian-rat terrier mix, otherwise known as a pomerat. Foxy indeed resembles a fox and Valerie a Chihuahua. I share the feeding, walking, and picking-up duties of these two beautiful girls with my wife Sally, although I do most of the meals and picking-up. As expected, Valerie and Foxy love me more. The two girls are at my heels the minute I get home from my day job as an obstetrician-gynecologist in a busy medical practice in Jackson, Mississippi. After a walk around the block, the dogs follow me to the computer where I write mysteries and medical thrillers. My books are set in the Deep South where lots of folks sport Labrador retrievers, but I leave the lab (our grand dog) to our son in Kentucky.

My fourth novel Wiggle Room is due in June as an eBook and in trade-paper print from publisher Sartoris Literary Group. My second novel Points of Origin was awarded an IPPY in Southern Fiction. The screenplay of my third novel Fresh Frozen is in film development.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine? What’s brewing?

Foxy is the first one up with me at 5:25 a.m. on weekdays. She follows me into a small room off the master bedroom where we keep a Keurig coffee maker. My wife Sally usually has two clean cups waiting. (Sally uses the other cup – not Foxy.) Since most days I am due at the hospital for gyn surgery by 6:45, I need a lot of caffeine. My favorite wake-up brew is Revv by Keurig Brewers, so strong that I choose the 10 ounce selection to dilute it somewhat. I alternate this with Green Mountain Coffee’s Dark Magic. Until about 18 months ago I wasn’t a coffee drinker, except to complement dessert in a nice restaurant. I abandoned Diet Coke and switched to java when I needed to lose the 25 pounds gained while writing three thriller novels. (A lot of sodium is ingested with four Diet Cokes by 9:00 each morning.) We have the same type brewer at the office, and I usually drink a Donut Shop or Our Blend about 3 p.m. every day. (I sneak in a Coke Zero now and then to supplement.) I never drink coffee in the hospital doctors’ lounge --- no reason in particular.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

While I drink about half of the Revv, I take both dogs out for their morning backroom break. (We actually call it potty around our house.) The trick is not pouring the hot brew on Valerie when dragging her from under the covers for the trip to the backyard. The Chihuahua’s wake-up schedule is more in line with my wife’s. Valerie growls at Foxy during this process; I think she resents her sister for being so chipper so early. Foxy’s treat is an immediate breakfast of Science Diet Adult Dog, gulped in less time than the coffee maker can brew, before retiring to my closet for a nap. Valerie’s treat is to get back in bed after a few seconds outside. She burrows under the sheets and bedspread, sometimes without even a nose showing from under the edge. The wife never stirs.

How were you and your dogs united? And how did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Valerie was originally a Valentine’s Day gift to my daughter when she was in the eleventh grade. Valerie seemed to go well with Valentine, so Valerie Valentine North it was. I doubt if there are many other Chihuahuas named Valerie. Because she was so difficult to housetrain as a puppy, my wife and I became Valerie’s keeper. We’re still working on that seven years later and finally rolled-up the hall rug and put it away. When the same daughter was in college, she secretly bought Foxy from a kennel in Tennessee and gave her a name that I cannot remember. But I changed it to Foxy (Again refer to photo) when the sweet pomerat was still very young and Sally and I became primary care givers. I don’t think we ever gave Foxy a middle name. Occasionally we call them Val and Fox. We love them both.

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

My two dogs crave attention, but whose dog doesn’t? Valerie in particular will stand near when I’m writing at the desktop and bark the most high-pitched, irritating sound imaginable if I have been late with her second meal of the day. This is a late supper, usually around 10:30 before bed. Breakfast was around 6 p.m. Foxy has a favorite toy, a small yellow pillow – about her same fur color – that she likes to use in games of fetch. If I have ignored her, spending more than an hour or so writing, she appears with the toy and her own version of a piercing, irritating bark. Valerie and our son’s yellow lab (our grand dog Bandit) will play with the pillow when abandoned by Foxy. The toy is very durable, it seems. Sometimes sitting on the den couch and working on my laptop, I can accommodate both small dogs: Valerie in the remaining lap space between the keyboard and my stomach and Foxy behind my head at the top of the couch. She makes a great headrest.

Squirrel, postman, cat....?

Both Valerie and Foxy chase whatever crawls, flies, leaps, or burrows into our fenced-in backyard: cat, possum, squirrel, bird, rabbit, or mole. As I am answering these questions, Foxy is intrigued by a sparrow that keeps flying against the window pane. We both heard the knocking sound and went to investigate. Foxy also nips at the bottom of human pant legs. The other day I noted an unusual aroma while writing at the computer desktop. I looked down to the rug to find Foxy enjoying the remains of a frog head.

What is each dog's best quality?

Sally and I have had smarter pets in the past, but none as sweet as Foxy. I cannot claim that Valerie is not sweet because she loves to roll over for a tummy rub or plant a lick in the face of her mom or dad, but she is the conniving one, the regal one. Fox wins the peppy and cuddly contest. Both dogs are fiercely loyal.

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

They would want me to sleep later and not work so hard.

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

No one could play Valerie Valentine North except Joan Rivers. Like Rivers, who also has her own jewelry line on QVC, Valerie loves jewels, particularly rhinestone collars, although she prefers diamonds --- maybe a reward for sparing the rug in the hall? At Christmas my wife wraps both Valerie and Foxy in a necklace of pet-store pearls. Valerie probably knows they’re fake – doubt if Foxy cares. Kristin Chenoweth would be a natural as Foxy North because the actress is soft and peppy and blond.

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

“Valerie, why do you like to pose on the furniture like the queen of the neighborhood but still roll around outside in smelly things?”

“Foxy, why do you like to lick expensive upholstery fabric, which stains it and causes my wife to insist on having the den sofa recovered for the third time?”

Visit Darden North's website and blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Erin McGraw & Max and Sister

Who is in the photo at right?

That's Max, Sister, and me, Erin McGraw. Max is the shaggy eight-year-old Labradoodle, currently weighing in somewhere between 85 and 90 pounds, and Sister is a hound mix of some kind, also somewhere around eight years old, her fighting weight a sleek 55 pounds. I'm the one between them. When I'm not walking the dogs, feeding the dogs, brushing the dogs, or dispensing ear medicine to the dogs, I write fiction and teach at the Ohio State University.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine? And what's brewing?

Every morning kicks off with decaf brew at home--Peet's dark in a French press is my preference. The decaf is a concession to my ulcer, which I regularly tell Max and Sister comes from them. That's not true, probably. They don't seem terribly concerned either way.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

I try to live a clean life, at least before noon. I have been known to bend the rules for a biscotti, but I'm afraid the dogs get butkus. My husband and I are constantly trying to keep weight off Max. He had a knee replacement two years ago and I tell Max often, in solemn tones, that we have to protect our investment.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Max came to us pre-owned and pre-named. Sister was a shelter dog, so she was pre-named, too, but we felt less commitment to the name given to her for a few days by the Union County Shelter. "Sister" is a common nickname in the South for the girl in the family. I'm not a southerner, but my husband is, so we figured we had the right.

How were you and your dogs united?

We got Max when our house cleaner went to a garage sale to look at a fishing rod and found out that the woman running the sale had an 8-month-old Doodle she wanted to place. She had gotten it from a neighbor who had wanted a puppy over her husband's objections. Figuring he wouldn't be able to resist an adorable puppy if it was placed right in front of him, she ordered a ten-week-old Doodle to be sent to her from Virginia. Turns out her husband was immune to the pup's charms, so the dog went to the neighbor. She was a good soul, but she was a single working mom with no time or space to care for a very rapidly expanding dog. By the time we got Max he was over 50 pounds, and his pads still hadn't hardened; they were as soft as a newborn's.

Sister came on the scene about a year later, when Max did everything short of presenting us with a petition saying that he wanted a playmate. We took him with us to the shelter, and when we saw how well he and Sister played together, the deal was sealed. Good thing, because she was destructive as all get-out for the next six months, and if it weren't for Max, I would have been tempted to take her straight back.

Are there any dogs in your new novel, Better Food for a Better World?

Riley. He's a redbone coonhound and at the moment is a point-of-view character. In his big scene, he gets a mouthful of porcupine quills. He also engineers the big love scene (between people).

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

I don't find many things more comforting than the soft breathing of comfortable dogs beside me while I work. I'm also crazy about the smell of clean dogs in the sun. Sister, who's very catlike, follows the sun all day as it moves across the windows, and I frequently bury my nose in her warm fur.

But dogs know how to tell time--any dog owner knows this--and when it's nine o'clock Sister and Max don't give a rip whether my work is going well: They want their walk. Same deal at three o'clock. Is it my imagination, or is work always going at its best at 9 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon?

Squirrel, postman, cat....?

The UPS man has bought off their affections by bringing treats every time he leaves a box. They alert me to his presence when the truck turns a corner three-quarters of a mile away. But the mailman? Yes, they'll happily tear his throat out. After that, it's possum, cat, and squirrel in descending order. Oh, and also the neighbor's Maltese.

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

Revolting plush toys that have long been eviscerated and reduced to scraps of one-time pink or blue. Max is also very fond of hard plastic Y's that he gravely gnaws on, one arm at a time, while Sister tracks the sun in another room.

What is each dog's best quality?

Max is as affectionate as they come. If you want an extremely heavy, extremely hairy dog to recline on you, and often I do, Max is your fellow.

Despite her rocky start with us, Sister wants tremendously to please. As a result, she is an incredible heeler. Head high, tail high and wagging, she'll heel all day long. She looks good and she knows it.

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

That's easy. Waaaay more accommodating with the treats.

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

Kathleen Turner would do justice to Sister--a throaty, sexy voice and a mind with an agenda. Max lacks her impulse toward intrigue--he's very guileless. I'm thinking Steve Carell.

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

Can I wear your nose for five minutes?

Visit Erin McGraw's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Marianne McKiernan & Mina, Meryl, and Jeb

Who are in the photos below?

I'm Marianne McKiernan and I work at KMGH-TV in Denver as a producer and consumer advocate. I'm also a volunteer puppy raiser with my husband John, an author and an animal communicator.

[photo right: Marianne and Hydra, recently graduated as a Skilled Companion]

The photos are of our dogs, Mina, Meryl and Jeb, and the cats, Dewey and Diddums. The photo of me is with a "grandpuppy" from Ross, the sixth Canine Companions puppy we raised who was selected to be a CCI breeder dog.

Jeb is our current Canine Companions puppy in training. He's a Labrador/Golden Retriever cross, almost nine months old. Mina is eleven years old and she is a Saluki/Terrier mix. Meryl is a five-year old female Great Dane. Dewey is an Oriental Shorthair and Diddums is a British Shorthair. Both are males, rescues, around six years old, and extremely friendly and dog-tolerant.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

We're celebrating my book, Let the Dogs Speak! Puppies in Training Tell the Story of Canine Companions for Independence.

What's brewing?

It's a cold snowy night in Denver so I'm having freshly brewed New Mexico Piñon coffee with half-and-half. [photo left: Mina]

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

I made myself a 70-second chocolate cake (let me know if you want the recipe!) and each of the dogs got a small cookie. The cats don't particularly care about treats.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Jeb II came named by Canine Companions. All the puppies in a litter are named with the same initial so all his siblings are also "J" puppies. Jeb is named in honor of Jeb the First, a Canine Companions Facility Dog. Jeb the First has gone to the Rainbow Bridge, and we're honored to raise his namesake. We also call him Jebbity, Jebby, Jebenezer, and Jebidiah. I will admit to having moments of confusion when I lose track of who the current puppy is and revert to a previous puppy's name, so he's sometimes called Rocket, Ross, Mars or even a puppy for whom we recently sat! For instance, he got called Charlie this morning. Puppy raisers trade pups and puppy sit for each other, so it's often a rotating cast of puppies at our house. This week Otter is staying with us for a few days while his family is out of town. So far today he's been called Otter, Jeb and Charlie. I've been known to resort to "You there, puppy! Whatever your name is, stop that!" when all else fails.

Meryl, our Great Dane, [photo right, with Diddums] was originally named Madeleine, but we'd recently lost our elderly Greyhound who was also called Madeleine. Since there could only be one Madeleine, Meryl graciously agreed to be renamed. Aliases include Tall Girl, Tall Dog and Tall Doggie. Notice a theme?

Mina, our small Saluki/Terrier mix, was originally called Willamina which seemed way too long for her dainty self, so we shortened it to Mina, then lengthened it to Mina Mouse. She also goes by Mouse, Miss Mouse and Mousie.

How were you and your dogs united?

Jeb [photo left] arrived in Denver from Santa Rosa, California (where Canine Companions breeding program is headquartered) via United Airlines October 3, 2013. He's the ninth puppy we've raised for Canine Companions.

Meryl came from Great Dane Rescue at a year of age. Her previous family had a change in circumstances so they couldn't keep her, but we are very glad she came to live with us! There's a chapter in the book with one of Penny Blankenship's hilarious illustrations, showing how Santa brought her to our house.

Mina was at the Colorado Humane Association with her two sisters. We were looking for a medium or big dog as a playmate for Madeleine the Greyhound, but Mina was just too cute to pass up. Mina chose us, as so often happens. When we sat down with the three sisters in a visiting room, Mina came over to me, put her paws on my lap, looked into my eyes and I knew she was coming home with us. She is all of 23 pounds but she's the boss of the house.

Please tell us about your new book and Canine Companions for Independence.

Let the Dogs Speak! tells what it's like to be a puppy in training, from the dog's point of view. It's written by four of our previous Canine Companions pups: Hudson, Parker, Ross and Mars. It is humorous, heartwarming and informative, and the illustrations are delightful. Canine Companions for Independence provides highly-trained assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities other than blindness, free of charge. Their motto is "Help is a four-legged word." Canine Companions trains four types of Assistance Dogs: Service Dogs, Skilled Companions, Hearing Dogs and Facility Dogs.

Squirrel, postman, cat....?

Mina is our ferocious hunter, despite my best efforts to convince her to live and let live. She occasionally kills snakes, squirrels and birds in our back yard, and would like to take on the foxes and raccoons that wander through the neighborhood, She cannot understand why the postman persists in coming to our house, since she hurls curses at him Every. Single. Day.

Jeb [with Diddums, photo left] loves all beings, including our two kitties. Everyone and everything is his friend, especially if there's a cookie involved.

Meryl loves our kitties and barks hello! at everything else. Meryl would only kill something accidentally, either by stepping on it or with her whip-like tail. She has given me a black eye with that tail! Meryl wants to greet and/or play with everyone. I'm not sure our postman is convinced of that, however. He flinches when she grins and barks at him.

Who are your dogs' best pet-pals?

Jeb's best friend is whoever wants to play with him. We have frequent play dates with other CCI puppies and grad dogs, so he has lots of friends, including Chisum, Lionel, Kindle, Pilar, Pella, Hughy, Charlie, Waffle, and Palima. Don't you love those CCI names?

Meryl's best pet-pals are Mina, whoever our current puppy in training is, and Diddums, who loves to snuggle with (and often on) her.

[photo right: Dewey]

Mina's best pet-pal is Meryl. She mostly tolerates the foolish puppies in training, teaching them manners and boundaries. She generally ignores the cats.

What is each dog's best quality?

Jeb is cheerful, playful and adores little kids. Meryl is happy and silly - she makes us laugh a lot. Mina is bossy, focused and endearing.

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

Hmmmm, I'm guessing Mina and Meryl want me to stop reprimanding them for barking at the people passing by the house. "Just let us bark - it's our job!" they say. "Yeah, but Meryl's bark rattles the windows and Mina's is ear-piercing," I grumble. It's an on-going discussion at our house.

Jeb wants me to stop making him wear his detested Gentle Leader head collar, to which I say, "Sorry, Jebbity. You need to learn to walk on a loose leash and learn impulse control." This is another on-going topic of discussion. *sigh*

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

Meryl - Ellen DeGeneris
Mina - Holly Hunter
Jeb - Jordan Nagai (the kid in Up)
Dewey - Rhys Ifans
Diddums - Colin Firth

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

Ah well, you see, in my spare time I provide services as a professional animal communicator, so animals (mine and others) actually do talk to me. No, really. I know it sounds wacky, but it's true. That's probably a whole different interview.

Visit the Telling Tails website and read more about Let the Dogs Speak! Puppies in Training Tell the Story of Canine Companions for Independence.

--Marshal Zeringue