Doggone Etiquette —

My Dog Can’t Read!

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:

Have you chewed up any good books lately? I hope not! Okay, so dogs can’t read, but you’d be surprised how many good things come your way because your VIPeople can. So this summer plan to be calm and quiet while your favorite persons are off in the world of the book they are reading. An occasional nuzzle is okay, just to let them know how good you are being. The book they can’t put down could be the very one that is telling them how to do something wonderful for you, or with you. Reading for people is silent, sort of like hand signals are for you dogs, so wait. There may be something special in it for you.

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:

It’s summer and that’s a great time to have good books to read. Whether you are in a hammock under the trees, spread out on a chaise on the deck or by the pool, or just enjoying the clever invention of a/c, there’s a book to suit your mood of the moment. At one time books about dogs were quite rare, but now there are zillions (possibly literally) about every aspect of the dogs in our lives from fantasy to the basics of reality.

There are books written by veterinarians that are not overly technical and therefore are easy reading but helpful for the general care of a dog. Heaps of books written for children of every age go a long way in letting kids understand dogs in general and how much growing up with a dog can mean to them later in life. There are quantities of books on specific breeds, so whether yours is a Beagle or a German Shepherd, you will find a book to fill you in on the origins, history, health, training, and just about everything you ever wanted to know and understand about your special dog. These are the books that answer every pet owner’s pleading question, “Why does my dog do that?”

Don’t miss the Booth Library book sale (July 14-18) in the Reed Intermediate School. You’ll come across exactly what you’re looking for – plus at least a dozen or so more! It’s a great adventure for the kids, too. Rufus is not welcome, but definitely take the rest of the family. Look hard enough and you might even find some golden oldies like Real Dogs Don’t Eat Leftovers written and illustrated by the noted cartoonist, Lee Lorenz and published way back in 1983. Dogs tied in with history in a hysterically funny format. A slightly more modern one (1995) by Peter Mayle (better known perhaps for A Year In Provence) is called A Dog’s Life written as if by a very philosophical dog with great illustrations by Edward Koren. Then there are the hundreds of new fiction stories that include a Rufus or two.

Noshing while you read is perfectly okay so long as you have an occasional treat on hand for that patient pooch by your side. One other bit of advice – be very careful where you put the book down, even for two seconds. Anything that has held your interest so completely will obviously have stirred Rufus’ curiosity. That goes for any form the book takes, from paperbacks to our modern electronic devices. Caution! They are all indigestible to nosey dogs.

Keep Rufus in mind when you’re browsing through all the tables of books at the Book Sale because you’re sure to spot at lest one that will help you feed him all the right foods – including the chapters he will really appreciate that have special recipes for dog treats.

Until next time – BE GOOD!

- Bardi