It all kicked off with March Meowness.
When the Worcester, Massachusetts, Public Library began offering fee forgiveness in exchange for cat photos, they never anticipated the resulting frenzy. This clever initiative sparked inspiration among many, particularly dog enthusiasts.
A specific library, however, had no late fees but still imposed charges for damaged books. What could be done? How could they ensure “book safety at home”?
Middleton Public Library came up with a creative solution:
Present us with the culprit and the debt will vanish.
My Dog Destroyed My Book
Literally.
My dog chewed the book – the one I just borrowed from the public library.
Dog lovers in Middleton, Wisconsin, can now breathe easy regarding library fees. The Middleton Public Library has eliminated late fees and has vowed to forgive any book damage fees as well.
But there’s one condition: you must show us the guilty pup who chewed the book, and all is forgiven.
This compassionate initiative was inspired by the Worcester Public Library. They pioneered the idea of waiving fees as part of their March Meowness festivities.
The residents of Worcester no longer dreaded late fees as their cats were the reason for getting out of paying hefty fines. And for those in Middleton…
“While the Middleton Public Library no longer has late fees for overdue items, we do charge for lost or damaged materials. The discussion quickly shifted to how frequently our furry companions damage materials, and we thought it would be fun to adapt this fine waiver program to spotlight these ‘offenders,’” library staff shared with The Dodo.
If your dog destroyed your book? No worries! Just show us the adorable culprit, and it’s all good.
Oh, wouldn’t life be perfect if we could escape duties with adorable pet photos!
The Canine Offenders of Middleton
The book damage waiver program was up and running, and the first offenders had already emerged!
Daisy, the most adorable black-and-white dog, was the first to make an impression by snacking on a thrilling mystery novel.
Before long, Daisy was joined by others on the wall of fame (and yes, fame, because these pups possess no shame).
Ward expressed his anxiety by choosing to chew on a yoga book. Did his stress relief exercises work? Not exactly, especially not in the downward dog position.
Then came Quik, the American Water Spaniel, whose antics went viral, transforming the Middleton Public Library into a beloved spot.
Quik created some truly terrible dog ears on a book, quite literally.
It truly was a delightful read, and Quik wholeheartedly agreed.
Then there was Sky, eager to join the book munching frenzy.
“Today’s snack enthusiast is Sky, a one-year-old Australian Labradoodle who resides with Stephanie. Sky had been immersed in the popular Empyrean fantasy novel series until he reached book two, Iron Flame. After expressing his sentiments across all 623 pages, Sky returned to his favorite pastime: chasing squirrels,” the library reported on Facebook.
Who will be the next furry friend to partake in literary adventures? Exciting reads are on the horizon! While Middleton Library does not promote intentional book damage, they reassure owners that if accidents occur, it’s no issue, whether it’s your dog or another furry companion.
If your dog has a history of mischief, consider evaluating what may be triggering this behavior. Sure, your pup may enjoy books, but perhaps boredom is the culprit?
Anxiety, boredom, or feelings of insecurity could all lead to destructive actions in your dog. To help mitigate this, provide engaging activities to keep your furry friend entertained while you’re occupied.
Keep in mind that not every library offers a forgiveness policy like that of Middleton’s.
