Some companies
have Bring-your-daughter-to-work day. Others have
Bring-your-dog-to-work policies. I get a version of that, people who
bring their dogs to my book events.
One of the most fun
parts of my job is when people bring their Great Danes to my
signings. (For those of you who don't know, one of the characters in
my books is a 170-pound Harlequin Great Dane named Spot.)
I've had people as
young as 11 and as old as 70-something show up with their Danes. It's
a joy because the dogs are always so fun to meet. The sweet,
lean-against-your-leg friendliness of a Dane that's just met you is
what immediately wins the affection of everybody, even those who
claim to not be dog lovers.
One hot summer day in Sacramento, Jon, an 11-year-old, brought his Dane to one of my signings.
The store owner had left on an errand. It was so hot outside that I
made an executive decision and let the dog into the air-conditioned
bookstore. The dog lay on the floor, soaking up attention from every
person.
The tiny store cat
walked right over, sprawled on the carpet next to the Dane, whose jaw
was stretched out, chin-to-carpet. The cat stretched out his head,
and the two animals sniffed each other's noses. Seven pounds of cat
nose-to-nose with a 150-pound dog.
When the store
owner came back, he was astonished that his cat had come up to lie
next to the Dane.
“He always runs
and hides from any dog,” he said.
“Not from Great Danes,” I said.
The store owner wondered why.
I explained when a cat sees a Great
Dane, they often feel a sense of safety. I told him about our own cat
and how he instinctively knew that seeing a terrier was like looking
the Grim Reaper in the eye, but a Great Dane created the opposite
reaction.
When our Great
Dane was snoozing, sprawled out on her side, our cat would climb
right up on the dog and lie down on her. Other times, when our dog
was curled up in a semi-circle, our cat would step into the center of
her curved body and curl up in her embrace.
Great Danes are imposing because of
their size. But a cat can sense the personality separate from size.
Just maybe, to a cat, a Great Dane's personality and size add up to a
safe zone, especially important if a terrier comes into the room.
Wish I could "Like" this post!
ReplyDelete-Joan
Thanks! Unfortunately, I'm not yet set up for "likes!" Eventually, I'll join the 21st century!
DeleteTodd
I was in the Citrus Heights (Sacramento County) bookstore when that young man was in the store with his Great Dane. I was there to purchase your 9th book, I believe. I went to Tahoe City to purchase 2 copies of your 10th book and have them signed. I bought the 2nd copy for my mother, whom I had gotten hooked on your books over that summer. I can't wait to tell her #11 is coming out. August is her birthday and I will, once again, get her a signed copy of your book for her birthday. (My husband took a picture of me with you, holding the book). Thanks, Todd! Sue Treadwell
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue! I remember you and that day well.
Delete