LIBRARY DOGS.COM
| All-Around READing Dogs | ||
| New York ~ "Pete," "Matthew," & "Zeke |
Must be a book about something good to eat! Matthew’s first book was read to him at an adult care facility by a white-haired gentleman who was just learning to read. Matthew snuggled next to him while the man read, at first hesitantly, then stronger and clearer near the story’s end. When the gentleman asked Matthew how he did, Matthew sighed deeply and put his head on the man’s forearm. Friends forever, from that day on. Now Matthew enjoys reading with people of all ages. . Won't you please, pul-e-e-eze read to me? Zeke came to live with Deborah as a 7-month-old pup born after his breeder had passed away. Other pups were not so lucky, and some did not live long enough to find a forever home. Now the biggest Whippet in his pack, and with the softest heart, he’s a registered Delta Pet Partner and visits a lot of different places.
Yay, I'm a happy dog! Zeke has been welcomed into nursing homes, hospitals, special needs schools, and libraries. He likes being around people of all ages, but he especially likes the very young. At the library, the minute the book opens—watch out! He’s ready to cuddle, if the reader will let him. Stories with whippets in them include: Chuck and Danielle, by Peter Dickenson |
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Three lucky Whippets live with Deborah in Rochester, New York. Two were rescued as pups and one has an impressive pedigree—but all have been listening to children read for quite a while. They are familiar sights at the Victor Free Library as well as at Crestwood, a special needs school in Scottsville, New York. They are also looking forward to visiting other local libraries in the future. Whippets are sighthounds of a Greyhound-type breed. Larger than the Italian Greyhound and smaller than the more common Ggreyhound, Whippets are of a medium size, about 25 to 40 pounds. Once used for rabbit coursing competitions, these dogs were programmed to chase anything that moved with lightening speed. Eventually, rabbit coursing was made illegal, but whippet racing was born. Now, lure coursing is a sport where dogs chase a mechanically operated artificial lure around 600- to 800-yard course in an open field. This is a great way to test their basic instinct and preserve the functions for which they were originally bred. In early years, Whippets were often the most valuable item a working man owned. They lived in their owners' houses, sleeping by the fire or curled up in bed with their people. Instead of placing a warm brick in the bed to warm their feet, they could use their whippet! Many were said to be fed better than the miners' families. As their history indicates, today’s Whippets are house dogs. They are intensely affectionate and can be wonderful companions. Sometimes nicknamed “Velcro dogs,” Whippets love to be near their people all the time.
Pete, looking at the book but hanging Pete had another name before being rescued from his former “home,” if you could call it that. Just a 10-month-old puppy, he was abused with negative training and poor food until he stopped winning in the show ring and was literally thrown into a cage and forgotten. Although 12 pounds underweight, dirty and neglected, and with both hips dislocated, Pete never lost his love of people. In his new forever home with Deborah, Matthew, and Zeke, Pete began to blossom. He quickly earned his Canine Good Citizen award and then became a Delta Pet Partner.
Pete loves books, and he loves people. Like Matthew, Pete started reading with children at the library even before being officially registered with R.E.A.D. Obviously, this Whippet was quite advanced for his age! Pete’s least favorite book is Bath Time for Biscuit and his favorite is Walter the Farting Dog.
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