Sad Library Dog May Be Minnesota’s Most Popular Pooch: Photos

WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN — Sting, the sad, forlorn looking dog none of the kids wanted to read to earlier this month at a library event that promotes literacy, may now be the most popular dog in Minnesota. About 60 people showed up at the White Bear Library Wednesday to read to Sting, celebrate him and shower the retired greyhound racetrack dog with gifts — including a care package of Milk-Bone dog treats.

Truth be told, humans who saw 10-year-old Sting’s picture on social media were probably sadder than the dog was when no one signed up to read to him in the “Paws to Read” program. Greyhounds have long faces — cue the clichés — and Sting was wearing his normal look when his owner, John Muellner, took the now famous pictures and posted them on Facebook.

The photos were shared more than 100,000 times, giving the Paws to Read program a huge boost in attention, which made Muellner, if not Sting himself, smile.

Sting is now booked through April at Paws to Read sessions, which helps kids of all ages improve their literacy skills by reading aloud to a non-judgmental audience. Similar programs are held at libraries across Minnesota.

Sting, a therapy dog, comforts sick kids at Gillette Children's Hospital and adults in long-term care facilities.

See More: Sad Dog Inundated With Requests From Kids Who Want To Read To Him

"At Gillette Children's Hospital, he just tends to wander up to patients, their family or staff nice and slow looking for a pet," Muellner told Patch earlier this month after the sad-faced dog won the internet. "First thing people can't believe is how soft and quiet he is. At the library he's usually already laying down and the kids just plop down next to him. We tell the kids to show him the pictures, because that's the part he likes best. We used to go to a couple other hospitals, but I've decided since he's turned 10 last month, he can take it a bit easier."

That’s what prompted him to enroll Sting in the Paws to Read program.

"I wanted to find a different environment to be involved in, and the library seemed a good one," Muellner said. "He's so easygoing, and honestly it gave him a chance to do what he does best, lay there and look adorable. The library shoots for the age of 4 to around 8 years old, so they can help them work on their confidence in reading and reading out loud. And I find it very rewarding to see the looks on their faces at the end."

Photos courtesy of Milk-Bone