By Susan Spisak
Think libraries are just for people? Think again! Stockton Springs has recently created their own canine edition, and it’s a big hit! And in Gardiner, their public library has a retired racing Greyhound named Sparrow, a CGC, Advanced CGC, and Certified Therapy dog who visits regularly—he’s held in high regard and delights all!
Stockton Springs revolutionary version operates similarly to those "Little Free Library" for humans, but instead of books it’s stocked with tennis balls and sticks for pups to enjoy. The Dog Library, located at Sandy Point Beach, is the brainchild of longtime Public Works Director for Stockton Springs, George Russell.
“I have a woman that plays tennis weekly and does not reuse them. She’s been dropping them off at the town office for at least a year, and I was trying to figure a way to use them.” George added he had no idea that tennis balls might only be used once. Some recreational users are okay if a frequently used ball loses pressure and bounce, while the more serious players prefer to go with brand new balls. Their donor is a serious player, so the town may receive balls ongoingly.
The library solution came to him as George is a dog-lover, and he and wife Rochelle have a pack of three, so he’s in tune with what makes them happy. George built the tall, wooden box library himself, and added the tennis balls. For diversity, he cut fresh sticks from roadside brush and added them to the library as well. He restocks balls and sticks three times a week to ensure beachgoers have an assortment to choose from. And yes, his dogs, Toy Poodle, Joey, and rescued mutts, Rivers and Remi, love the addition when frolicking on Sandy Point Beach.
George Russell, creator of Stockton Springs Dog Library & Library with recent upgrades.
Bringing this innovation to the beach is just part of who he is: “I always try to go above and beyond with my job; I have worked for the town for 29 years.” But George laughed and said he didn’t stop there. “I tried to think outside the box,” he said chuckling, then went on to explain that he found a retired fire hydrant from a neighboring town and installed it near The Dog Library for another level of canine appreciation.
George is thrilled with the reception. “Everyone seems to love it,” he said, adding “I just can’t believe how much it has exploded. My guess is that there will be many more as people duplicate this.” George’s innovative concept may catch on across the state and beyond. While it’s great for dogs, it’s convenient for pet parents. They can take their pets to the beach and not worry about packing toys. Playing fetch with a ball or stick is a marvelous way to make a dog’s day and tire them out. And the unique library fosters a sense of community pride for dog owners who utilize the beautiful beach. (For safety, please remember to monitor your pets while they play with balls or sticks.)
As far as 6-year-old Sparrow, Alice Clark adopted him in 2021 after he’d spent six months in a prison program in CT. Prior to that he was a racing dog, and she wanted to clear misconceptions on that competitive sport. “I’ve talked previously with Sparrow’s past owner from his track days, and he definitely loves his dogs in much the same way that the average person in the equestrian world loves and cares for his show jumping or racehorses. They’re fit athletes and they’re fed well, too.”
Alice said her dog trainer remarked that her pet would make a great therapy volunteer. “Sparrow had already become fairly well known around town in Gardiner at that point and I could see how happy he made people who got to interact with him, so I liked her idea….We’ve only been in Gardiner since the beginning of 2023, and we really love this town, so it feels good to be involved and share some dog joy. Sparrow’s warm and calm nature seems to just draw people right in.”
She added, “Sparrow is very gentle and patient with children, which is why I knew he’d be perfect for volunteering at the library. I train together with him every day, and he’s got some impressive skills. He knows that when we go into the children’s library and put his special blanket on the ground, that means it’s time to sit calmly with the kids and read some books.”
As much as Sparrow enjoys it, the Gardiner Public Library treasures Sparrow and Alice. Jess Betit, the Young Adult Librarian said the therapy duo are a lot of fun. Jess added she has not met a single person that hasn’t fallen in love with Sparrow. She said Sparrow’s calm and kind when he senses those around him need a quiet approach. If he feels they can manage his exuberance, he’s there for them! He’ll even do what Alice says are silly tricks. “For instance, I can ask him to flop over on his side on cue, and that always gets giggles.” Overall, she said he is a library rockstar.
The Greyhound holds court at the “Come and Read to Sparrow the Dog!” These 15-minute read-aloud sessions are geared towards children ages 6 to 9, but all reading levels are welcome. Sparrow likes the children as much as they like him. Alice said greeting kids and getting treats after reading to them is his favorite reward. “Jess keeps a box of treats for him, and he throws himself at her feet in excitement to get them.”
In addition to the reading program, Sparrow visits those of all ages who attend the library’s morning Friday Coffee Talk. He doesn’t stop there—he’s very civic-oriented thanks to his mom. He attends the town’s Trick or Treat event (last year he was a giraffe) as well as the Christmas Parade of Lights Festival, walking with the Gardiner Library group. The parade is a part of Gardiner's "Days of Light" celebration, which includes various other activities, including the Tree Lighting.