WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.399 --> 00:00:03.120 It's Maria's much and Stuff. 2 00:00:03.600 --> 00:00:06.519 What a great idea on iHeartRadio. 3 00:00:11.400 --> 00:00:14.000 Welcome to Maria's Mutts and Stuff. And with me today 4 00:00:14.279 --> 00:00:17.760 is Marianne Leoni. She is an actress, a screenwriter and 5 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:23.640 author and her Five Dog Epiphany book is here and 6 00:00:23.960 --> 00:00:25.800 I want to talk to her about it. So first 7 00:00:25.839 --> 00:00:28.160 of all, I'm thrilled and honored to be talking to you. 8 00:00:28.760 --> 00:00:32.000 Oh same here, Maria. I have read your history and 9 00:00:32.079 --> 00:00:36.759 I love all of the work you do with rescuing animals. 10 00:00:36.880 --> 00:00:38.719 Well, thanks so much. And your book. 11 00:00:38.759 --> 00:00:40.719 Can I tell you I read it in a day. 12 00:00:41.399 --> 00:00:44.039 This I really did. I couldn't put it down. And 13 00:00:44.079 --> 00:00:45.840 I know some people have said that on the reviews 14 00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:47.439 in the back, but it was really true. It was 15 00:00:47.679 --> 00:00:50.520 just first of all, it is just such a loving 16 00:00:50.679 --> 00:00:54.119 tribute to your beautiful son Jesse, just so much. 17 00:00:54.200 --> 00:00:55.280 It's just so perfect. 18 00:00:56.200 --> 00:00:58.479 And then of course you threw and everything about the 19 00:00:58.560 --> 00:01:02.159 rescues and the rescue, but your book is so real, 20 00:01:02.479 --> 00:01:05.200 and I think and that's what made it so. I mean, 21 00:01:05.239 --> 00:01:07.159 I was laughing, I was crying. 22 00:01:07.319 --> 00:01:09.439 It was just like a mix of emotions. 23 00:01:09.439 --> 00:01:13.079 And I'm very happy to hear you say that, because 24 00:01:13.159 --> 00:01:15.879 you know, I think people are afraid to read books 25 00:01:15.920 --> 00:01:18.599 that have grief involved, and I want them to know 26 00:01:18.680 --> 00:01:21.400 that you will still have joy, you will still laugh, 27 00:01:21.560 --> 00:01:24.040 you will you know, I will always live with this loss. 28 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:27.079 But what I wanted to talk about was how rescuing 29 00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:32.760 these animals, you know, how brought back a measure of 30 00:01:32.840 --> 00:01:37.799 joy that I thought was gone forever. And it is not, of. 31 00:01:37.760 --> 00:01:40.799 Course no, but the whole process, and you explain that. 32 00:01:41.040 --> 00:01:46.079 I mean, because everything went from so dark and gray, 33 00:01:46.159 --> 00:01:48.879 and then with the dogs, it's like a little bit 34 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:52.799 of light came in and then more and but never 35 00:01:52.879 --> 00:01:55.719 losing the gray, because that's what that's what loss is 36 00:01:55.760 --> 00:01:58.239 to all of us and to and that we go 37 00:01:58.319 --> 00:01:59.159 through as humans. 38 00:01:59.480 --> 00:02:02.640 And but the it was just it just really was 39 00:02:02.719 --> 00:02:03.319 very perfect. 40 00:02:03.959 --> 00:02:06.400 Oh thank you. And you know, the first dog was 41 00:02:06.480 --> 00:02:08.639 not a rescue. I think I explained in the book. 42 00:02:09.080 --> 00:02:12.800 Our son was born ten weeks early and had a 43 00:02:12.800 --> 00:02:15.560 brain bleed on the third day and as a result 44 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:22.479 developed cerebral palsy. He was spastic, quadriplegic, nonverbal, and brilliant, right, 45 00:02:22.639 --> 00:02:26.159 so every once in a while, I mean he couldn't speak, 46 00:02:26.240 --> 00:02:29.120 but it was muscular, not cognitive, So every once in 47 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:31.680 a while he could get a word out. And boy, 48 00:02:31.719 --> 00:02:33.800 when he was six years old and he sat on 49 00:02:33.840 --> 00:02:37.240 Santa's lap, it was his fondest dream and he took 50 00:02:37.400 --> 00:02:39.719 everything he had to say, dog. 51 00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:41.120 I love that. 52 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:44.439 I turned to my husband and said, he's getting a dog, 53 00:02:45.039 --> 00:02:48.080 and it was you know, it was pre internet, really 54 00:02:48.319 --> 00:02:50.879 and we didn't know any better. We went to the 55 00:02:50.879 --> 00:02:55.240 pet store. We we got Goodie and Goody was Jesse's 56 00:02:55.280 --> 00:02:59.800 first sibling forever more. But we didn't realize that we 57 00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:02.879 were getting a dog from a you know, one of 58 00:03:02.879 --> 00:03:06.719 the poor breeder dogs that's kept in a cage. And 59 00:03:07.919 --> 00:03:11.080 it was only afterwards that I found that out, and 60 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:13.520 so from then on it was rescue. 61 00:03:14.719 --> 00:03:16.439 But you know what, I did the same thing. 62 00:03:16.479 --> 00:03:18.719 My first dog was also bought in a pet store 63 00:03:18.800 --> 00:03:22.280 because we didn't know. I mean, you're right without the Internet, 64 00:03:22.319 --> 00:03:24.039 and you point that out in your book, and it 65 00:03:24.039 --> 00:03:26.280 made me think, that's right, She's right, Like I never 66 00:03:26.319 --> 00:03:27.039 thought about that. 67 00:03:27.360 --> 00:03:28.680 But because before the. 68 00:03:28.599 --> 00:03:31.599 Internet, we didn't know these things, you know, unless you 69 00:03:31.599 --> 00:03:34.199 watched a dog show or something. But even still, Suzi 70 00:03:34.280 --> 00:03:38.319 Milan didn't happen until years later, so we didn't know. So, 71 00:03:38.960 --> 00:03:40.400 you know, the thing was, oh, you want a dog. 72 00:03:40.439 --> 00:03:42.919 You'd go to a pet store not even knowing what 73 00:03:42.960 --> 00:03:44.879 puppy mills. But you know what, there are people today 74 00:03:45.159 --> 00:03:48.960 who don't even know what puppy mills are, which is terrible. 75 00:03:49.400 --> 00:03:52.199 You know. I researched in a dead tree book, you know, 76 00:03:52.400 --> 00:03:55.919 actual book paper, what would be good for a child 77 00:03:56.039 --> 00:03:59.479 using a wheelchair, and and you know, and I thought, okay, 78 00:03:59.680 --> 00:04:02.840 East were one lap dogs and they don't shed, and 79 00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:06.639 they look like muppets, and he loves the muppets. And 80 00:04:06.680 --> 00:04:09.039 that's how we kind of got hooked on be Shan's. 81 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:10.840 You know, I think you kind of get hooked on 82 00:04:10.879 --> 00:04:13.439 a breed, although I love all the breeds and uh 83 00:04:14.439 --> 00:04:17.360 and so that was and then you did read that 84 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:20.879 I was initially terrified of dogs because one almost took 85 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:24.600 my eye out when I was But that was my 86 00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:27.399 own fault. I didn't understand that, you know. I I 87 00:04:27.519 --> 00:04:31.480 crawled into this uh hutch where a German shepherd had 88 00:04:31.519 --> 00:04:33.839 just whelped, and I picked up her. I thought I 89 00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:36.600 had discovered treasure, and then she almost took my eye. 90 00:04:36.519 --> 00:04:37.720 Out because. 91 00:04:39.800 --> 00:04:41.800 I would take someone's eye out of somebody. 92 00:04:42.839 --> 00:04:46.240 Didn't know, you didn't know, yeah, yeah. 93 00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:50.040 So but then the rescues were. They were a whole other, 94 00:04:50.800 --> 00:04:54.040 you know, journey to find out, you know. And I 95 00:04:54.079 --> 00:04:58.120 also learned about how varying the temperaments are of dogs, 96 00:04:58.680 --> 00:05:02.439 that it doesn't matter they've all gone through something, they 97 00:05:02.480 --> 00:05:06.000 will react differently too. Some have more resilience than others. 98 00:05:06.120 --> 00:05:09.319 And it was it was really interesting. The ones we 99 00:05:09.360 --> 00:05:12.199 have now, the last ones, the first girl dogs I've 100 00:05:12.199 --> 00:05:15.680 ever had, they are amazing. I cannot get over the 101 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:20.160 resilience of little Tete, who spent her entire six years 102 00:05:20.199 --> 00:05:24.480 in a cage as a breeder and was so neglected 103 00:05:24.519 --> 00:05:28.360 that the harness grew into her flat horrible, and she 104 00:05:28.519 --> 00:05:31.360 was a fear biter and nobody was adopting her. And 105 00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:33.800 she did draw blood from my husband the first day, 106 00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:38.120 but then she fell madly in love with him. And 107 00:05:40.959 --> 00:05:43.839 even now, oh my god, he goes away and comes back, 108 00:05:43.920 --> 00:05:47.839 she just the pitch of her bark is just and 109 00:05:47.959 --> 00:05:51.040 to watch her comeback she still brings me to tears 110 00:05:51.079 --> 00:05:54.639 because she is still making discoveries. We've had her for 111 00:05:54.680 --> 00:05:59.279 three years and the other day, just a few weeks ago, 112 00:05:59.360 --> 00:06:01.360 we took her to the Bay farm which is near us, 113 00:06:01.399 --> 00:06:04.959 and this this beautiful nature walk by the ocean, and 114 00:06:05.519 --> 00:06:08.120 she's been off leash because she knows where the chicken is, 115 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:14.240 you know. So and she suddenly took off into the 116 00:06:14.240 --> 00:06:16.959 woods and then came running back with a big smile 117 00:06:16.959 --> 00:06:19.720 on her face, like I chased a rabbit. I chased 118 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:21.879 a rabbit and I came back. 119 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:25.000 Right, which is amazing when you think about where she 120 00:06:25.120 --> 00:06:25.680 came from. 121 00:06:26.199 --> 00:06:29.040 That's right, you know. It's just moved me so much. 122 00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:32.480 I thought, Wow. And the other one, Sugar was never abused. 123 00:06:32.480 --> 00:06:33.959 She just was. I think she was living in a 124 00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:36.519 place where no one paid attention to her. Yeah, And 125 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:39.560 so she was playing with a ball and then I 126 00:06:39.600 --> 00:06:43.000 saw the next day TETI. It's as if she's teaching her. 127 00:06:43.240 --> 00:06:45.240 You know, it's beautiful. It's beautiful. 128 00:06:45.319 --> 00:06:49.240 It is When you first started writing this book, what 129 00:06:49.279 --> 00:06:50.319 was your intent, did you? 130 00:06:50.959 --> 00:06:52.879 Because I know this is is this correct? It's your 131 00:06:52.920 --> 00:06:55.920 third book. It's my third book, one about your mom, 132 00:06:56.000 --> 00:06:56.720 one about Jesse. 133 00:06:57.680 --> 00:07:00.920 Yes, you know my mother. I'm first to generation. My 134 00:07:00.920 --> 00:07:03.879 mother came here to escape fascism in an arranged marriage, 135 00:07:04.120 --> 00:07:09.879 believe it or not, Womaz Yeah, but yeah, I had 136 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:14.360 written about Jesse. I wanted to write about the healing 137 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:18.120 power of you know, because I was reading this thing 138 00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:21.279 about how the psychiatrists had done this thing, like, if 139 00:07:21.319 --> 00:07:24.920 you're still grieving heavily six months after somebody has died, 140 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:29.800 then you have complicated greeds. I thought, no, you know, 141 00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:32.279 and I thought, I really want to write to I 142 00:07:32.360 --> 00:07:36.519 want to write about the healing power of giving back 143 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:39.639 to a creature that is has been damaged and how 144 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:42.439 that can help you heal. And I don't buy what 145 00:07:43.199 --> 00:07:45.959 this says. This is wrong. I agree with you. 146 00:07:46.360 --> 00:07:49.959 Absolutely, there's no there's no what is the word like 147 00:07:50.360 --> 00:07:53.399 not a diagram, but there's no like book that right, 148 00:07:53.600 --> 00:07:54.680 because we're humans, so. 149 00:07:54.600 --> 00:07:57.519 Everybody's different and every situation is different, that's right. 150 00:07:57.720 --> 00:08:01.000 And I just I just and raised me when I 151 00:08:01.040 --> 00:08:04.959 saw that. Yeah, so this is in response to that, 152 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:08.639 more or lesson just talking about like what it did 153 00:08:08.879 --> 00:08:11.560 personally for me. I don't say everybody has to be me, 154 00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:13.839 you know what I mean. It's it's not a how to. 155 00:08:14.839 --> 00:08:16.519 This is what it did for us, right. 156 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:18.879 But I think because it's so real, your book is 157 00:08:18.920 --> 00:08:22.519 so real, and I think anyone will be able to 158 00:08:22.600 --> 00:08:24.720 identify with it in some way. 159 00:08:25.160 --> 00:08:27.800 Oh, I really believe that. I mean, honestly, I hope 160 00:08:27.839 --> 00:08:28.279 that's true. 161 00:08:28.399 --> 00:08:31.319 Well, because trust me, I never can. I never read 162 00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:33.720 books in a day, you know. 163 00:08:34.200 --> 00:08:38.000 W thank you so much. I promise you. 164 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:39.519 I'm not making it up. I really did read it 165 00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:39.879 in a day. 166 00:08:39.919 --> 00:08:41.720 I started it when I got home from work, and 167 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:44.720 then I started reading it after dinner, and then I 168 00:08:44.799 --> 00:08:46.919 was had the baseball game in the background and I 169 00:08:46.960 --> 00:08:48.240 was reading it, and then I went to bed. I 170 00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:50.639 stayed up to like twelve. I wanted to finish it, 171 00:08:50.799 --> 00:08:52.919 and then I thought, oh, it's like twelve thirty, which 172 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:54.759 is you know, much later that I go to bed. 173 00:08:55.440 --> 00:08:57.600 But BUPA plus, it was really that good. 174 00:08:57.600 --> 00:08:59.559 And I'm not just telling you that, I really truly 175 00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:00.799 mean it because. 176 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:03.159 It was just so touching. It was just so touching, and. 177 00:09:03.120 --> 00:09:04.720 You touched on so many different things. 178 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:06.960 And of course you know to talk to me about 179 00:09:06.960 --> 00:09:09.360 the whole dog thing, which is how I was. 180 00:09:09.279 --> 00:09:11.480 Introduced to you, like, oh, you want to read this book. 181 00:09:11.480 --> 00:09:13.799 It's about rescues in her life. But I have to 182 00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:16.759 tell you. You say something at the beginning of the book. 183 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:20.279 And I've been saying this for years, and when I 184 00:09:20.320 --> 00:09:22.559 say it to certain people sometimes they get it. 185 00:09:22.679 --> 00:09:24.679 And I just think it's because it's human nature. 186 00:09:24.799 --> 00:09:29.919 And people are awkward with death and when right and 187 00:09:30.279 --> 00:09:32.960 to me, you should always say and maybe just because 188 00:09:33.320 --> 00:09:35.720 you know, we're Italian, so we're used. 189 00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:36.879 To going to. 190 00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:39.080 Yes. 191 00:09:40.759 --> 00:09:43.960 So I think, you know, because I remember being in 192 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:46.879 college and having friends who had never gone to a wake, 193 00:09:46.919 --> 00:09:48.960 and I'm like, are you kidding? We went as children, 194 00:09:49.159 --> 00:09:53.200 you know, Yes, So I think it's death is different 195 00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:56.799 to us. And and I also think so that we 196 00:09:56.840 --> 00:09:59.360 are not. You're never comfortable with it, but you know, 197 00:09:59.399 --> 00:10:02.440 if somebody us is someone you say, I'm sorry, and 198 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:03.919 that's all you need to say. 199 00:10:04.039 --> 00:10:06.639 That's right, that's right. I remember my dad died when 200 00:10:06.679 --> 00:10:08.519 I was fifteen, and it was one of those really 201 00:10:08.639 --> 00:10:11.679 terrible ways with people pulling him out of the coffin 202 00:10:11.720 --> 00:10:15.360 and you know, really full out. And I remember the 203 00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:18.600 most comfort I got was from my my dear friend, 204 00:10:18.600 --> 00:10:21.320 who was, you know, my little playmate from four years old, 205 00:10:21.399 --> 00:10:23.679 who did nothing, just came into the room and sat 206 00:10:23.919 --> 00:10:26.960 yes to me, touching me hip to hip, and that 207 00:10:27.120 --> 00:10:30.840 was it. You know. It was because my mother's people 208 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:34.879 came from they understood. They have this song called Mai 209 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:39.360 you have left Me dark, and they that culture is 210 00:10:39.399 --> 00:10:42.919 comfortable with death. Our culture is not cure is not 211 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:46.000 exactly I mean, get over it is the is the answer, 212 00:10:46.159 --> 00:10:50.159 and you don't and you don't, and then you feel 213 00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:53.000 or take drugs, which is so terrible. I mean not 214 00:10:53.240 --> 00:10:55.759 I don't judge people, who are you to. I just 215 00:10:55.799 --> 00:11:00.759 feel like I wish it weren't so, you know, forcing 216 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:03.000 yourself to push everything underneath and we're just. 217 00:11:02.919 --> 00:11:05.320 Going to say, yes, you sweep it under the carpet. 218 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:07.879 Yeah, I really hate that. So I did too. 219 00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:11.080 And the thing that you said is when people instead 220 00:11:11.080 --> 00:11:15.600 of saying I'm sorry, they say I can't imagine. 221 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:16.960 Oh my god. 222 00:11:17.200 --> 00:11:20.000 And I regardless of who it is or what or 223 00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:23.519 you know, whether it's a child or a parent or 224 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:27.080 an animal, and people say I can't imagine. 225 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:30.120 I've gotten so angry with people, right, And then when 226 00:11:30.159 --> 00:11:31.840 I saw that part of your book at the beginning, 227 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:34.720 I'm like, oh my god, I love her for addressing this. 228 00:11:35.320 --> 00:11:38.000 Don't ever say I can't imagine, because you're going to 229 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:40.159 have to so just stop it. 230 00:11:40.799 --> 00:11:42.840 Oh my god. The go to. It's the go to 231 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:45.360 for people. I get it, because it's really you don't know, 232 00:11:46.039 --> 00:11:48.440 you never know what to say, and God forbid. I mean, 233 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:51.759 our son was disabled, so I mean there are actually 234 00:11:51.799 --> 00:11:53.279 people who said it was for the best. 235 00:11:53.320 --> 00:11:56.679 I mean horrible, and I'm just horrible, horrible. I know. 236 00:11:56.919 --> 00:12:00.279 I was like, like, as I was reading it, said 237 00:12:00.320 --> 00:12:01.919 the neighbor who said that. 238 00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:03.320 Like what what? 239 00:12:04.039 --> 00:12:06.200 Yeah, but you know she was from another generation. She 240 00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:09.320 was in her nineties, and maybe it was I don't know. 241 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:12.480 It was like it was something that you said if 242 00:12:12.559 --> 00:12:14.320 you were wasp f. 243 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:18.840 You're stupid, you know, or callous or you don't have 244 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:20.840 a heart. It's terrible. 245 00:12:21.159 --> 00:12:24.200 But yeah, I don't get it. But I don't get it, 246 00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:28.360 but I do. I do love our life with dogs, 247 00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:31.840 and we were you know, we lost Lucky and Frenchy, 248 00:12:31.960 --> 00:12:36.279 the first rescue dogs during COVID, and I remember saying 249 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:40.519 to my husband, it's bleak. A dogless household after having 250 00:12:40.600 --> 00:12:41.639 dogs is bleak. 251 00:12:41.799 --> 00:12:42.399 It is bleak. 252 00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:45.679 Yeah, And he said, I'm still morning Frenchy. I said, yeah, 253 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:47.440 but I'm looking at that finder right now. 254 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:48.440 That's what you said. 255 00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:51.000 And then because you kind of you convinced him to 256 00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:52.639 get the recent ones. 257 00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:55.679 Yeah, yes, and he adores them, of course. 258 00:12:55.399 --> 00:12:57.000 And they adore him of course. 259 00:12:57.159 --> 00:13:02.399 Yes. Overally, I might add I'm a little bit jealous, 260 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:05.320 I know. 261 00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:06.840 But the other one who's feeding them and doing everything. 262 00:13:06.840 --> 00:13:12.200 But first they love him. But yeah, those are dogs. 263 00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:14.759 They have been. It's been interesting. Have you noticed a 264 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:17.919 difference between having girl dogs or boy you know, male 265 00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:20.679 dogs or female dogs. Yes, what is your feeling of 266 00:13:20.720 --> 00:13:21.279 the difference. 267 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:22.399 It's interesting. 268 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:26.320 My very first dog, my pug, was a female, and 269 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:29.080 then the two dogs since then were males. And then 270 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:32.039 when a neighbor of mine passed away, I took her 271 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:36.519 dog in and she was an eight pound poodle who 272 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:41.639 traumatized my seventy pound lab mix. It was, oh my god, 273 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:44.919 it was insane. But yes, when I took her and 274 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:46.960 she was a female, I don't know. I kind of 275 00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:50.879 feel sometimes females are a tad meteor. 276 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:51.440 And I hate to say that. 277 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:54.279 I don't mean to be against our own gender. My 278 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:56.480 two male dogs were like frat boys. 279 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:59.320 They were like these I didn't feel that. I felt 280 00:13:59.320 --> 00:14:02.600 that these were more tuned like Lucky and Frenchy were 281 00:14:02.679 --> 00:14:04.960 bonded too. That made a difference because they were a 282 00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:07.320 bonded pair. They were like, yeah, we're good, you know 283 00:14:07.320 --> 00:14:10.080 what I mean. And they never slept with us. These 284 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:12.360 two when they see me get water and go into 285 00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:14.080 the bedroom like all right, hurry up, going to bed, 286 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:19.960 let's go. Yeah, you know, yes, yeah. They seemed very 287 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:23.759 in tuned, although they were kind of bullies in the 288 00:14:23.799 --> 00:14:26.679 beginning because they would I mean, my husband is a 289 00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:30.000 light sleeper, and they would start Sugar would start this 290 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:36.879 low girl like get up, get and now I was 291 00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:39.480 like an idiot taking them out even before my coffee. 292 00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:41.519 That's how easily bullied I was. 293 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:45.399 Well, you're you're a very good dog parent. That's why 294 00:14:45.840 --> 00:14:47.799 you are. I know you would say that I took 295 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:51.320 them out. I didn't have my coffee yet, so bad, 296 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:54.519 I know, I don't know. It's it's interesting about the difference. 297 00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:58.559 I mean, my last dog, I feel compared to all 298 00:14:58.600 --> 00:15:01.080 of them, and he passed away f months ago, so 299 00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:05.240 I'm in that dogless household right now, which is thank you, 300 00:15:05.279 --> 00:15:06.360 which is it's tough. 301 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:07.440 I mean, you know, it's just. 302 00:15:08.919 --> 00:15:11.519 But and it's interesting because he was the only dog 303 00:15:11.559 --> 00:15:14.399 of all the dogs I've had who didn't want He 304 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:17.120 never would sleep with me, uh huh. And it was 305 00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:19.480 really crazy, like never, but he was very happy to 306 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:21.519 sleep in the bedroom, but in his bed. 307 00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:26.440 Interesting, very interesting. It's temperament. It's like, you know, here's 308 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:29.559 Frenchie that we've had for thirteen years. Even at the 309 00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:31.240 end of his life, if you put him on his back, 310 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:32.799 his legs were like a four poster. 311 00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:35.879 They never relaxed and. 312 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:40.519 Lying around the first month. Yeah, no, it's true. 313 00:15:40.559 --> 00:15:41.399 It's very interesting. 314 00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:44.399 It's very I'm fascinated by dogs for this reason because 315 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:47.559 they're all so very different. And what was familiar about 316 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:51.360 Lucky and Frenchy to me is my last dog, Fredo. 317 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:55.200 He came from Mississippi and he was very, very fearful, 318 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:57.399 you know, and live I live in New York City, 319 00:15:57.480 --> 00:15:59.919 so like, oh, that was smart. But he was, you know, 320 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:03.279 a tuck tale for like two years. When people are like, oh, 321 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:05.120 just give him like a month and he'll be fine, 322 00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:09.799 it's like, yeah, no, no, it's interesting, you know, I mean, yeah. 323 00:16:09.799 --> 00:16:10.799 Yeah, they're all different. 324 00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:14.240 I found it that way too. It was I just 325 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:16.200 got used to the fact that they were just different 326 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:19.279 temperaments and they were going to respond in their own way. 327 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:21.440 And you know, the way Chris and I were trained 328 00:16:21.559 --> 00:16:25.360 as actors, which is so weird, is to listen for 329 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:28.200 what was under the words, which of course trained us 330 00:16:28.200 --> 00:16:33.799 for our sons. Yeah, but also to deal with nonverbal dogs. Yes, 331 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:36.279 you know, and to be able to communicate with them 332 00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:40.000 without words, you know, or to or to understand what 333 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:43.679 they were trying to communicate to us. This was a benefit. 334 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:46.120 It was truly a benefit to be trained. 335 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:48.919 That right, right, And I think what you and Chris 336 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:52.480 did and do as dog owners, which I hate to 337 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:55.480 say it, but many do not, that you paid attention 338 00:16:55.639 --> 00:16:59.039 to their body language and their communication, which you know, 339 00:16:59.080 --> 00:17:00.799 I see people on the street and I'm like, why 340 00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:02.559 are you doing that? But I'm not going to interfere, 341 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:06.400 But because people don't pay attention and they don't write. 342 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:08.400 Have you noticed that? But the way you guys have. 343 00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:13.160 Walks with people, when I see people approaching, I feel 344 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:16.160 like wow, or it makes me sad when I see 345 00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:19.319 people not let their dogs like sniff on there. Yes, 346 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:21.880 I feel like, do you understand the whole purpose of 347 00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:22.680 this walk? No? 348 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:24.039 And they don't. They don't. 349 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:27.759 Yeah, And I think that's makes the big difference, because 350 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:29.319 you know how you were trained. 351 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:31.279 You know, when I first got my first dog, I 352 00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:32.160 read so many. 353 00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:34.440 Books and I used to watch Caesar Milan and all that, 354 00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:36.720 so I kind of right, and you did, and you 355 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:40.000 kind of learn and like, oh wait, watch the body language, 356 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:43.599 and I think that's the difference. Like I've seen people, young, 357 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:46.519 very young people having a dog and it goes over 358 00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:48.880 and it sniffs the other dog's butt and they go. 359 00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:52.880 Don't do that, And I'm like, what, I know, right, 360 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:59.839 we're not expecting you to. Yes, well, that's another thing. 361 00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:02.759 That's another thing I find and I know many people 362 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:04.920 who and I'm sure you do as well, that they 363 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:06.920 and there's a word for it that I always get wrong, 364 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:10.960 but when you put human traits on an animal, and 365 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:15.640 I know, yes, yes, that's it. Many people do that. 366 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:18.519 Yes, right, and they're not humans and they're. 367 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:21.880 Humans, yeah, they're animals, they're wired different canines. 368 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:26.400 Yes, yea. So although I did have that moment that 369 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:28.599 I described in the book where Frince he thought he 370 00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:31.599 was part of the coyote package, that was very funny. 371 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:34.799 It was to see him raise his little head and 372 00:18:34.839 --> 00:18:37.240 make a little howl. It was just so I thought 373 00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:42.119 you were an amused boosh, my darling. 374 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:42.640 Oh my goodness. 375 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:44.759 I know, I felt like I knew all your dogs 376 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:46.799 just by the way you describe them, and they was 377 00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:50.640 just it was just so very familiar, even though I 378 00:18:50.680 --> 00:18:53.440 don't know them. But no, you did you just did 379 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:55.599 such a wonderful job with this book, and I'm so 380 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:59.000 I'm so happy for you and that you wrote this. 381 00:18:59.359 --> 00:18:59.720 Thank you. 382 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:01.839 And I know you're about you. 383 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:04.640 You're doing you know, interviews and going on like a 384 00:19:04.680 --> 00:19:07.079 book tour. And I know I shouldn't even ask you 385 00:19:07.119 --> 00:19:09.640 this because it's too soon. But and what's next on 386 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:10.319 your agenda. 387 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:12.440 The next thing I'm going to do is put together. 388 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:15.400 I do have this. I have a book of auto fiction. 389 00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:17.759 I did go to Catholic school for thirteen years and 390 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:22.440 it was a nightmare. Yeah, and I did write a 391 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:24.480 bunch of connected short stories about it. And if you 392 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:27.799 go on my website, which is maryanlioni cooper dot com, 393 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:31.240 because there's another Maryanione, but you will see. 394 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:32.640 Yeah right, I didn't realize that. 395 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:34.680 Not right, And you will see a video of me 396 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:38.000 and Chris reading a story from that. And Chris is 397 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:42.640 pretty hilarious because here's this Midwestern cowboy reading my grandfather, 398 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:47.920 you know, saying like it's pretty funny. So I would 399 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:50.279 like to publish that. But also I'm putting together. I've 400 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:52.119 written a lot of essays, you know, I've written for 401 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:54.240