Interview with Sophie, Andrea Sisco's Shih Tzu

Sophie Pike was born on November 13, 2008. She's a ruby AKC Shih Tzu and is a running, tumbling, licking, fun-filled bundle of joy. She came into Andrea Sisco and Bob Pike's life when she was 13 weeks old. She's the joy of their lives. And they are really, really, really tired.

Mom, Andrea Sisco, writes cozy mysteries and her web site is www.AndreaSisco.com. She also is the co-owner of Armchair Interviews, an author book review and interview web site. The web address is www.armchairinterviews.com.

Andrea's first mystery novel, A Deadly Habit will be published in July 2009. Read my mom's review of her book on Blogcritics Magazine. My mom also interviewed her. Don't miss the fun interview!

In Sophie's own words...

My mom, Andrea Sisco, is a new mom. It's been twenty-five years since she' had a puppy running around the house and nine years since her beloved Samantha died. She grieved a long time.

I think my ability to play, pee and pooh non stop has been a shock. Mom's not getting any younger, you know (I've been "sufficiently:" warned about telling her age). And the mind does deteriorate when you get older, I understand. You know, forgetfulness.

I've only been in the family for a couple of weeks but I've learned some important things.

1. Mom is pretty serious about potty training. Security has been heightened since my arrival and any sniffing and running in circles results in a trip outdoors. Pronto.
2. It's really cold outside in Minnesota right now so you know I don't want to do my "business" outside. I heard her mention that we'd be going to the Arizona house in April and it's warmer there. My question is, why aren't we there now?
3. I can always make my Mom laugh and laugh and laugh. Even when I can't figure out what is so funny.
4. Mom loves to be kissed by me.
5. Mom loves to cuddle with me (Big Secret here! Dad doesn't know she allows me to cuddle with her in bed when he's gone). You won't tell will you? If you do, you'd better have the CIA on speed dial.
6. I'm being trained to travel by plane (Mom flies a lot). I have my own bright red (it is my color) travel crate. I think I'm becoming a fashionista cuz' my coats, sweaters, leashes and collars and crates are pretty spiffy.
7. I think Mom and I are going to have a lot of fun and I'm happy that I've brought so much joy to her life.
   

Tell us, Sophie. What do you do for amusement while Andrea pounds at the computer all day and ignores you?

There is no ignoring me. I simply don't allow it. After all, it is all about me. I'm a puppy for goodness sakes. Everyone (I'm teaching my Mom) knows that puppies must play, play, play. And then there is that little matter of potty training. She's a drill sergeant about that. That's one area in which I can't deter her with my sunny personality.

I'm really small right now (I weigh 5 pounds) so she allows me to sit in her lap while she writes book reviews. She doesn't allow me in her lap anymore when writing her next Penelope Santucci novel. You see we were killing (yes she murdered a man) the bad guy and I squirmed too much (I am not a fan of murdering people) so she announced, "I guess I will write when you're sleeping."

Well, we'll see about that!

Does Andrea fall asleep when she reads a book? Does she snore? What titles keep her awake the longest?

I don't know what snoring is. And I don't know if she fell asleep reading before my arrival, but she does now. She says she's getting older and I'm a handful! I guess it's because I still wake up during the night to go outside and that interruption keeps her tired during the day. Don't tell her that sometimes I just wake up because I want to cuddle with her. You do have the CIA on speed dial, right? Perhaps the Secret Service? You never know when you'll need witness protection.

What are you talking about, Sophie! Of course I have the CIA on speed dial. The CIA and I go a long way. But do go on. I'm loving all the inside info on Andrea... Does she ask your advice when she's stuck? Does she even listen?

Well… As I told you before, I'm pretty busy and so she's not writing much cuz' I'm still a baby and I demand all of her attention. However, she talks to me ALL the time. Nonsense I tell you, it's all nonsense. Sometimes I just want her to be quiet. I mean do I really need to know she's going to the bathroom, or that she's going to get dressed, or take a shower, or go to the club to work out? Oh, yes, that last one. I absolutely do need to know when she is leaving me. I don't want her to leave me. She's my Mom! I'm a baby and I don't want to be left alone!

(Jeez, what a cry baby) OKAY... What advice would you give to those pets that have to live with irrational, insufferable, egotistical authors?

It's all in the training. If you train your Mom early and well, it will be worth it later on. After all, we are not just their pets, we are their children. At least that's what my Mom, Andrea Sisco says.

And really, I haven't seen the bad side of my Mom yet. She's all about loving on me. Oh, but there are those potty accidents. She does get a "gleam" in her eye when that happens. So I guess the evil eye is about as far as it goes. She is pretty much of a braggart about me though. But that is as it should be.

Will you be boasting to your other pet friends about this interview? Do you think they'll be able to take it?

My Mom is just beginning to socialize me. Her goal is 100 new people and pets in a hundred days. That means we hang out at Pet Smart a lot! I plan on telling all my human and pet friends about this interview. It might help sell Mom's book (and that can only mean more treats and stuff for me) and of course, my Mom loves me and I love her so I want to help all I can.

My friends will probably be jealous about this interview, but more so because my Mom and I are growing so close. She says she loves me sooooo much. And you know what? She does. I can tell. I don't think we'll be needing the CIA any time soon. Or witness protection. We're pretty tight.

Oh, gotta go. She's starting to smooch on me. I think I'll see if she'll scratch my belly.

I guess Andrea is right... Sophie IS a handful...