Click here for Tama's Upcoming Appearances! Pop artist Peter Max has made Tama and her Leonberger, Milo, the subject of two of his paintings. They met during a chance encounter in SoHo. The photograph below features Tama, her husband, Johan, and Milo in Tribeca and appears in the book Bow Wow Chow by Julia Szabo. Tama is the name given to household pets in Japan. Apparently, it is the equivalent of naming your child Fido. Tama discovered this on her seventh birthday, when the Benihana staff attempted to serenade her with "Happy Birthday" and broke into hysterical laughter when they came to her name in the song. Finally, to Tama's parents' relief, a manager intervened. But the name proved too much for him and he broke down as well. The incident is part of a recurring nightmare. Growing up without a television, Tama was forced early on to find ways to amuse herself; by playing the violin, drawing, and staring for hours at her Dukes of Hazzard lunchbox, pretending it was a television. When she's not at her computer, Tama can be found behind the wheel of her truck; off-roading on the Southampton and Fire Island dunes. In other words, if you're sunbathing or picnicking and see a large, metallic green vehicle coming towards you, it's best to get out of the way...quickly. Photo credit: © Julia Szabo