coffee with a canine

Who is in the photo at right?

This is a photo of me, Lincoln Mitchell, and Penny Lane at Purple Waves Cafe in Manhattan. I am a professor at Columbia University, kibitzer and writer. I live primarily in New York, but spend a fair amount of time in San Francisco, a city a write about quite a bit including in my new book Three Years Our Mayor: George Moscone and the Making of Modern San Francisco. I am also Penny Lane’s human. Penny Lane is a three-and-a-half-year-old goldendoodle. She is a wonderful and high energy beast.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I have a regular Friday afternoon with a group of friends. When the weather is nice and we can sit outside, Penny Lane joins us. In general, Penny Lane joins me in the neighborhood a lot, but her favorite place to go is campus, because the students love her.

What's brewing?

This is a very hot day, so I am drinking lemonade. Because of my work and my nature, I spend a lot of times in faces, but perhaps ironically, I do not drink coffee.

Any treats for you or Penny Lane on this occasion?

I am having a piece of lemon cake as well. I did not set out for such a lemony afternoon, but it turned out that way. Penny Lane usually gets treats before and after these outings, but she has water here.

How were you and Penny Lane united?

Because both my mother and my younger son, who is now an adult, both love dogs but are allergic to them, we needed to get a hypoallergenic dog. We got Penny Lane from a wonderful breeder in New Jersey called ChaChaDoodles.

How did your dog get her name? Any aliases?

Penny Lane is named after the Beatles song as you probably guessed by now, but I love the name because she is always in my ears and in my eyes. We sometimes call her PL. Some people call her Penny, but I think she prefers her full name-and I prefer to call her that.

Does Penny Lane do more to help or hinder your writing?

Penny Lane is a very good research assistant and is acknowledged for that in my new book. She sleeps on the job a lot and still has not learned to use a computer, but that is fine. When I have long days at home, taking her out for a walk is a great break.

Your new book is about a fascinating period in modern San Francisco history. Is San Francisco a very dog-friendly city?

San Francisco has become a very dog-friendly city. Penny Lane has visited San Francisco once when she was smaller, but she is now too big go on the plane with me. When I took her out there, people were very friendly to her including the parks and recreation people who work in the park where I took Penny Lane every morning. Penny Lane used to visit them when they were doing their morning stretches. Additionally, there are a lot of goldendoodles in San Francisco. I once saw a guy walking five goldendoodles there. I chatted with him, and he told me he was a dog walker who only walked goldendoodles. That struck me as very niche, but the man and the dogs all seemed happy.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Penny Lane has been friends with our postman since she was a puppy. They still greet each other very cheerfully when they see each other.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Penny Lane is obsessed with balls, but really anything I can throw. When we take our morning walk in Central Park she insists I throw the ball pretty much the whole time. Last fall I was watching a World Series game on television with Penny Lane. I think I threw the ball during that game more times than all the pitchers for the Yankees and Dodgers did.

Who is Penny Lane's best pet-pal?

Some of Penny Lane’s friends from when she was a puppy have moved away. I think her best canine friend now is Wrinkle. Wrinkle is also a goldendoodle but is about ten years older and is my sister-in-law’s family dog.

What is Penny Lane's best quality?

Penny Lane seems to have figured out that she is so cute and friendly that basically everybody likes her. She loves people and they mostly love her, so the more social situations I can take her to, the better.

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

I think I would ask Penny Lane the same question I said I would ask Isis [photo right], the dog I had before her, years ago. I would ask Penny Lane “Are you happy?” I would like to know if she is, and if not, what we can do to make her happier.

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

I think Lucille Ball would be great. She would bring the combination of goofiness, humor and intellect that Penny Lane has.

What advice would Penny Lane give if asked?

Penny Lane might tell me “Be here now.” I have always struggled to do that and Penny Lane, like most dogs, is much better at that than I am.

Visit Lincoln Mitchell's website.

Coffee with a Canine: Lincoln Mitchell & Isis.

The Page 99 Test: San Francisco Year Zero.

The Page 99 Test: The Giants and Their City.

The Page 99 Test: Three Years Our Mayor.

Writers Read: Lincoln A. Mitchell.

My Book, The Movie: Three Years Our Mayor.

--Marshal Zeringue

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm Elle Grawl and I'm the author of the psychological thriller One of Those Faces. In this photo, my dog Truffle (an 8-year-old shepherd mix) is in front of me.

My other dog, Olive (a 1-year-old Goldendoodle), isn't pictured here.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

As I write this, we're preparing to make a quick trip to a coffee shop before I need to head to the office for my day-job as a lawyer.

What's brewing?

I typically like to support the independent coffee shops in my neighborhood, but on days when I bring my dogs, I'll swing through the Starbucks drive-thru for my venti dark roast coffee (hot, no cream or sugar), so they can get a puppucino.

Any treats for you or the dogs on this occasion?

No treats for me, but the dogs love their puppucinos, which are these tiny cups that the baristas fill with whipped cream. Olive and Truffle don't get them very often, so they cherish each one!

How were you and Olive and Truffle united?

My husband and I wanted to buy a coffee plant one Saturday morning while I was in law school and we returned with Truffle instead! While we were looking for the plant, we stumbled upon a local shelter event and we really connected with Truffle. We'd been wanting to get a second dog for some time and had been on waiting lists with doodle-mix rescues in the area for a while before we got to meet Olive!

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

My husband and I like to cook together and we love truffle as an ingredient. When we talked about getting a dog, we'd always joke that "Truffle" would be a great name for a dog. I sometimes call him "Truffie" or "Chuckles" because he always looks like he's smiling.

We had a couple of name ideas for our second dog, but when we met her, "Olive" seemed to fit for some reason. She also responds to "Ollie," "Ollie-kins," and "Stinky."

Do Olive and Truffle do more to help or hinder your writing?

They somehow manage to do both!

When we first got Olive, she was a handful and required a lot of attention as a puppy so I didn't have as much time for writing. These days, they both love to curl up by me when I write and it's so comforting to have them around. But when they're super playful or if they spot a squirrel anywhere near a window, I usually opt to close my laptop and take them outside.

Have your actual canines inspired the creation of any fictional dogs?

Actually, yes! Truffle inspired a shelter-adopted shepherd mix in one of my works-in-progress and Olive inspired a brief interaction that the main character has with a Goldendoodle at a house party in a different novel I'm working on.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Truffle and Olive both love to run after squirrels. We have the occasional cat pass through our yard and those are Olive's favorite to watch through the window (I never let them out when a cat is around).

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

They love all three, but the ball is a particular favorite since they get to chase after it!

Who are your dogs' best pet-pals?

Before Olive, Truffle used to have a good group of corgi friends at our last place. But right now, they are each other's best pals!

What is each dog's best quality?

They are both so smart and so great at training. They're also incredibly loving and cuddly.

If Olive and Truffle could change one thing about you, what would it be?

They would definitely change how I manage my schedule so that I could spend every waking moment with them!

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

For Truffle, I would ask "what was your life like before we adopted you?" I've always been curious about where he came from since he was picked up from the street but was clearly accustomed to being in a house with a family.

For Olive, I would ask "what makes you happiest?"

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

For some reason, I feel like a good fit for Truffle would be Aziz Ansari. Haley Lu Richardson would be a perfect voice for Olive.

What advice would your dogs give if asked?

I'm pretty sure they would tell me to "stop stressing out so much and play with us" which is obviously great advice!

Visit Elle Grawl's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Who is in the photo at right?

Photo credit: Randi Klein

The photo is me, Lincoln Mitchell, and my beloved Isis. I am a consultant and writer who works on a number of different projects. I write a great deal about politics, baseball and San Francisco. When possible, I try to write about all these things together. I also evaluate US foreign assistance projects in different countries and teach political science at Columbia University. Isis is a nine and a half year old female goldendoodle. She is an extraordinarily mellow, sweet and even tempered beast.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I like this neighborhood café because they have great WiFi, good non-dairy drink options and mostly because they love dogs. I can come here to get out of the house for a few hours without having to leave Isis at home. Isis does not like being alone, so I try to take her with me as much as possible.

What's brewing?

Hot chocolate made with almond milk. I try to avoid dairy as much as possible, but love chocolate. Isis drinks water.

Any treats for you or Isis on this occasion?

I gave Isis her favorite fish treat, before we left the house. I think she might be part seal as she loves fish so much.

How were you and Isis united?

When my younger son was five, he asked if we could get a dog. He then asked every day for three more years. We finally gave in and said yes. I had never had a dog before, but decided that if we were going to get a dog, I would try to throw myself into the experience. My younger son and my mother are both allergic to dogs, so we had to get a hypoallergenic breed. It may have taken a full 45 seconds after meeting Isis before I fell in love with her. She and my younger son remain extremely close. That five year old boy is now a 6’3” high school senior, but he still sleeps with Isis in his bed many nights. My mother also adores Isis and brings her a bone every time she comes to New York from San Francisco to visit.

How did your dog get her name? Any aliases?

Well, if you name your dog Isis this question comes up a lot. She got the name Isis because my older son was 11 and studying Egyptian mythology in school when we started talking about dog names, so he proposed Isis. The rest of us thought it was a cool name and agreed. I also thought of the Bob Dylan song “Isis” which is a great tune. We call her a number of nicknames now because sometimes yelling “Isis!” in Central Park can create some problems. I call her Icy or Icicle a lot. Sometimes I call her Fierceness, for the same reason you call the bald guy curly.

Does Isis do more to help or hinder your writing?

She is a fantastic writing assistant. She is very quiet. She has never once barked when I am on a call or doing an interview. Every now and then she pokes her head between my arm and my chest when I am writing so I can pet her, but that is hardly a problem. Isis also forces me to get out of the house every 4-6 hours when I am writing no matter the weather. She loves the New York City winters unless it drops below ten degrees. However, she falls asleep on the job pretty much every day.

I'm aware Isis merits mention in your new book. Please tell us about San Francisco Year Zero.

San Francisco Year Zero is about San Francisco in 1978, but rather than focus on only the assassinations and Jonestown, I also examine the role of the nascent punk rock movement of that time and take a close look at the Giants 1978 season, when they were in first place for three months and for much of the year were the big story in the city. San Francisco Year Zero does more than just describe that extraordinary, tumultuous, exciting and tragic year. I also argue that the roots of the San Francisco of today, where social tolerance and some radical politics coincide with a real estate and tech driven economic boom that has created massive income inequality and myriad challenges related to that, has its roots in the events of 1978.

The book is well-researched, drawing on numerous sources including dozens of interviews with people ranging from Hank Greenwald to Jello Biafra to Allen Bennett, the rabbi at Sha’ar Zahav (the San Francisco synagogue Harvey Milk attended), but it is not academic in tone. Rather, it is an accessible non-fiction style that also has elements of first-person narrative as I grew up in San Francisco.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Isis loves to chase squirrels. Sometimes when I take her to Central Park for her midday walk, I let her go off-leash to chase squirrels, even though she is supposed to be on a leash at that hour. Tourists often stop and photograph this. Isis have never caught a squirrel and would have no idea what to do if she did.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Isis will occasionally play with a ball, but she seems much more interested in her human and canine friends.

Who is Isis's best pet-pal?

Isis’s best friend is another goldendoodle with the unlikely name of Wrinkle Hot Dog Astronaut. Wrinkle’s family are very close relatives of ours, so the two dogs see each other a lot. Whenever one family goes out town and cannot bring the dog, the other family takes care of both dogs. Wrinkle is higher energy than Isis, but they have a lot of fun together.

What is Isis's best quality?

Isis has many fantastic qualities. She is very sweet, even tempered and playful. However, her best quality is how attuned she is to the emotional state of the people in her life. Twice since Isis has been part of our lives, I have lost close relatives. On both occasions, for days afterwards Isis was reluctant to leave my side and was extremely supportive of me and my family.

If Isis could change one thing about New Yorkers, what would it be?

I just asked her that question and she looked up and wagged her tail, so I have to try to interpret that. I suspect Isis would like New Yorkers to slow down a little bit so that they could pet her more when she goes out for walks. A lot of people stop to pet her, but amazingly, they all have things to do and cannot spend hours petting a dog they just met.

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

I would ask her if there was anything I could do to make her life happier. I assume that because she is mellow, healthy and affectionate that she is happy, but I would like to know that for sure-and do what I could to make her happy if she is not.

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

Dame Judi Dench would be great to voice Isis. I have learned that if you name your dog after a goddess, she acts like one. Dench’s imperious tone, but also comic timing, would reflect how Isis expects the world to come to her.

What advice would Isis give if asked?

For my son’s tenth birthday, Isis went to the pet store and bought him a dog tag that said “Be Here Now” on one side and “Roll With The Punches” on the other. That was Isis’s advice then. I suspect it is the same now.

Visit Lincoln Mitchell's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Who is in the photo at right?

I’m Shelley Sackier, here with Haggis—seriously, he is the smartest hound I’ve ever had the pleasure of keeping company with. Haggis is a nine-year-old golden doodle who probably shares half my brain, and definitely half of my food.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Haggis is with me nearly 24/7, so whatever I’m cooking/baking/drinking/eating, he offers up his palate as beta taster. Brave of him. And kind.

What's brewing?

Usually my cup is full of some small farm organic, Fairtrade, South American grind—something so strong it’ll scrape the tartar off your teeth. Then, once my eyes have gone to their fully opened position, I switch to herbal teas—but punchy, tart, and tangy ones.

Any treats for you or Haggis on this occasion?

Our coffee is always accompanied by a large spoonful of almond butter. Make that two. One for me, and always one for Haggis.

How were you and Haggis united?

I met Haggis about a day after he was born. He was piled up with about 8 or 9 other brothers and sisters—all of them just working on breathing. Necessary skills on day one. I then came back once he’d perfected this, along with the talents of running and tumbling, about 6 weeks later to take him home with me. Happy, happy day.

How did your dog get his name? Any aliases?

Haggis is named after my favorite food. A Scottish dish that’s a little bit like a round sausage. There are a few more bits and bobs than just meat within the “sausage,” but as some of those ingredients tend to make people a teensy bit queasy, I shall refrain from including them in this description. But oh, wow, yum. Seriously. Nearly as scrumptious as my hound.

He is also referred to as Mr. Muttonchops and The Fluffernutter.

Does Haggis do more to help or hinder your writing?

Haggis is a perfect writing companion. My beta reader for sure. He lies in a giant pile of white fur under my feet until he hears the keyboard stop clacking, or he sees the sun slant at a specific angle. Then it’s time for a walk to put some necessary oxygen in our brains.

Have any actual dogs ever inspired dogs in your fiction?

Yup. Haggis is in my middle grade contemporary humor book Dear Opl, but known to readers as “Mr. Muttonchops.”

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Haggis and my cat Smudge wrestle together beautifully. I know that is a challenging thing to envision, but they are the best of friends. Smudge is much braver and will chase Haggis everywhere, but sometimes I think he’s just so big hearted that he’s making Smudge think she’s super courageous to be “attacking” a big dog. It’s hysterically funny.

And throw in bunnies, fox, deer, raccoons, skunk, bobcats, and bear as his other chase-worthy companions. Haggis sees them every day, but realizes that entire group runs much, much faster than he does. He’s also a big birdwatcher, and will sit for hours just enjoying their flight patterns.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Nope. Not much of a toy kinda guy. Mostly he’s just chewing on the remnants of deer bones from the woods. Such a fierce warrior. [snort]

Where is Haggis's favorite outdoor destination?

Haggis and I live on top of a mountain in the Blue Ridge of Virginia. We hike every single day. So any path in a forest is his favorite place to tread. There is just so so much to smell.

Who is Haggis's best pet-pal?

Definitely Smudge. I just love their friendship.

What is Haggis's best quality?

Haggis has the greatest smile ever. He’s the happiest dog I’ve ever seen. You call him, and he comes a’runnin’.

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

I think he would ask them to leave a bit more meat on the deer bones they give him as treats. We have a lot of hunters here, and he’s the lucky recipient of anything they might not find a use for.

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

Could you please tell me if anything hurts? Please?

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

Bill Murray.

What advice would Haggis give if asked?

Stay away from the small black things that look like wambling, chubby dogs. Their mothers are incredibly mean—they roar and bite.

Also, we should eat more meat. I meant you. You should eat more meat. I’m fine with this stuff in my bowl, unless, of course, you can’t finish what’s in yours. Then I’m happy to help. But there really should be more meat in your bowl.

Visit Shelley Sackier's website.

My Book, The Movie: The Antidote.

--Marshal Zeringue

Who is in the photo at right?

That’s me, Elisabeth Elo, author of suspense novels, with Freddie, my three-year-old golden doodle (1/4 golden retriever, ¾ poodle).

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Freddie and I go out to get coffee every morning. We drive, and he usually sits on the middle console leaning into my shoulder. Or he sits in the passenger street paying close attention to dogs on their morning walk. By this time, he’s already had a good romp in the dog park.

What's brewing?

Large latte. I heat it up some more when I get it home because I like it very hot. Then I put it in the trusty pink thermos my daughter gave me, and it gets me through a few hours of work. I’m always sorry when it’s done.

Any treats for you or Freddie on this occasion?

Freddie has breakfast at this time. When he’s finished eating, he comes over to lick his chops at me and get patted. If I don’t pay attention to him right away, he swipes my leg with his paw. I think he likes to share the joy of a good meal.

How were you and Freddie united?

I was allergic to the last dog we had and spent twelve years sniffling and feeling scratchy whenever I got too close to him. It was OK because that dog was really my kids’ dog and he got lots of attention from them. I knew that our next dog would be mostly mine, and I couldn’t risk feeling uncomfortable around him, so I figured he would have to be a poodle or poodle mix. I did a lot of research and visited a number of breeders. In the end the search was entirely worth it because Freddie is a fabulous dog and I’m symptom-free.

How did your dog get his name? Any aliases?

Just out of the blue. Freddie feels like someone you’d like to hang around with—a friendly, low-maintenance kind of guy. However, he does have names for different facets of his personality. His formal title is Frederick the Great, and in certain circles he’s known as Freddie Wop.

As T.S. Eliot pointed out in his famous poem “The Naming of Cats,” an animal sometimes has a name known to him alone: “An ineffable effable / Effanineffable / Deep and inscrutable singular Name.” I have reason to believe that Freddie also possesses one of these secret mysterious Names, but of course I’ll never know for sure.

Does Freddie do more to help or hinder your writing?

He keeps me from working in coffee shops because I don’t want to leave him alone for too long. That may seem like a hindrance, but it’s actually not, because I think coffee shops were just a distraction for me anyway. Now that I have Freddie, I just sit at my desk in the morning without a lot of futzing around (but with coffee). We mostly ignore each other until about three-thirty in the afternoon when, without fail, he comes over and swipes my leg with his paw as if to say, “That’s enough. Take a damn break, would you?”

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Freddie loves all sentient beings with the exception of dogs larger than himself. He spends a lot of time resting on the couch looking out the window and, when he sees one of these possible aggressors on the street, he reacts with sudden, protective vigor. I can usually talk him out of this reaction, and he usually complies, but not before he’s looked at me as if I clearly have no idea what I’m talking about it.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Ball, unless there are other dogs around to play with. In the house, he tears up old T-shirts.

Where is Freddie's favorite outdoor destination?

Anywhere with my husband, who often takes long walks.

What is Freddie's best quality?

Unquenchable joie de vivre.

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

He’s not judgmental at all. He likes everyone just the way they are, including me.

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

What can I do to make your life happier?

What advice would Freddie give if asked?

Don’t worry. We’re not meant to know everything.

Visit Elisabeth Elo's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Who is in the photo at right?

Why, hello. It’s me, Sally J. Pla, debut author of The Someday Birds, with my golden doodle, Leo. He is large. Almost 80 pounds of large. A bit of a jumbo doodle. Let’s call him a Venti.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Leo jumps heavily onto the foot of my bed every morning. Then he drags me downstairs for coffee, a scoop of kibble, and a wee. Me, I’d rather slide straight from REM sleep right into writing, but it is never to be. So the occasion, here, is our every-morning routine…coffee in the kitchen.

What's brewing?

Bella Donovan roast, ordered online from Blue Bottle, in a Bodum French press, with cream and sugar. Leo always asks to lick the cup. I don’t usually let him.

Any treats for you or Leo on this occasion?

There’s a French café/bakery down the road; on weekends, I’ll head down for a croissant to go. They have a raspberry almond variety that’s darn fine. That, on a Sunday, with The New York Times and the sun streaming in the kitchen, is a pretty optimum coffee-with-canine experience.

How were you and Leo united?

When my son was 10, he campaigned like crazy for second dog. We resisted, until the day he developed acute appendicitis. They wheeled my son into the OR, still pleading, hands clasped, suffering, angelic. “All this would be better if I only had a puppy!” he moaned. What monster would say no to that?

We got Leo soon after. And as the two homebodies of the family, Leo and I… bonded. Deeply. It happened almost from day one – while Leo loves my son, he has always been ‘my’ dog, somehow. I feel closer to him than to many people.

Several years ago, I was bedridden for a month after major surgery. Leo never left the foot of my bed. He never left me. My son had to pull him by the collar to get him to go downstairs to eat. Leo guards my bed every night, and is never more than an arm’s reach away from me at all times. When I leave to run errands, he parks himself by the front door until I get back. I can’t even go to the bathroom without him standing guard. It’s really a little ridiculous. But his loyalty and devotion is heart-melting. I’d do anything for that dog.

How did your dog get his name? Any aliases?

He was carefully and lovingly named by my son.

Does Leo do more to help or hinder your writing?

He helps and hinders. He’s missed plenty of walks because I was too deeply in thrall to a scene, too immersed. He is infinitely patient, slumped nearby, sleeping, awaiting the Magical Sound of the Closing of the Laptop. When he hears it—no matter how softly I close that MacBook—he scrambles up quickly in exasperated anticipation: “Are we finally going to do something now?” he’ll asks me. (Yes, he talks.)

Has Leo inspired the creation of any fictional dogs?

There’s a bit of Leo in the three-legged stray, Tiberius, that Charlie and his brothers rescue in The Someday Birds. And Leo’s goofy side is in Albert Einstein, the world’s least intelligent golden retriever of my second middle-grade novel, John Lockdown is in the Building (HarperCollins 2018). I cannot imagine writing a novel without a dog in it. Dogs rule!

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Cat-phobia. Squirrel-perplexion. Postal workers incite frenzied love-attacks.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

He’s a heavy chewer. The only thing that stands up is an elk horn or Galileo Bone, heavy as a rock, and when Leo chews on it, the whole house shakes.

Who is Leo's best pet-pal?

Although Copper, the neighbor’s teacup Yorkie, is fairly well tolerated, Leo’s not a dog’s dog. Leo thinks he’s a person. A timid person. At dog parks, he hides behind my knees like a kid on the first day of preschool.

What is Leo's best quality?

Could it be the intelligence and emotional honesty in his eyes? The warm leathery feel of the inside of his ears? How his floofy feet are the size of dinner plates? Could it be the unconditional mutual love? Seriously, it’s a problem how much I adore this dog.

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

He’d tell them to give homes to more real dogs, not those tiny spoiled yippy purse-toys.

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

Are you comfortable and happy?

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

Some magical meld of Jemaine Clement, Robin Williams, and Greg Kinnear.

What advice would Leo give if asked?

He’d say: “Stop obsessing about the pet hair on your leggings. Concentrate on the good stuff, on treasuring our every moment. A dog’s life is fleeting. Don’t forget to stop and smell the coffee.”

Visit Sally J. Pla's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Who is in the photo at right?

That’s me, Teresa Toten and Cheever Toten having our coffee date just this past week. I’m a Young Adult writer and Cheever is a 5 year old, male golden doodle.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I’d just finished my “ruff” draft of the novel I’m working on and Cheever wanted to get some points across before I started a full first draft.

What's brewing?

We only drink espresso. We’re tough like that.

Any treats for you or Cheever on this occasion?

No, it was a serious discussion.

How were you and Cheever united?

We bought him from a family as a puppy. Cheever was the runt of his litter and was seriously bullied by his siblings. He has issues but he is very cuddly snuggly.

How did your dog get his name? Any aliases?

I named him after my favourite writer (long dead) named John Cheever. He used to write short stories for the New Yorker that I read as a kid. I loved those stories even though I had no clue what they were about. John Cheever was an absolutely brilliant, alcoholic, misogynist, closeted gay man. I should maybe have thought that one through better. As I say Cheever has issues.

Does Cheever do more to help or hinder your writing?

He is generally helpful although he can be very judgy. I have trouble sitting still when I write, so I tend to get up and walk around the house, talking out passages and dialogue. Cheever follows me around and provides input.

Has Cheever inspired the creation of any fictional dogs?

Well, there you have it, the point of our coffee. In my last book, Beware That Girl, there is a dog named Bruce and he’s wonderful. Cheever loved that! However, in this book I’ve got a cat named Cicero. Cheever is not handling this well. I think I’m going to stick to my guns though... I’m pretty sure...

Cat, postman, squirrel…?

All of the above all of the time.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick…?

Cheever lives to destroy his toys and can never, ever, ever get enough of sticks, balls and rocks.

Who is Cheever's best pet-pal?

Cheever doesn’t much see the point of other dogs. He either thinks he’s better than they are or he's terrified of them. Except for Oscar a little Shih Tzu who used to live next door. They had a real bromance going. Cheever even shared his bones and favourite ball with Oscar when they had sleepovers. Alas Oscar moved away. Cheever has not recovered.

What is Cheever's best quality?

He loves to to be read to, he loves to love you and he’s intensely loyal. What more do you want from a guy?

If Cheever could change one thing about Torontonians, what would it be?

Everyone on the street should be carrying a ball or a stick and be read to throw it!

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

How do you understand time? When we leave for 5 minutes or five hours we get the same hysterical greeting. Is there a difference for you?

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

Alan Rickman. Okay so, it’ s not a great match, but I just want an excuse to hear Alan Rickman’s voice again.

What advice would Cheever give if asked?

Love and cuddles will fix everything.

Visit Teresa Toten's website.

The Page 69 Test: Beware That Girl.

Writers Read: Teresa Toten.

My Book, The Movie: Beware That Girl.

--Marshal Zeringue

Who is in the photo at right?

My name is David Hensley and I am one of the Principals in Bar K, a new dog park bar/restaurant concept on the riverfront in Kansas City. Bishop is my 6-year-old black Golden Doodle, or as a friend coined “Phantom Doodle.” Sounds cooler, ha!

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

We enjoy hitting up Alamo Placita Park in Denver to play with other dogs and get in a early morning meditation. One the way, there’s a car wash that has good coffee.

What's brewing?

They serve Dazbog, a Russian born, Denver roasted brand. Bкусно! ("Tastes good" in Russian.)

Any treats for you or Bishop on this occasion?

Bishop always gets a treat at the car wash [photo left] so it’s one of his favorite stops.

How were you and Bishop united?

I was looking for a companion for my first dog and stumbled upon a farmer who had a litter of Golden Doodles. Picking out a puppy out of a litter is tough, but I looked for the one who was independent and adventurous. Bishop was sniffing around on his own and I knew that was my dog! Since then, I’ve learned quite a bit about rescue and will go that route next time.

How did your dog get his name? Any aliases?

Don’t remember where it came from. Just like it.

I call him Bubba B and have a 80’s style rap song I made up for him. “Bubba B in the house, Bubba B with a mouse, Bubba B he ain’t small, Bubba B he’s real tall, Bubba B wika…wika… (record scratch) and repeat. Of course it makes no sense and sounds like a 3rd grader came up with it, but he seems to like it!

Please tell us about Bar K.

Bar K will be a dog park, bar, and coffeehouse located on the riverfront in Kansas City.

My business partner and I got our dogs on the exact same day without ever mentioned the idea before. We started taking our pups to bars/restaurants and dog parks. Neither situation was ideal for enjoyment of both parties. We were either standing around at a dog park or the dog was tied up on a restaurant patio. We wanted to create a place that was fun for both human and companion. Bar K was born.

Cat, postman, squirrel…?

Squirrel. But I don’t blame him. They actually taunt him. They’re cute, but it’s only because of their bushy tails. Without that, they’re just tree rats.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick…?

One of each for about 1 minute, then he’s bored. Get him a body of water and he’s in heaven!

Who is Bishop's best pet-pal?

Bear and Benji, my business partner’s dogs.

What is Bishop's best quality?

He gives great hugs with his head. He nestles his ear right up against your leg and looks up at you.

If Bishop could change one thing about Kansas Citians, what would it be?

Put your phone down!

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

Marry, hump, kill: Lassie, Benji, or Cujo…? Go!

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

Russell Crowe. I’ve always thought he should have an Aussie voice. "Are you not entertained?"

What advice would Bishop give if asked?

Stop and smell the roses.

Visit the Bar K website, Indiegogo page, Twitter perch, and Facebook page.

--Marshal Zeringue

Who is in the photo at right?

Hi! My name is Dan Richards. I’m a children’s author. My debut picture book The Problem With Not Being Scared Of Monsters came out August 1st of this year. Next to me is my 7 year old Golden Doodle buddy Freddy.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

To be honest, neither of us drink coffee so we got together to prove it was possible to take a photo with us both looking into the camera.

Any treats for you or Freddy on this occasion?

Freddy got Natural Balance Potato and Duck treats. I got a headache trying to get him to pose.

How were you and Freddy united?

He’s been part of our family since he was 12 weeks old. Hard to remember life without him.

How did your dog get his name? Any aliases?

My daughter wanted to name him Fred after Fred Weasley from the Harry Potter series (not quite sure why) and my son wanted to name him Darth Vader after, well, Darth Vader. We compromised and named him Fred Vader though he’s known now as simply Freddy.

Does Freddy do more to help or hinder your writing?

Freddy likes to lay on the floor and wrap his body around my chair while I write. This helps my concentration but hinders getting up to use the restroom.

Cat, postman, squirrel…?

Freddy loves to chase cats. He could care less about the postman. Unless the postman is a cat.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick…?

He loves stuffed animals. Unfortunately, he has razor sharp teeth. Nothing he plays with lasts more than a few minutes. He even sliced an ‘indestructible’ rubber toy in half.

What is Freddy's best quality?

He’s pretty much the gentlest dog ever. And the most creative in the use of pillows.

If Freddy could change one thing about Washingtonians, what would it be?

He would prefer every Washingtonian drop goldfish crackers wherever they go. Or drop cats.

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

How is it possible you can poop every time I take you for a walk even when it’s our fourth walk of the day?

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

Ben Stiller. They have the same hair and eyes.

What advice would Freddy give if asked?

When asked to pose for a photo, avoid the camera until all treats have been exhausted, including the ones supposedly forgotten in the back of the cupboard. Then give them one look to remember.

Visit the official Dan Richards website and Facebook page.

--Marshal Zeringue

Who is in the photo at right?

I'm Leslie Davis, freelance graphic designer and blogger for Paper Daisy Designs and Paper Daisy Kitchen.

Our always adorable and super smart Goldendoodle is named Tucker.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Just an ordinary day around the house. Getting my first look at emails, planning posts for the blog and upcoming projects.

What's brewing?

I'm not a coffee drinker, but I am passionate about my chai tea with soy creamer, or the occasional Chai Tea Latte.

Any treats for you or Tucker on this occasion?

Well, to be honest, he's enjoying a cup of water! He does love his peanut butter treats and when he's especially lucky he gets to lick an empty jar of peanut butter. He loves it!

How were you and Tucker united?

We picked him out as an early Christmas present 7 years ago. Best present we ever got, by far!

How did Tucker get his name? Any aliases?

Our family tossed around quite a few names, but agreed to wait until he came home with us to decide. Somehow, Tucker seemed to fit. He has lots of aliases; Doodlebug, Babydog, Curlyboy, Snugglebunny or just Baby.

Does Tucker do more to help or hinder your design work?

Tucker doesn't usually join me up in the studio unless he needs something, like lunch! He prefers to guard the house from the couch. But he loves to join me in the garage when my projects aren't too noisy or messy.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Probably squirrel, we don't have enough mature trees in our backyard to have them scampering around. He always willing to befriend cats, though most are unwilling. He doesn't bark at the postman, unless he rings the bell. But the UPS man, he acts like he's the worst person in the world.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

All of the above? He loves a ball and adores squeaky toys, but we don't buy them because he can't stop squeaking them!

His most beloved toy is now just a small ball we call the "nub". It was a rubber dumbbell looking chew toy we got for him when he was a puppy. Now, he takes the "nub" and taunts us with it using his heavy breathing sound. The moment you reach to grab it from his mouth he sucks it in and you lose. Ha!

Does Tucker have a favorite place to go for outings?

His favorite outing would have to be the nature trail that goes through town. He and I run several times a week. It keeps us both sane.

Who is Tucker's best pet-pal?

He's always happy to see his neighborhood friends and we dog sit for them sometimes, but he really seems pleased when they leave. I think he's kind of a loner.

What is Tucker's best quality?

Tucker is so loving and smart. Every person is a potential friend. He's almost too smart sometimes. He seems to understand everything we say, even when you think he's not paying attention.

If Tucker could change one thing about Missourians, what would it be?

I'm not sure he'd change anything. I know he was happy to discover snow when we moved here from Louisiana. He gets all frisky at the the first sight of flurries.

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

Are you really watching T.T.V.? Is that how you've gotten to be so smart? Or are you just waiting for the next animal to appear on the screen?

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

Oh, I can't decide. I do know for certain Tucker has a speech impediment. He can't say his L's. Yeah, we are some of those crazy people who talk for their dog.

Visit the Paper Daisy Designs and Paper Daisy Kitchen websites.

--Marshal Zeringue

Who is in the photo at right?

Meet Rachael Rodimel. A part-time Registered Nurse, full-time graduate student, momma to Bailey, and four months preggo Midwestern woman.

Bailey is our female, Goldendoodle who is a year and a half old.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Sometimes after a long day of being cooped up in the house, this couple a dog just needs some caramel apple cider.

What's brewing?

Amazing Caramel Apple Cider from Greyhouse Coffee.

Any treats for you or Bailey on this occasion?

We recently made Bailey homemade apple and carrot dog treats. She loves them! Of course, she also helped herself to a few licks of cider.

See the dog treat recipe here.

How did Bailey get her name? Any nicknames?

There was no ah-ha moment or big to do. Just lots of brainstorming. We met her for the first time, held her in our arms, and Bailey just fit. Of course, she also gets called Bay, Bay-Bay, Bailey Ann, and Bay-girl.

Cat, squirrel, postman...?

Bailey loves to run! She will chase any animal she sees for as long as we let her go. The postman - she’s okay with. However, the UPS man and the garbage man make her bark like crazy!

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Bailey is such a fun-loving dog. She will seriously play with any toy we give her! Squeaky balls are her favorite. Lately, she’s been hoarding all of her toys in our bedroom closet - crazy dog. Oh - those stuffed toys- we don’t even purchase them anymore. They are completely destroyed with all the insides out and fixings off within 5 minutes.

What is Bailey's best quality?

She is a lover. Anytime, any day, Bailey will choose people over toys and other dogs. She loves to cuddle, she listens fairly well, and she has an excited greeting for you every time you get home!

If Bailey could change one thing about Hoosiers, what would it be?

People - just because you are a Hoosier does not mean you need to cheer for IU. I am a Purdue gal, Boiler Up!

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

Queen Latifah - when we talk for Bailey (Yes, we do it. Don’t act like you don’t for your pup.) she is always a smart, sassy little thing.

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

What in the world do you do while we are gone all day?

Visit The Rodimels blog.

— Marshal Zeringue

Who is in the photo at right?

Margaret Dilloway, author of The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns and How to Be an American Housewife, with my dog, Gatsby. He's about 8.5 months old and is a Goldendoodle we adopted a few weeks ago.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

I usually have my coffee with Gatsby at my feet while I work at home, but today I stopped at Starbucks with the dog for an afternoon fix.

What's brewing?

An iced decaf latte with sugarfree caramel. In the afternoons, I go decaf.

Any treats for you or Gatsby on this occasion?

No.

How were you and Gatsby united?

Someone was adopting him out via Craigslist. His previous owner was too ill to care for such a rambunctious puppy, and the owner's friend decided my family was a good fit. I guess he'd had a pretty circumscribed life-- kept mostly in a kennel, let out only in the middle of the night to run the apartment building where he lived. He needs a lot of socialization and training-- he's still super mouthy for an older pup-- but he's a sweet dog and super smart.

How did Gatsby get his name? Any aliases?

The Great Gatsby is my all-time favorite novel. The kids came up with other names for him-- Samwise (from Lord of the Rings), Peter, Snickerdoodle. It took a Herculean diplomatic effort to get everyone to agree-- everyone was set on their names, except my husband, who just sided with me. My youngest daughter thought I was saying, "Cats pee" instead of "Gatsby," so that had turned out to be her main reason for dissenting.

You published your latest novel, The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns, before Gatsby joined the household. Is there any chance a Gatsby-inspired dog will make it into your future work?

Definitely.

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

It's a 50/50 shot. Right now he's just lying at my feet. He was outside barking at phantom people earlier and I had to shush him. But it's definitely nice to have the company, especially when I need a walk to clear my head; and he always likes the ideas I bounce off of him. I think.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

Cat.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

Stick.

Does Gatsby have a favorite place to go for outings yet?

The dog park. He was overwhelmed at first, but he loves going to play with other dogs now. And he loves riding in the car, even if we're just dropping off kids.

Who is Gatsby's best pet-pal?

He believes it is our cat, Richard Parker. Richard Parker disagrees. Gatsby thinks the cat smells divine and tries to lick him.

What is Gatsby's best quality?

His exuberant curiosity about everything.

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

He would make me understand that he needs his own chair at the dinner table, and also his own bedroom.

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

What can we do to keep you from being bored?

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

Leonardo DiCaprio, of course!

Visit Margaret Dilloway's website and blog.

My Book, The Movie: The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns.

The Page 69 Test: The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns.

--Marshal Zeringue

Who is in the photo at right?

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

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Tea on the deck this weekend.

What's brewing?

Allegro organic green tea.

Any treats for you or your dogs on this occasion?

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

How did your dogs get their names? Any aliases?

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

How were you and your dogs united?

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

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

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

Are there any dogs in your new novel?

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

Squirrel, postman, cat....?

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

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

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

What is each dog's best quality?

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

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

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

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

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

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

I would ask them if they are happy.

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

The Page 69 Test: Painted Hands.

My Book, The Movie: Painted Hands.

Writers Read: Jennifer Zobair.

--Marshal Zeringue