STOW: Some local children would argue that there is no better way to spend a chilly Sunday afternoon than reading to their favorite furry friends at the library.
Nearly every other Sunday, Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library allows a special select group of therapy dogs to visit and invites readers from kindergarten through sixth grade to come read to them.
"You just never know what connections are going to be made," said participant Ruth Drew. "We have kids who are afraid of dogs who come. We also have kids come who have just lost their dog and are grieving. It's therapeutic."
Drew said she loves to see the smiles on the children’s faces when they read to the therapy dogs.
"It's good way to encourage them to read," she said.
All the therapy dogs at Bow Wow Book Buddies have a story that makes them unique.
Like Micadoo, a border collie, whose owners Amanda and Vanessa Burke adopted him from Paws and Prayers. Prior to his adoption, Micadoo lived in the pound. It was suspected that his previous owners might have abandoned him.
Micadoo's owners were inspired by his story because in spite of everything the dog went through he still had a good temperament and loved people.
"He loves kids," participant Amanda Burke said. "I love seeing how excited he gets. The joy that it brings is so cool."
Amanda and Vanessa Burke wrote a book entitled "Micadoo Blue" that is inspired by their favorite furry companion. The book is due to be published in early spring.
The book is about Micadoo trying to fins his place and trying to fit in. In the book, Micadoo has a blue tipped tail that makes him different.
"Everyone is different in one way or another," Amanda Burke said.
Amanda said she just wants her younger readers to realize that, "it's OK to be different."
Addison Snider, 6, made sure to greet all the furry visitors at the library. She has a dog at home, but she said that she couldn’t read to him because he is "too crazy."
Micadoo let her read to him and, according to her mother, he looks a lot like her dog at home.
Addison also read "Finding Nemo" to a Shih Tzu named Ernie and she made certain to show Eddie all the pictures.
Ernie laid peacefully and quietly next to Addison as she read to him.
When she finished reading to him she thanked Ernie for "really listening."
The next Bow Wow Book Buddies event will be from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the library, located at 3512 Darrow Road.
