Q&A With Debra Messing & Dan Zelman by Glenn Close

Dan and Debra with their Coton de Tulear, Laila.
Debra Messing is the Lucille Ball of her generation. Her great beauty, wit and impeccable comic timing were instrumental in making WILL & GRACE a pop culture masterpiece. Dan Zelman, Debra's husband, is a great writer. Every week on DAMAGES, the series Dan executive produces and co-writes for F/X, we are handed scripts that, simply put, blow us away. Debra and Dan, both extraordinarily gifted, have been well trained by Laila, their beloved Coton de Tulear; a rare breed known as the official Royal Dog of Madagascar; former companions of pirates, merchants and noblemen. Jake, Billy and I are thrilled to have them as our guests on LIVELY LICKS.

Laila, a Coton de Tulear, is the pride and joy of Debra Messing and Dan Zelman.
GC: When and how did you become a dog lover?
Daniel: I never had dogs growing up. I had cats. Tons of cats. And birds, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, turtles... We were animal lovers, but, for some reason I never understood, we were dogless. Apparently, when I was a boy, I told my mother I wanted a dachshund. I never got one. Then when Debra and I moved in together, she said she wanted a dog. She grew up with dogs, and proudly calls herself a "dogperson." I resisted, not wanting the responsibility, but she said she would take care of it. Of course, I instantly fell deeply in love with Laila, and, despite Debra's promise, the dog care responsibilities fell mostly to me. And I happily accepted them.

GC: How have you balanced work with your dogs?
Debra: As an actress, I have the advantage of being able to take Laila with me to work. She has grown up on sets and is happiest there.
Daniel: As a writer, I've been able to work a lot at home over the years. So Laila has spent many hours sitting in my office, listening to me try out dialogue as I struggle over scenes. She thinks I am an insane man who talks to myself in different voices.

GC: Have you ever rescued a dog?
D&D: No, but we would like to. Our next dog will be a rescue.

GC: How did your present dog come into your life?
D&D: Through a breeder in Ojai, California. The breeder was very religious and constantly listened to religious music. To this day, Laila loves inspirational, Christian rock.

Debra and Laila.
GC: What kind of car would your dog drive?
D&D: Some kind of white convertible.

GC: What would be the title of your dog's autobiography?
D&D: "They Suck: the Story of a Neglected Princess"

GC: Is there a secret about you that only your dog knows?
D&D: Our dog is the only one who knows how truly lazy we are.

Help Animal Rescue New Orleans When You Start Shopping Here!

Making your purchases count for charity is easy. Just start shopping from the list of products Debra and Dan have chosen in their Favorites Widget below. Or if you want to shop the entire FetchDog store, just start by clicking here. We'll track ALL your purchases—whether from their recommendations or not—and will donate a percentage of those proceeds to Animal Rescue New Orleans. There is no added cost to you—just do your routine shopping and FetchDog donates a portion of the sale, on behalf of Debra and Dan, to animal rescue efforts in New Orleans.

*source: http://www.fetchdog.com/blogs/livelylicks/QandA/q_a_with_debra_messing