Connie Brooks and Red see one another almost every day, they have formed a connection during the book tour for “Second Chance Dog,” and I think sometimes Red is working as hard for me as he can. He has figured out his role in the bookstore, which is to greet every single person who comes into the store in  his quiet and affectionate way. While we were signing books, a man came in (I named him Steve) who was looking for a specific book.

He was very businesslike, not interested in us or our book table (writers know this phenomena, some people ask you what you are doing, some people come into bookstores when you are signing books and avoid eye contact for fear they’ll have to buy a book). He went to the back of the store and Red, tail wagging, came over to him. Nothing, no acknowledgement, no nod, not even a smile, unusual for Red and something he is not used to.

He came back, then in a couple of minutes he tried the man again – he had moved – same response, nothing. This went on for four or five minutes, and then the man appeared in the mystery section and Red seemed to sense the moment, he came up behind him quietly and put his nose to Steve’s knee. Steve looked down, as if seeing Red for the first time, and then smiled, he leaned over and patted Red on the head, and Red offered his paw and spoke softly with him. Red, looking quite satisfied, came back to our table and lay down. Red has been in the store for every book signed, and I feel like Connie, her mother Marilyn, Kate Reid are all part of our family. They do not complain, but they have worked so very hard at this project, and I hope they get some rest over the holidays. They are quite wondeful.