SJ Goslee & Chewy and Guster

Who is in the photo at right?

Hi, I’m SJ Goslee, and I write books in the dead of night (most recently Whatever) and work on web sites by day. These two goofballs are Chewy & Guster. Chewy, our girl, is a rat terrier mix and is 10 years old. Guster, our boy, is a cane corso, and is only 4.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

A typical weekend morning, Chewy has to be on or near me if I’m sitting down, and Guster likes to hover, jealous that he’s too big to be a lap dog.

What's brewing?

Black and burning hot, I’m on a Starbucks’ Pike Place Roast kick right now.

Any treats for you or Chewy and Guster on this occasion?

No treats! Sometimes I like something sweet with my coffee, but I rarely get to sit for more than five minutes at a time in the morning with kids and five animals in the house. Chewy and Gus only get treats when Poppy comes around!

How were you and your dogs united?

We were actually puppy-sitting Chewy for a friend who had rescued her from a neighbor nearly 10 years ago and fell in love with her. We asked if we could keep her and she’s been by my side (and under my covers) ever since. Guster came along the same year we had my oldest son. We thought it would be neat to have them grow up together.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

Chewy came to us with her name—we usually end up calling her “Chew-Chew”, or “Chew-bird”, or “Hey Jerky.” Guster’s official registered name is actually Burton Guster (after the Psych character), but mostly he’s just “Gus” or “Yuck Mouth.”

Do Chewy and Guster do more to help or hinder your writing?

Hinder—especially if I’m home alone, they just can’t stand not having attention!

Have your dogs inspired the creation of any fictional dogs?

As of yet, no, but I’m sure it’s just a matter of time.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

…cars, knocks at the door, books dropping, basically anything that makes a noise sets Chewy off, and then Gus automatically barks to help her out, even if he has no idea what’s going on.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Antlers, mainly, but if you give them a stuffed squeaky toy it’ll be torn apart in five minutes or less.

Who are Chewy and Guster's best pet-pals?

Chewy will only cuddle with Gus or our oldest cat, Maude—we got her maybe three months before Chewy. Gus likes our youngest cat, Mildred, because she tolerates getting slobbered on.

What is each dog's best quality?

Chewy is a snuggler, she sleeps every night along my side, not sure if I could sleep without her now! Gus is a big doofus, and all he wants are pets.

If Chewy and Guster could change one thing about Pennsylvanians, what would it be?

Everyone should carry lunch meat with them everywhere. That should be a thing.

If Chewy and Guster could answer only one question in English, what would you ask them?

What the heck is living in the bushes that you’re so intent on getting?

If Hollywood made a movie about your life in which Chewy and Guster could speak, who should voice them?

Chewy: Kristen Wiig.
Guster: Vin Diesel.

What advice would your dogs give if asked?

Watch out for those striped black and white cat things, they stink.

Visit S.J. Goslee's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Maria T. Lennon & Frida

Who is in the photo at right?

My name is Maria T. Lennon. I write middle grade fiction the latest is Confessions of a So-called Middle Child just out from Harper Collins. My dog’s name is Frida; she’s a Cane Corso from Alba, Italy and she’s almost 2 years old.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Frida waits for me to get up each morning at 5:45. It’s dark. She usually trips me as I’m walking down the stairs to get to her food bowl before I can make it to my coffee machine. She drools all over my bare feet until I give up on the coffee and get her food. So it’s no coffee before Frida is fed.

What's brewing?

I love Folgers. I know people think I’m gross. My husband is from Italy and it’s practically heresy. But Frida judges not.

Any treats for you or Frida on this occasion?

Frida gets a heavy-duty chewing treat when I leave at seven so that she doesn’t rip the Jacuzzi cover apart. Again.

How were you and Frida united?

My mother-in-law’s dog had puppies in Italy (Frida is a Cane Corso) and so she sent us her favorite one to keep watch over her grandchildren. And she does.

How did Frida get her name?

After the great Frida Kahlo- of course.

Any aliases?

I have called her many names while she’s chewed my shoes, eye-glasses, Jacuzzi covers, remote controls….

Have any Frida-inspired dogs appeared in your books?

Nope.

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

She helps. I like having her in the house, hearing her nails on the floors, grabbing her when I’ve typed my last page. I love her.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Jacuzzi covers.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

She can find the squeak in seconds. I purchase the toy for $10 and bring it home. Within seconds, she sticks her canine tooth through the heart of the squeaky and that’s it. Game over. She’s a master.

Does Frida have a favorite place to go for outings?

She loves her walks in the canyons where she growls at every person, dog or floating leaf she sees.

Who is Frida's best pet-pal?

She loves the kids. She watches them as though they are in imminent danger and she is the only one who can stop it.

What is Frida's best quality?

She wants to be good. No, she is good.

If Frida could change one thing about Californians, what would it be?

She’d make it mandatory that all items had squeaks.

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

Why can’t you be nice on the leash?

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

Queen Latifa.

Visit the Confessions of a So-called Middle Child website, and follow Maria T. Lennon on Facebook and Twitter.

--Marshal Zeringue

Shannon & Rama

Who is in the photo at right?

My name is Shannon and I am a SAHM to 3 children and a host of critters. I am a former veterinary technician and obedience instructor. I love to write and compete with my dogs.

My dog’s name is Rama. She turned 15 months old on the 23rd of this month. She is a Cane Corso (pronounced kah-nay kor-soh).

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I have coffee with Rama every day here at home, after the older kids have gone to school and we have done our walk. We also frequent a local café on Saturday mornings after dog obedience class.

What's brewing?

Every morning and evening I have a large coffee from McDonald’s, one cream and eight Splendas. When we go out—usually after dog class on Saturdays-- it’s a Peppermint Mocha Latte with soy milk and no whipped cream.

Any treats for you or Rama on this occasion?

I usually have an omelette. By this time Rama has consumed a bunch of liver treats in class and shows no interest in what is on the table.

How did Rama get her name?

One day while watching my favorite soap opera, they introduced a beautiful character named Rama. I am also very interested in Hindu dieties and art. Rama is an incarnation of Vishnu—a Hindu diety celebrated for his unending compassion and courage. I immediately said to myself that my first Corso would be named Rama.

Any aliases?

Rama Mama, Rama Llama, Rama Llama Ding Dong, Pup-Pup, Puppy.

Please tell us a bit more about the Cane Corso breed and what attracted you to it.

The Cane Corso (also called Italian Mastiff) is descended from the Roman war dog canis pugnax. They are a leaner, more athletic dog than other mastiffs and can have either natural ears and tail or cropped. They were just accepted into the AKC last year and came to this country from Italy in the late 80’s.

I love molossers. I had Rottweilers for several years and am attracted to large, powerful guarding and working breeds. I am quite stubborn myself; I have been told that I attract dogs with the same qualities. I was attracted to the Corso’s reputation as a loving family dog and low key house dog.

How were you and Rama united?

I had been looking at a few different breeders for a show pup and found one whose dogs I liked. She happened to be near me so I went out to her place a few times to look at her dogs. About a week later she emailed me some photos of an older pup she had. Apparently a gentleman out of state had put a deposit on Rama and never showed to pick her up. She offered her to me. I took the kids back out to her place to visit with Rama. She was about 5 ½ months old, gentle, sweet and happy, immediately playing fetch with my middle child. She did not jump on the children and was very well behaved, not to mention beautiful. Her face reminded me of my very first Rottweiler in that there was a lot behind the eyes. I was sold. She went home with us that day.

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

She loves to walk around our neighborhood. We do about 3.5 miles every day. She also enjoys going to the beach.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

Nope. She is a very non-reactive dog. She is not overly barky and shows no interest in chasing squirrels or cats or anything, really.

Squeaky-toy, ball, stick...?

She does like sticks, legos (much to my chagrin) and squeaky toys.

What is Rama's best quality?

Her solid temperament.

Who is Rama's closest pet-pal?

Sadly, my other dogs (they are little) will not play with her so her closest pet-pal would probably be her litter sister Lily, whom she sees at shows and when we go to visit her breeder. She loves to play with her.

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

She would prefer I pet her constantly.

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

I envision her with the voice of a small child. Sort of like those Subway commercials where the adults have little kid voices.

Visit the Raising Rama blog and learn more about the Cane Corso breed.

--Marshal Zeringue