I went to Battenkill Books with Red today to sign some books people had purchased from Connie Brooks and wanted me to personalize. I haven’t put up a picture of Connie or the bookstore in awhile, and I like to mention them often, Battenkill is my local bookstore, a beautiful bookstore, and Red is deeply attached to it, we have spent many Saturday and other mornings in the store.

Red loves to greet people, especially children. Connie went to sit down and talk with me, and I had this idea that it would be nice to get a photo of her with Red. Red has never jumped up onto any chair, in our home or anywhere, certainly not without permission. I recall the idea flashing through my mind that it would be sweet if Red would come up to her, but I never asked him to jump up, and he has never jumped up onto a chair with or without someone in it.

He is not permitted on chairs, and as a therapy dog, he is scrupulous about not moving towards people without being asked.

Suddenly, he climbed up and onto Connie’s lap and the two of them just fell into the other’s arms, Red tucked his head against her chest and she held him for several minutes. Truthfully, it was a very beautiful thing to see. Red and I are telepathic, we know what the other is thinking, I only have to blink or turn my head – or even think of an image – and he responds to it.

We are both very connected to this store, it is a part of our community, of my creative life, and a part of Red’s as well. We have been to many readings there, many books signings, many visits to see Connie or buy a book.

It was very clear to me that Red knew what I wanted and what I needed, perhaps more than I did. He is the most remarkably sweet and intuitive animal, I am ever grateful to Dr. Karen Thompson, one of the great breeders I have known, for him.