By Joanne Dorr
The Haldimand Press
CALEDONIA—This past Saturday many adoring fans showed up to a book launch at Just One in downtown Caledonia. Ernie the Perfectly Wonderful Bad Therapy Dog is a children’s book written by Nicole Selby and Tamara Botting and illustrated by Kira Alexanian. The book tells the story of Ernie, a therapy dog who works throughout Haldimand County.
Selby says, “Ernie is quite a character because he is unusual looking. He only has tufts of hair on his head, toes, and tail. He also has very few teeth, so his tongue hangs out the side of his mouth all the time.”
Being a Chinese Crested and Beagle cross, Ernie’s looks can be attributed to his breeding; however Ernie’s personality is what makes him an ideal subject for a children’s book.
Selby affectionately describes Ernie’s on-duty demeanour: “When he is working he is so well behaved; he is quiet, gentle, and polite.”
Ernie has good reason to keep it professional while on duty, as over the years he has developed a very impressive resume. Adult day cares, Children’s Aid Society, Community Living, special needs programs, and ‘Paws Rooms’ at secondary schools are just some of the places where Ernie has helped a variety of people.
Selby says Ernie makes a big impact everywhere he goes. While Ernie is an expert therapy dog, Selby guarantees that at the end of the workday, Ernie knows it’s time to “let his hair down!”
“When he is home, he’s a little troublemaker – jumping on the couch and throwing the pillows off,” says Selby, adding, “He picks on his other doggie siblings and chases wildlife and climbs up the trees to get squirrels.”
Selby thinks that Ernie the Perfectly Wonderful Bad Therapy Dog is a great book for kids as it reminds both children and parents that we all have to let loose sometimes. To honour Ernie’s commitment, proceeds from the book will go back into programs that Ernie is a part of.
For every copy sold, funds will go toward Pages, Pens, & Paws (PPP), an organisation dedicated to “pairing specially crafted books, literacy events, and animal assisted reading programs to share the joy of reading with a child.”
Selby adds, “The goal was never to make money off the book but to put money back into children’s literacy.”
Funds will support program development. One such program is the inaugural Kid’s Corner at The Canadian Pet Expo in Mississauga on November 18 and 19. Working with Pandamonium Publishing, Kid’s Corner aims to bring children, books, and animals together to engage in reading and storytelling. PPP’s Kid’s Corner will be the first time such a program will be featured at Pet Expo.
If you were not able to attend the book launch, you can purchase your own copy of Ernie the Perfectly Wonderful Bad Therapy Dog online at pandamoniumpublishing.com. Alternatively, anyone wanting to learn more about Pages, Pens, & Paws can visit pagespenspaws.com.
