Readers, and listeners, may enjoy a different kind of Q&A. It was recorded at the home of Dana Perino, with her illustrious and beautiful dog, Jasper. Dana and I did most of the talking. Jasper was frisky for a while, then slept peacefully. (I think it was my talking that did that.)

For the podcast, go here.

Dana was a presidential press secretary for George W. Bush. She has long been a leading figure at Fox News. Her latest book is Let Me Tell You about Jasper …: How My Best Friend Became America’s Dog. The book is about Jasper, and about dogs. But, fundamentally, it is about love.

For a half-hour or so, we talk about matters canine and human. There is a little politics in this podcast, but not much. Dana and I even put in a good word for cats — although they are not the star of this show, by a long shot.

I appreciate many things about Dana Perino, including her sensible and principled conservatism. Her patriotism. Her composed, unrufflable style. But I must say I particularly appreciate her lack of cynicism. All in all, she’s a breath of fresh air.

Again, the podcast is here.

P.S. If you’re in the mood for music — or at least something to read about music — I have a review of Joshua Bell in recital, here. He was accompanied last night in New York by Alessio Bax, an Italian pianist. Concertgoers got home in plenty of time for Game 7 of the World Series — at least most of it. Indeed, Bell and Bax could have played two recitals, and there would have been enough time to catch much of that epic game.

P.P.S. Too bad that “epic” has become kind of a joke word in recent years, because it is the mot juste, in select situations.