There will be no doubt that Forest Park Branch Library is "going to the dogs." Springfield Police Department K-9 Unit officer Tim Morrow will bring his German Shepherd and companion Hammer to Forest Park Branch Library for a fun and informative program.  Officer Morrow will demonstrate to patrons the many ways that his dog helps him to both solve and prevent crime in the city.   Come and join staff member Maureen and branch manager Reggie Wilson for an afternoon of fun:

Morrow will also bring a show dog and therapy dog to demonstrate dogs in different roles than his crime-fighting K-9 Hammer.  The therapy dog goes to nursing homes to cheer up residents.  The show dog is from the Springfield Kennel Club.

The East Forest Park Branch Library mascot Ms. Zoe (pictured to the right), a rare American Samoyed dog, recently agreed to come over to  Forest Park Branch Library to take part in the program.  To have your child photographed next to the beautiful, friendly Ms. Zoe, please bring your camera. 

The program will be on the front lawn at Forest Park Library (on the Belmont Avenue side).  In case of rain, It will be held in our community room.

Reviewed by Reggie Wilson

Real Food for Dogs author Arden Moore got an early introduction as a child to home cooking for the family pet.  Moore's father received disturbing news from the family veterinarian concerning their beloved beagle Crackers' health. Crackers (a.k.a. Pickle Barrel because of his rotund body) had to go on a diet immediately.   The "old school" vet suggested that the family home-cook for their pet.  Moore admits that home-cooking for a pet seems strange at first, but eventually, "we became Crackers' personal chefs, preparing healthy, low-calorie meals of steamed brown rice, vegetables, lean ground beef, and boiled chicken."  Crackers soon shed his excess pounds and Pickle Barrel nickname.  He lived to the age of sixteen years old.

Drawing from her fond childhood memories of home cooking, Moore has compiled fifty vet-approved recipes that will have your dog howling its approval for her easy-to-make recipes such as Gobble Down Goulash and Canine Casserole.