Memory of a Happy Random Dog Encounter

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Several years ago I stumbled upon a used book store a few miles from my house. Unlike the one in my neighborhood, which was 90 percent romance novels and pulp sci-fi, this place was well organized and had a pretty good selection. The best thing it had, though, was Jake, the owner’s Golden Retriever.

The first time I went in the dog, resplendent in his red bandana and backpack came over, sat down and extended his paw. The owner said, “Jake welcomes you to our store.” I, of course, shook his paw and thanked Jake for his courtesy, thinking it was a cute gimmick. The owner said, “You looking for anything in particular today?”

I said, “Do you have a history section?” The owner said, “Sure do. Just follow Jake.” Then he said, “Jake! History!” The dog hopped up and walked over to the first shef in the history section. As I was walking, the owner said, “Just give Jake a yell when you find what you want.”

I walked over to Jake, gave him a scratch behind the ear and started browsing. Jake went over and lay down behind the counter. After I’d looked around and found a couple of things I wondered what was next. I said, “Jake!” and heard the dog making his way back. When he got over to me he gave a quick nose flip to the books I had in my hand, turned around and sat down. Then he looked over his shoulder at me a couple of times until I got the message. I put the books in his backpack, and he stood up and walked me over to the counter, where the owner rang me up. To be honest, I was kind of surprised Jake didn’t do it himself.

On the counter was a bowl of just larger than training sized doggie treats and a sign that said, “Tips for Jake.”

Needless to say, I became a regular customer, right up until the time Jake retired to The Bridge and the owner closed the shop.

What are your favorite random dog encounters?

2

I went to the movies, and Jake and his owner were sitting next to me.

Jake was amazing. He whimpered during the scary scenes, growled when the bad guy was plotting against the heroine, and wagged his tail when the hero and heroine first kissed.

I said to Jake’s owner “I find your dog’s behavior very surprising!”

“Frankly, so do I”, said his owner. “He hated the book.”

Regards,
Shodan

3

FallenAngel, that is an awesome story.

4

It was an awesome store, and he was an incredible dog. I wouldn’t be surprised if the reason the owner closed up was because he just couldn’t deal with going in to work without Jake there. The amount of time they must have spent working together, both to build Jake’s talents and putting them to use in the store must have been massive.

When my beloved Bitz passed in January, one of the last things I told her was to look Jake up when she got to the other side. He was a big blond boy who was smart and fun. I’m sure they’re getting along great.

5

Awww, what a sweetheart Jake sounds. Awesome story!

6

I think the OP won the thread.

I used to work in a bookstore that had a dog. The owners had a Sheltie named Holly who occasionally came in to work with them. She was actually pretty mellow as Shelties go. Holly’s successor was Abby, who was a bit of a nutcase. I think the owners felt (and I silently agreed, though by then I didn’t work there anymore) that Abby was a bit too hyper to be a store dog.

But Holly’s portrait hung in the store until the owners retired and closed it. :slight_smile:

Hmmm, random dog encounter. A dog person like me must have had one, right?

OK, got one. I was driving home from the aforementioned bookstore job, 40 miles in the dark through the first winter storm of the season, in my week-old brand new car. I came up to a rural four-way stop that was controlled by stop signs and flashing red lights, and there was quite a line (intersection of two highways). Traffic was moving oddly, and I was horrified to see a dog running around between the slow-moving cars.

I pulled into a nearby parking lot and somehow managed to corral him. There was nothing for it but to put this big, boisterous, wet, and muddy dog into the back seat of my BRAND NEW CAR. My own dogs hadn’t even been in it yet! I managed to read his tags, but they had only the vet’s number. So first I had to find a pay phone (no cell phone yet), about 10 miles away in the nearest town, and try the vet’s number at this late hour. Fortunately someone answered and was able to give me the owner’s number. Turned out he lived about a mile from where I picked up the dog, who was apparently an escape artist.

Even with all the hassle, I was glad to do it. I wouldn’t have been able to sleep if I’d left him loose at that intersection.

7

There’s a hardware store not too far from here. Duchess and Isabelle were the resident mutts, and there’s usually a cat or two hanging around as well. The late Duchess didn’t do much, but Isabelle was a helper. The first time I was in the store a patron said he needed duct tape. The proprietress said, ‘Isabelle! Duct tape!’, and the black Lab-looking dog went and got a roll. The patron said he needed two rolls, and the order went out: ‘Two rolls!’ Isabelle got another one.

I’ve seen her retrieve other things, but she didn’t work as much as Jake seems to have. No backpack, and she doesn’t greet customers. I don’t know how old she is, but she’s looking a bit grey around the muzzle. I should think of something I need at the hardware store.

8

To the OP: nothing in my life comes close to that, and I am a big time dog lover.

p.s. “The Bridge”?

9

Wow. That’s a very cool F’ng story.

10

The Rainbow Bridge, I would believe. Jake has gone to heaven and is just waiting for his owner to meet him some day.

11

That totally describes me and my buddy Boomer. We are now in our 18th year together. I’m hoping that when the time comes, we reunite, he has his ability to hear and see clearly, and will return to being the ultimate fetch dog.

*pwd

12

I’m usually pretty immune to stuff like this (I like to think) but now I’m all fuzzy.

What a cool freakin’ dog. Thanks for the story!