Reading to Dogs

Are you reading to your dog?

 Meet Teddy. He's a 6 year old Shih Tsu and his biggest ambition is to be a reading mentor in a READ program. Some call them Reading to Dogs literacy programs, others say Sit, Stay, and Read. Teddy and I learned about these programs a number  of years ago and an avid canine book lover was born. Today Teddy is on the lookout for good books and people who will read to him. 

  This blog is the result of combining my three passions: writing, dogs, and books. I'll be sharing info on all three, as well as my quest to release my inner Dog Whisperer. Teddy, the bookish Shih Tsu, is one of four dogs who live with me. All the boys love reading and share a particular fondness for dog-centric books. We are in constant search for the next good read.

Are you a writer? Want to promote your work or a favorite book while helping to promote literacy? Email me a photo of you and your dog reading together and I'll post it here with your name, the name of your dog, your book's title, your website link, and a short quote. Quick! Before Teddy yaps at your heels in pursuit, grab a book, a camera and call your doggie pal and start reading!

Links:  All about animal assisted literacy

A book-collecting Yorkie named Scout

Meet Scout, an avid book-collector and wannabe writer, who insists that her owner, writer Deb Whitaker, only read bestsellers and books on writing. As you can see, she's a fan of Art Plotnik's Spunk!

Meet two of our resident literary pooches Waco and Freddie

You've seen Teddy, our budding reading mentor, now it's time to meet the rest of the boys. Waco,the Great Pyrennes, is a rescue from the Texas Great Pyrennes Rescue, and was named Waco the Wonder Dog. He even came with his own red cape with a blazing W. Waco's ambition is to become a service therapy dog and to help kids learn to read.

Freddie, the shaggy Maltese, is another rescue found roaming the streets near my home. Animal Control picked him up and I immediately tagged him if no one claimed him. He loves to stand up on his hind legs and do the dancing bear routine. He's an entertainer at heart and is interested in learning some Rally and agility tricks. But even Freddie can settle down for a good read after a hard workout. Freddie is also a fashion diva. He's the only boy who keeps a well-turned closet full of shirts, jackets and hoodies. He was just a bag of bones when I got him. His little hips formed two triangles and he didn't have an ounce of fat. So he gets cold easy. Also, someone must have dressed him because when I hold a shirt over his head, his head ducks and he puts his front paws up. Freddie loves picture books.

Arthur Plotnik reads to an enraptured canine fan

Yes, it's Art Plotnik, author of Spunk & Bite: A Guide to Punchier, More Engaging Langugae & Style. He sent me this photograph when he returned from a trip to France. Apparently the cultured dogs of Europe appreciate a good read, too. 

Here Plotnik reads to Hagis, a French dog apparently riveted by Plotnik's reading of Thomas Mann's The Beloved in Returns: Lotte in Weimar.

Check out Spunk & Bite: A Writer’s Guide to Punchier, More Engaging Language & Style. and see for yourself why so many are praising Plotnik's latest work. You might also want to visit Art's website, Spunky's Blogrr, and read Art's official bio. If you haven't already, take a look at my review of The Elements of Authorship.  (Let's hope Spunky doesn't get too jealous . . . .)