Sung J. Woo & Koda

Who is in the photo at right?

The canine in the photo is Koda, a two-year-old male whippet. Our previous dog was a German shepherd (Ginny), and I still can't quite get over how different Koda is in comparison to Ginny. Sometimes I think Koda is a cat...! A working breed he is not.

The guy holding the dog is me. My name is Sung J. Woo, and I'm a novelist, though I have written a handful of personal essays for outlets like The New York Times and Vox.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I take Koda for his morning walk every morning. It's a mile around our neighborhood park, about twenty minutes. And when I get back, after making his breakfast (which includes heating up half a cup of water to pour over his kibble), I click on the little coffee machine.

What's brewing?

I was not a daily coffee drinker until my wife gifted me a little Breville Nespresso Pixie. Before this coffee maker came into my life, I drank coffee when I traveled but never at home. It always seemed like such a hassle, but the Nespresso pods make it very easy. For forty seconds, I nuke a splash of almond creamer and a splash of soy milk in my mug. With my lactose intolerance, I'm very glad many supermarket shelves are devoted to non-dairy creamers. Anyway, a button press and a screech later, I have a wonderful longo-sized cup of joe. My favorite pod is Peets, but as long as the casing is aluminum, I'm happy. I do recycle those!

Any treats for you or Koda on this occasion?

Nothing special. Koda's treat is his breakfast; mine is this slightly sweet and bitter brown liquid. Even though I try to slow down with my cup, I slurp it down just as fast as Koda inhales his meal.

How were you and Koda united?

After Ginny passed, I didn't want another dog. Her passing was so intensely sad that I really did not want to experience it again. But then time passed, and my wife and I looked around a bit, and there happened to be this whippet breeder not even ten minutes from our house. And like Hemingway's quote about bankruptcy, it all happened gradually, and then suddenly.

How did your dog get his name? Any aliases?

On a visit to the breeder prior to bringing him home, we saw a black bear by the side of the road. Naming him Bear seemed too simple, so then we went on the internet, and we found a movie we've never seen: Brother Bear. It's an animated film, and one of the main characters is named Koda. It's Native American (Sioux) for "friend" or "ally," which was exactly what we were hoping he would be when he came into our lives.

Does Koda do more to help or hinder your writing?

I think it might be dead even. He helps because in my morning walks, which I never did with Ginny, I often find my mind wandering about whatever I'm working on. A wandering mind is fast becoming a rare occurrence nowadays, when we have so much entertainment (podcasts, ebooks, internet, etc.) at our fingertips at all times. So the walks definitely help. But Koda also takes up a significant part of my attention -- letting him out, boarding him when we're away, vet visits...etc. He's not a difficult dog to have around, and most of the time I'm upstairs with the cats while my wife is with him downstairs, so I'm probably casting undeserved blame. Sorry, Koda!

Has Koda inspired you to create any fictional canines?

In my fourth novel, Deep Roots, I have a whippet named Mare who comes into the story; nothing too involved, kind of like Koda himself. Here's the introductory sentence: "If the Queen of England saw what Her Majesty’s Charters

looked like, she would not be a fan. She may even have the palace guards tear down the signage, for it featured a dog in a tiara."

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

We are still attempting to acclimate him to our two cats; it's a work in progress. Koda loves people so if he did see the mail carrier (our mailbox is out of sight from him), he'd probably fall right in love. Squirrels, on the other hand...and rabbits and groundhogs...though nothing sets him off like deer.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Koda likes really small stuffed animals (and tearing them apart, of course). We have been showered with many gifts, including a wood bone (shaped and tastes like wood) and a silent squeak toy that only dogs can hear.

Who is Koda's best pet-pal?

I'd say his best pet BFF is Cooper, a friend's dog. He spent an afternoon with him in their yard, and they became fast friends. Neither my wife nor I are social butterflies, so I'm afraid Koda doesn't get a huge amount of fellow canine socialization.

What is Koda's best quality?

He barks very rarely. He does have a rather strange howl-yowl combination that he employs when very excited or distressed, but by and large, he is a silent dog.

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

"Can you please be a bit more generous with the treats?"

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

"When you have that blank look about you, what are you thinking about?"

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

I wish for Michael Peña, but in reality, he's probably more aligned with David Hyde Pierce.

What advice would Koda give if asked?

"What's not to like?"

Visit Sung J. Woo's website.

Q&A with Sung J. Woo.

My Book, The Movie: Deep Roots.

The Page 69 Test: Deep Roots.

Writers Read: Sung J. Woo.

--Marshal Zeringue

Shanna Mahin & Riley

Who is in each of the photos at at the top of this Q & A?

I’m Shanna Mahin, the blonde one [just below, left], at least for now. My hair is a constant work in progress. I’m a writer, which means I spend a lot of time in my pajamas worrying about writing and not actually doing it.

The furry one is Riley. He’s a rescue, so I’m not entirely sure how old he is, but I’ve had him 13 years. Our best guess is that he’s part whippet and part terrier of some kind. The ears are kind of dingo-y, and he probably would eat your baby if he had the chance. Don’t be fooled by his sweet face.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Every day is “coffee with a canine” day at our house. I don’t actually drink coffee anymore, due to boring health reasons too unseemly to discuss in mixed company. But I get up and make myself green tea and a cup for my husband that perfumes the house, so at least I still have the smell. After he leaves for his grownup job, I feed Riley and we get back in bed together so my workday can begin.

What's brewing?

My mother-in-law gave us a Keurig right about the time I stopped drinking coffee. I think we’re using Trader Joe’s French roast in it right now. I’m much pickier than my husband is. When I drank coffee, it was fresh ground beans every morning. My tea is Republic of Tea Honey Ginseng. With stevia. Getting old is emotionally rewarding, but it’s hell on the body.

Any treats for you or Riley on this occasion?

Riley and I pretend we’re ascetic in the early morning. Just tea for me and kibble for him. It all blows apart by lunch time, when he gets chicken jerky and I share bits of my bacon and avocado sandwich with him.

How were you and Riley united?

Short version: Before Riley, I had an Italian greyhound named Ruby, who was eaten by a particularly wily coyote at my employer’s house in the Hollywood Hills. (That’s where the story would get long if I let it.) After a few months, I had a rescue group looking for another Italian greyhound and I got a call that they found one at a high-kill shelter 40 miles from my house. I drove out there at 5:30 a.m. the next day and there was Riley. Emaciated, angry, frightened, and not even close to being an Italian greyhound. They were keeping him in with the big dogs because he was bullying the little ones. He weighed 19 pounds and was unneutered. They said he was a puppy, but it turned out later he was probably more like two years old. When they brought him out of the cage, he hugged the wall like a felon in a prison hallway. Even though he wasn’t “the dog I wanted,” I decided to take him and find a home for him. It took about three days before he completely owned me.

How did your dog get his name? Any aliases?

He just looked like a Riley. Oh, god, he has SO many aliases: Squib, Curly Sue, Curly Bean, Snout, Baby Snout, The Doggle, Ghostfaced Killah, Buggle, Boogle, Pippi Dogstocking, Dogzilla, Fuzzbucket, Biter Box, The Lump, Biscuit, Sweet Pea. I could go on for pages, and I’m even leaving out the really humiliating ones.

Does Riley do more to help or hinder your writing?

I’m not sure I could have finished a book without Riley. He sleeps on my feet all day while I wrangle words onto the page, coaxes me out into the world so I don’t become completely reclusive and feral, doesn’t judge me while I rant and sob into his fur. He’s in his golden years now, and I honestly have no idea what I’m going to do when he’s gone.

How much have actual dogs inspired fictional dogs in your published work?

The Weimeraner in my book bears a striking resemblance to a Weimeraner I once knew. Riley hasn’t shown up in my work yet, but trust me, it’s coming. I’m a huge fan of several dog-related books which are aspirational to me, including: Garth Stein’s The Art of Racing in the Rain, Carolyn Parkhurst’s The Dogs of Babel, and Ron Koertge’s Strays.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

He’s oddly unmoved by birds and squirrels, and he’s not particularly interested in most cats when we’re out walking. But there’s a gray cat who taunts him by walking along the awning of our neighbor’s house. He will wake from a dead sleep and leap from the bed to the patio in a single bound to make his frustration known. Anyone delivering anything (postman, UPS, Fed Ex, DHL, even the pizza guy) is most unwelcome in our house. We have to lock him in another room before we open the door. And if we’re out walking, he can spot a delivery person at 50 feet, even though he’s practically blind at this point.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

It’s all about the rope. We live in a very small condo, but we can get a good game of hide-and-seek going, wherein I throw the rope and my husband hides. There are literally only 4 places to go, and Riley is exhilarated and baffled every single time.

Who is Riley's best pet-pal?

He’s slow to warm up to new pals, but he does have a long distance love affair with a pitbull named Buddy in Los Angeles.

What is Riley's best quality?

His unwavering enthusiasm for life’s simple pleasures. Every meal is exciting; every time we come home, he’s beyond thrilled to see us. Every treat is as appreciated as the ones that came before it.

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

My stinginess with people food.

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

Tell me where it hurts, sweetheart.

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

It’s a toss-up between Jack Nicholson and Nathan Lane.

What advice would Riley give if asked?

Just relax. Sometimes doing nothing is the best course of action. Why don’t you take a nap and then see how you feel?

Visit Shanna Mahin's website, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

--Marshal Zeringue

Lauren & Claire

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm Lauren, a medical social worker and pet lifestyle photographer. Next to me is the love of my life: Claire, a lab/whippet mix and therapy dog extraordinaire. To put it simply, we are the very best of friends.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Currently, I'm at my favorite cafe (The Well in Green Hills, Nashville TN). Unfortunately, Claire has been pretty sick for the past week, so she's at home resting up instead of spending this morning running errands around town with me. I'm hoping that she'll be feeling well enough when I get home to go for a walk, but we shall see!

What's brewing?

I'm drinking a hot cranberry apple cider which is amazing. But the girl sitting across from me is drinking an iced cocoa cream freeze with whipped cream... so I think I'll be grabbing one of those before I leave!

Any treats for you or Claire on this occasion?

I'm snacking on a vegan oatmeal apricot muffin. Poor Claire can't keep anything down lately with whatever bug she's caught, so no treats for her until she's all better! But usually, her special Saturday snack is a raw frozen marrow bone. It brings her hours of happiness - she's easy to please!

How did Claire get her name? Any nicknames?

Claire already had her name when I adopted her as a puppy, and it fits her perfectly! I couldn't dream of changing it once I got to know her personality!

As for nicknames, she responds to "Baby" just as quickly as she responds to "Claire." Her full name is Claire Baby Butterworth because the top of her head always smells like maple syrup.

How were you and Claire united?

I did not grow up with pets, but I'd always wanted a dog. A week after I moved to Nashville in 2009, I decided that it was time. I went to the Nashville Humane Society to ask some general questions about adopting a dog, and then Claire found me and chose me. For the whole sweet story, read about it here.

Who are Claire's best pet-pals?

Claire is funny when it comes to other dogs. She goes to day care (or "school" as we call it) three days per week and has a ton of friends there. We recently stopped going to the dog park because it started becoming a source of stress for Claire, so we now have to schedule play dates with her very best friends, Tucker (golden/aussie/setter), Chase (a golden/dingo), and Rylee (husky/shepherd). Her friend Asya (beagle/hound) moved away last year, and I hope they can be reunited soon!

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

Claire loves her stuffies - though after a few months of snuggling with them, she rips them to shreds. As she gets older, I find that she enjoys tennis balls more and more.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Squirrels and rabbits. The girl's got quite a prey drive! She has both a fascination and fear of cats.

What is Claire's best quality?

Oh there are just so many! She is so sweet but she has a mischievous side too. She is hilarious and makes me laugh all the time. She loves to explore. She hates when people are sad; whenever someone is crying, she stops whatever she's doing and goes right over to them to give them some love and make them smile.

If Claire could change one thing about Tennesseans, what would it be?

She would probably want them to get better about obeying leash laws. Claire is a little reactive when she's on a leash, so when off-leash dogs run right up to her and get in her face, she gets really spooked. On the other hand, perhaps she'd want everyone to let their dogs off-leash so that she could be off-leash too!

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

Rachel McAdams. Because she is awesome. Only the best for Claire!

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

"Do you know how much I love you?" I ask her that all the time, so it would be nice to finally get an answer to go along with that tail-wag!

For more about Claire's adventures, visit the Life with Claire blog, on Twitter at @LaurenFerzoco, or on Facebook!

--Marshal Zeringue

Lia Weber & Elli

Who is in the photo at right?

My name is Lia Weber and I’m the human in the picture. I am a dog trainer and the assistant to another dog trainer in Portland. The little spotted one in the picture is Elli, who, I believe, is a Dalmatian/APBT/Whippet mix and the best partner I’ve ever known. She makes me look like a top-notch trainer (most of the time).

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

Sorry, I’m not a coffee-drinker. Hot cocoa with either almond mylk or coconut milk every AM, though! Elli’s curled up between my knees, waiting for her day to begin.

Any treats for you or Elli on this occasion?

Not at the moment – but we’ll get started later today with her training. Training happens every AM and PM.

How did Elli get her name? Any aliases?

Elli was named before I knew her. I saw her online and started thinking up names almost immediately – she was absolutely going to be mine, so I named her. I chose Ellipses as her full name; as a former English major, I know the names of obscure punctuation marks – an ellipses is “...” . Elli just so happens to have a similar pattern on her left rib.

She gets a new nickname every day, but mostly she’s referred to by one of the following: Elli-Belle, Elli-Boo, Shoo, Shugs (short for Sugar), or Little Lady. Out on the town and off-leash, she goes by Boobear.

How were you and Elli united?

After deciding that I wanted to be a trainer and realizing that I’d probably need a dog, I went on the hunt. I found her online after being disappointed by several other puppies – they all got snatched up so quickly. I wanted a Dalmatian for what seemed like ages... forgot about it for a long time, decided to be a trainer, then she showed up, and I adopted her the next morning.

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

Elli loves all off-leash activities, like visits to the beach, Sandy River Delta and dog parks/soccer fields.

Squirrel, postman, cat...?

Cat. Definitely cat. One particular cat in our home has made her life very cat-focused. If she sees one, she immediately tries to greet nose-to-nose, if they run, she chases. She’s also quite fond of attacking feet/hands under the covers. If you move, she pounces and usually ends up with a mouthful of blanket, though I allow her a few chomps here and there, so long as she’s gentle.

Squeaky-top, ball, Frisbee...?

Flirt pole (like a large cat-toy made for dogs) antics are becoming extremely awesome to her (she tried to climb the piano this week to reach it, haha) and her all-time favorite Good Other Cuz ball.

What is Elli's best quality?

Her intelligence/eagerness to work.

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

It would be... My inability to control my emotions when not directed at her. I think that makes sense. Basically, she gets extremely upset if I am upset at anything or anyone. She just wants me to be happy all the day long, like she is.

What is Elli's proudest moment?

Elli, my dad and I were out hiking sand dunes one beautiful day last summer in Florence, OR and I had her off-leash. She disappeared while I talked to my dad for a while. After a few minutes, I decided that it’d be a good time to check her understanding of her whistle-recall. I gave the 3-blast cue and waited... and waited and waited. I fought the urge to repeat the cue. A few seconds later, she’s hurling herself up the side of the dune we were standing on with something in her mouth – she comes right back to me and drops it at my feet: a dried up turd. How nice of you, darling.

If Hollywood had made a movie last year about your life in which Elli could speak, which actor should do her voice?

I keep imagining Elli with a British accent, with a really precious laugh because she would laugh a lot. I’m thinking Emma Watson.

Learn more about Elli at the Identity: V+ E blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Gerry Bartlett & Jet

Gerry Bartlett, in the photo at right I recognize you and Jet from the last time you appeared here on the blog.

Back then you were drinking diet soda and eating a fruit and granola bar, and Jet was enjoying Liv-a-Snaps treats. What's new, and what are feasting on today in celebration of your latest Glory St. Clair, Real Vampires book?

Jet and I are very happy that I have a new book out—Real Vampires Don’t Wear Size Six. It hit the bestseller list at Barnes & Nobles and earned him a bag of new chews. He’s eating it inside since it’s been over a hundred degrees outside every day for the last few weeks. He’s sticking close to me these days since I went on a two-week vacation and left him at home with only his Aunt Jackie for company. Yes, she spoils him, but he was not happy that I wasn’t here for him. He knocked over the plant by the front door and the day before I came home he did something disgraceful to the Oriental rug in my hall. Bad dog!

Glory has a canine bodyguard/shapeshifter named Valdez: does he figure prominently in the new book?

Valdez was my main character Glory’s dog, a shape-shifter, for the beginning of my series but now he’s shifted back into human form and has become one of her love interests. Yes, that’s a big change. I have some regrets about making that happen. Rafael Valdez was a great comic character as long as he was her doggie sidekick. Now he’s an intense Latin lover type. Still faithful, but macho. What can I say? Our dogs are much easier to handle. Right, Jet? Oops, he’s heading for the hall rug again.

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

If Jet could change one thing about me, it would be to make me stay home more. Between my shopping for my antiques business and my love of travel, I’m not sticking around the house much these days. He really likes it when I am chained to the computer. But with my netbook handy, I can write anywhere. If he wasn’t such a fast runner and a nervous pup, I could take him with me more places, but he’s too big and actually uneasy around strangers. Luckily I do have an elderly aunt who likes to keep an eye on him when I’m gone.

Finally, I think Jet would like everyone who reads this to know that he was a rescue dog. Yep, a lady who raised him from a pup had to give him up because of her illness. He landed in a loving home. He was lucky. He hopes that anyone who needs a pet will look at a shelter before they buy an animal. He’s a purebred whippet with papers, fixed of course, but that’s okay. He’s come to terms with it. He just hates to think of all those dogs and cats out there who need homes and might be, gulp, euthanized. Okay, off the soapbox now.

Visit Gerry Bartlet's website and blog.

Coffee with a Canine: Gerry Bartlett & Jet (November 2009).

The Page 69 Test: Real Vampires Have More to Love.

Writers Read: Gerry Bartlett (December 2010).

My Book, The Movie: Real Vampires Have More to Love.

Writers Read: Gerry Bartlett.

--Marshal Zeringue

Tena Parker & Shayne and Rio

Who is in the photo at right?

I’m Tena Parker and the dog in the photo is Shayne, my 5.5 year old female Border Collie mix.

Rio, my 1.5yr old Australian Cattle Dog/Whippet, is the subject of the photo below left.

I have a Master’s in Education and was working with a non-profit when the economy crashed and I was laid off—this, to me, was a sign to take my career in a new direction so off I went. I am a dog trainer, a (mostly) dog blogger, an amateur photographer, and lastly (I think), I am the Tena behind Tugs by Tena Etsy store.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Anytime I get a chance to have a relaxing picnic lunch with my dogs I leap at the chance. Since it’s a reasonably nice day (no rain or storms) I figured it was a good day to take advantage of with a picnic.

What's brewing?

Shhh, it’s a secret (though not really), but I’m not a coffee drinker. I rarely even drink tea but, in honor of the blog, I opted to make some fresh brewed Lipton’s Iced Tea (see, I’m low maintenance) to take with me for lunch.

Any treat for you and your dogs on this occasion?

Yep, I have a nice peanut butter and banana sandwich and an apple for lunch.

How were you and your dogs united?

I’d been looking for a dog for a year since losing my previous dog to a very fast moving cancer when I found Shayne in my local shelter. She was 10 months old and an abuse neglect case who was significantly under weight, really under socialized, generally scared of the world, and a really anxious dog.

Rio was adopted from a rescue in NJ when he was 4 months old. He was probably from an unwanted litter, no trauma or sad past for him.

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

My female dogs tend to have androgynous names and I heard of a female character on a T.V. show with the name Shane and I really liked it. When I got Shayne I had a list of five names and waited to see what suited her personality and Shayne won. Shayne is also known as Shayney, Shay, RED dawg, and Shayn-iac.

Rio… well he is named after the navy abbreviation R.I.O or radar intercept officer. This is the person in the backseat of older two-seater fighter planes. The RIO was crucial to the safety of the plane and the mission. They were not necessarily in charge of the flight of the plane but the input of the RIO was crucial and at times dictated the direction of the plane. That is sort of how I view my relationship with my dogs… I’m normally the one in charge of where we are going and what we are doing but the input of the dogs is crucial and will sometimes dictate the direction we take. Rio is also known as Ri or Ri-monster.

What inspired you to make and sell tug toys and leashes?

Shayne is a monster on toys. There are very few toys that survive more than a few days and it became ridiculously expensive. I like using tug-toys in my training but she destroyed commercially available fleece tug toys left and right so I wanted a much more durable product for her to play with. I made some for myself and in sharing photos and giving them as gifts I began to get orders for toys … and so Tugs by Tena was created.

Cat, squirrel, postman...?

Rio: Squirrel… no joke that word is considered a cuss word in our house because if it’s said, even in passing, Rio will run to every window in the house searching for squirrels (and in the process pull down curtains).

Shayne: hands down the UPS truck/person, she gets so riled up when they try to deliver anything.

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

They are toy obsessed in general… so tennis balls, squeaky toys, puzzle toys… all their favorites.

Where is your dogs' favorite place for an outing?

A friend of the family has a large property where I am allowed to bring the dogs to be off-leash and play. They love this place. They can race through fields, chase squirrels in the orchard, they can scent out deer or turkey, Rio loves to roll in coyote poop, they can scent out gopher holes (and then stick their heads in them) and run through the crop fields.

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

They would probably long for me to have their same unending energy… after a 3hr hike I’m tired and they are ready to keep going.

What is each dog's proudest moment? Most embarrassing?

Shayne’s proudest moment… well, I’d say my most proud moment of Shayne was the day I realized that she is no longer the terrified, anxious, tentative dog I adopted 4 years ago…that she’s, for the most part, a normal confident dog who can go anywhere and interact with anyone safely.

Most embarrassing for me (with regards to Shayne) was probably when we were doing a frisbee demo show in CT and she did a back vault (jump off my back) and I lost my balance and basically fell over!

Rio’s proudest moment happened recently. We were at the farm a few weeks ago and Rio was about 50 yards in front of me as we crested this hill, when I finally got to the top I saw Rio about 200yards away chasing deer into the woods. I recalled him and he turned on a dime and came flying back.

Rio … he’s so confident and sure of himself, I’m not sure he has ever done anything to embarrass himself and he, knock on wood, hasn’t really embarrassed me … yet.

Visit the Success Just Clicks blog and the Tugs by Tena Etsy store.

--Marshal Zeringue

Kristine Tonks & Shiva

Who is in the photo at right?

My name is Kristine. My day job is at a non-profit organization but what I really love to do is eat cheese, read pretentious novels, and post photos of my dog on the Internet. It's too bad I have yet to find a way to get paid for the latter but I'm working on it! My dog's name is Shiva. She is around two and a half years old. I say around because we're just going off the basic information the SPCA gave us. We have no idea what breed she is but I love hearing other people's opinions! One of the popular search terms for my blog is "merle jack russell whippet mix." It's a little long but I like it.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I took the day off work to do a little Christmas shopping. Now that I'm home from fighting the hordes at the mall, it is refreshing to spend some time relaxing with the puppers in our cozy living room.

What's brewing?

Actually, my mug is filled with tea instead of coffee. I'm trying to get in the spirit by drinking a Christmas blend from my favourite tea brewery in Mahone Bay, NS. It's helping ward off the cold rain outside that's for sure.

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

I bought some chicken livers for Shiva at the mall but nothing for me. Yet.

How were you and Shiva united?

It is all because of petfinder.com. Before we adopted her, I was pretty obsessed with getting a dog. It had been a long time since I'd lived with one and while I love our cat, I really missed the companionship of an energetic canine. I started checking Petfinder religiously, like six or seven times a day, just to see if there were any new dogs available in our area that would suit our lifestyle. We were already pre-approved for adoption at the NS SPCA. It was just a matter of finding the dog for us. I wanted a dog that was house-trained and that would have some energy. At the time I was looking for a great walking and hiking companion. If only I knew what I was in for! It was the evening of Good Friday back in 2008 that Shiva's photo appeared on the screen. She was all legs and spots and I suggested to my husband that we should go to meet her the next day. My husband fell in love with her right away. I tend to be more cautious and was a little unsure as her energy levels seemed a tad over what I expected. She literally pulled me across the parking lot, bouncing instead of walking. I knew she was going to be a lot of work. But there was another couple there who wanted to meet her at the same time. The pressure of having to make a quick decision or lose the chance forever, was what made me give in.

We know very little about Shiva's life before the shelter. Just that she was found wandering alone by the man who brought her to the SPCA inside a cat carrier. Since she has been living with us for a lot longer than she was on the street, we like to say that time of her life doesn't count any more.

How did Shiva get her name? Any aliases?

The SPCA had named her Tessa and while that was a sweet little name we wanted to give her something completely new. We spent over a week writing a list of different options. We just wrote down every possible name we could think of and then went through and eliminated each one. For some reason Shiva stood out the most. It suits her; I couldn't think of calling her anything else now.

Cat, squirrel, postman...?

Cat, definitely the Cat. Luckily, he's been around a lot longer than Shiva and has no trouble putting her in her place if need be. She also loves chasing birds. Especially the poor ducks that live in the lake in our backyard.

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

Shiva loves them all! When we first adopted her, she seemed to have very little interest in toys. We couldn't even inspire her to chew on a bone. After we stuffed a Kong for her, she suddenly found the joy that can be gained from destroying things. There was no going back. No stuffed animal is safe any more.

Where is Shiva's favorite place for an outing?

There is a dog park not too far away with dozens of off-leash hiking trails and a whole beach area designed just for dogs. This is one of my favourite places to take her as she gets to run and run and run as much as she could ever desire. Since we don't have a fenced backyard, she doesn't get to relieve her zoomies nearly as often as I'd like. Nearly every time we go she is able to meet another dog who appreciates the thrill of the chase as much as Shiva does. It is an amazing thing to see.

Who are Shiva's best pet-pals?

Shiva has a few friends at agility class. There is a Bernese Mountain Dog named Jenna who is kind of her go-to gal when other dogs tell her off for being to wild. And a Shiba-Inu mix named Robin who has a similar energy level. They play really nicely together and we're hoping to meet up with him outside of class one day. There is also Toffee the Sheltie, who is her sometimes-friend, sometimes-nemesis for agility points.

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

I'm pretty sure she thinks I spend way too much time on the computer. Time that could be better spent going into the treat cupboard or playing a game of tug.

What is Shiva's proudest moment? Most embarrassing?

This is a hilarious question! Those who know Shiva know she is insane. She does everything at top speed - there is no middle ground. She is also super smart and picks up on new behaviours too fast for my liking sometimes. I'm sure Shiva's idea of her proudest moment was when she figured out she could turn the trick of walking on her hind legs to her advantage. If I had known teaching her that would turn her into a counter-surfer extraordinaire, I may have reconsidered!

In my opinion, however, Shiva's proudest moment was just a few weeks ago when we went to the bookstore to get her photo taken with Santa. As she can still be a little stressed around strangers I wasn't sure how the day would go. At the first sign of reactivity I was ready to bolt. However, not only did she sit on Santa's lap but she also sought out attention from the staff and other dog owners. She is so brave and I felt so proud to see how far she has come in the last year.

As a hyper-active klutz, one can imagine Shiva would have a lot of embarrassing moments to reflect on. She is constantly crashing into things and knocking stuff over. However, one of my favourite stories is about the day after we brought her home. I returned from work to find Shiva's crate empty. Naturally I panicked. Thinking she had somehow escaped or that the neighbours had gotten fed up with her yelping and carted her away, I called my husband to make sure she wasn't with him. That was when I heard a soft whine coming from the down stairs. When I headed down to investigate I found our cat sitting in the hallway licking his paws as if nothing abnormal was going on. I turned to look in the direction of the whining and that's when I found my new dog. Shiva was cowering in the bathroom between the toilet and the wall. The cat had obviously had chased her there when she got loose from her crate and was making sure she stayed put. If I hadn't of been so worried and if she hadn't of looked so pathetic, I could have laughed. Poor little fifty-pound puppy, trapped by a fuzzy eight-pound cat. What would her old friends back at the shelter say if they found out?

Learn more about Kristine and Shiva at the Rescued Insanity blog.

--Marshal Zeringue

Gerry Bartlett & Jet

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm Gerry Bartlett, author of the Glory St. Clair, Real Vampires series for Berkley Publishing. I'm working on book 6 of the series now. Book 5, Real Vampires Hate Their Thighs, comes out this February. Book 3, Real Vampires Get Lucky, is a November release in mass market form. I enjoy writing paranormal comedy and have given Glory a canine bodyguard/shapeshifter named Valdez. This was inspired by my love of dogs and I always have at least one. Pictured with me is Jet, my rescue Whippet. He's a neutered male, age 6, who is a sweetheart.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Jet enjoys waking me up every morning and watching me get the newspaper then settling down with that and my Diet Dr. Pepper.

What's brewing?

I've never been a coffee drinker for some reason. It's strictly diet soda for me.

Any goodies to go with the beverage?

I usually have a fruit and nut granola bar.

Any treat for Jet on this occasion?

Jet likes Liv-a-Snaps treats.

How did your dog come to be united with you?

Jet's former owner had rescued him but then got cancer and could no longer keep him. We were happy to get him through Whippet Rescue.

How did he get his name?

He is a wonderfully fast runner, like a jet airplane.

Does he have any influence on your writing?

I've always been an animal lover and any person who would hurt a defenseless animal is a villain in my book. I use that when I write. Also, our pets are a great comfort and will defend us. I incorporate those qualities when I write my stories and usually include an animal.

Is Jet is the inspiration for Glory St. Clair's dog, Valdez?

Valdez is actually named after my brother's late Labradoodle. He was a wonderful dog, very intelligent and loyal. Valdez in my books is a shapeshifter who is usually in dog form and who would die rather than see Glory hurt. I think dogs have that same kind of loyalty and protectiveness.

What's an ordinary day like for Jet?

Jet is my alarm clock, getting me up to let him out then starting his day in the back yard before settling on the den couch. If I'm writing, he's on his dog bed near me in my office. Of course any time I'm in the kitchen, he's got to investigate the "action."

Do you and Jet have a favorite place to go for walk?

He plays in our backyard and walks are around the block in our neighborhood.

Stick, tennis ball, frisbee...?

He has a "baby," a stuffed animal that squeaks and likes to chase it or carry it around in his mouth. It's also his signal when he wants to go out. He doesn't bark unless there's big trouble.

Squirrel, cat, postman...?

No squirrels or cats are welcome in our backyard. We have a big oak tree and he makes sure intruders are chased away from the area.

What's Jet's best quality?

Jet is very attached to me and excited to greet me when I come home. It's a great feeling to be welcomed that way.

What's his proudest moment so far? His most embarrassing?

Jet is wonderful at lure coursing, chasing the fake bunny (a plastic bag) around the course. Too bad for him that since my husband passed away I won't drive the fifty miles (100 round trip) it takes to do this Little League for dogs.

His most embarrassing thing is that my husband was really into flyball with our late dog, Belle, who is featured with me on the inside back cover of some of my books before she died from cancer. She was the only Bedlington Terrier in the U.S. to ever achieve Champion Flyball status. John got Jet planning to train him to do flyball since Belle was almost blind and very old. Unfortunately, Jet didn't have any interest in a ball. He still won't chase a ball or even pick one up. They practiced for hours but Jet never got the hang of flyball, though he was certainly fast enough to have been an asset for our team.

Any last thoughts?

I am dedicating my next book to my stepdaughter Kathy Bartlett who spends every weekend at our local pound trying to save homeless animals from being euthanized. She also takes in sick animals and nurses them back to health so they can be adopted. She's an angel and there are so many selfless people like her all over the world who work without publicity to save neglected and abused animals. I wish more people would make sure, like Bob Barker always said on The Price Is Right, that their pets were spayed and neutered. There's no greater comfort than a sweet dog by your side. I've never understood how people could just dump a puppy out on the side of the road. One of my vampires would rip out the throat of a demon like that. Oops, better get off this soap box. Thanks for letting me spout off.

Learn more about Gerry Bartlett and her writing at www.gerrybartlett.com, her MySpace page, and the Glory St. Clair Fansite.

--Marshal Zeringue