Amadeus is an author

Traveling dog will visit Topeka to share safety tips

HERE COMES AMADEUS

Amadeus the Traveling Dog will be passing through Topeka:

When: 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday

Where: Hastings, 5317 S.W. 22nd Place

AMADEUS THE TRAVELING DOG

What: Amadeus the traveling dog

Breed: Great Pyrenees

Age: 2 years old

Owner: Mary Cofer

On the Web: www.eeinc.org or e-mail amadeus@eeinc.org

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Amadeus the Traveling Dog will be in Topeka on Thursday to share animal safety tips.

SUBMITTED

Amadeus meets a puppy during one of his trips across the country.

By Heather Jones

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Most dogs aren't commonly refered to as writers, but Amadeus the Traveling Dog has three books under his fur.

The idea to write these stories evolved from Amadeus' interactions with other people and his experiences through his growing years.

"From the time he was a little fur-ball of a puppy, Amadeus had a gift of engaging people," said Mary Cofer, owner and handler.

The stories are written as though Amadeus were writing from the first person, dealing with the places he visits, the children he meets and his exciting adventures he has had through his growing years.

"His perspective is very similar to a child's perspective, especially since he is still a puppy," said Cofer, who does the writing from Amadeus' viewpoint.

Amadeus will turn 2 on Nov. 11.

His first three books: "Friendship Rules," "Aloha Adventure" and "Mystery of the Golden Pearls" each were published in September of this year. They can be ordered from his Web site for $14 each.

"Friendship Rules" is the story of how Amadeus met his kitten friend, Penny. It explains how they made rules to keep their friendship healthy and strong and is intended to teach children how to make and keep friends.

"Aloha Adventure" is the story of how Amadeus used his imagination one rainy day to take a trip to the Hawaiian Islands.

"Mystery of the Golden Pearls" is an adventure story where children at a Halloween Festival become characters in an imaginative mystery saga.

"First, we develop a prototype book and have our market research team read the story to children and record their reactions, questions and comments," Cofer said. "It takes about a year to complete the process from the idea to the finished product."

In addition to writing, Amadeus and Cofer travel to cities across the nation visiting children ages 3 to 10 in schools, libraries, hospitals and bookstores. He is allowed to enter places where other dogs can't because he is registered with the American Kennel Club as a Canine Good Citizen, which he received in March.

"We could tell when he was a puppy that he was wonderful with people," Cofer said.

During his Topeka appearance, Cofer will offer tips on how to approach a dog safely, the best ways that dogs like to be petted and how to avoid triggering a dog bite or attack.

Heather Jones is an intern from Washburn University. She can be reached at (785) 295-1180.

4B

OCTOBER 18, 2004

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Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.