Whiskers and tales

ST. LOUIS -- There was a miracle of sorts on a recent night at the Oak Bend Branch of the St. Louis County Library.

Nine children, 10 dogs and two cats were together in a room. There was no shouting or running, little barking or hissing. Just the sound of children reading aloud.

The children were between 5 and 9. The occasion was a gathering of Whiskers & Tales, a group that uses reading to an animal to relax readers and improve reading.

One of the group's founders, Karen Green, said, "Some kids don't want to read because they are embarrassed to read before their teachers, their parents or other kids. They are not afraid to read to a pet. A pet will not laugh and will not make fun of them."

Green teaches at the Special School District's Litzsinger School in Ladue. Her partner in the project is Suebee Baxter-Carr, a retired flight attendant, who lives in Wildwood. The two founded a St. Louis Chapter of Love on a Leash in 1996. Love on a Leash is a national all-volunteer organization of therapy pets based in Oceanside, Calif. Whiskers & Tales grew out of Love on a Leash.

The dogs and cats in Whiskers & Tales get extensive training. They also visit nursing homes, hospices, hospitals and special schools. They have shown they like children and can lie still while being read to.

Whiskers & Tales made its debut two years ago and has conducted programs at area libraries and schools. The only current session is at the Oak Bend Library.

Evan Hester, 7, of Oakland, was reading to a great, gray cat named Queen Cleopatra. The cat's slanted green eyes were nearly closed.

Evan would read a page or two and get down on the rug and go eye to eye with Cleo. He looked like he was trying to figure out what was in her mind. She didn't move. Evan loved her anyway.

The animals have their own business cards -- full-color with their pictures. The cards serve as bookmarks and are gifts from the children's animal friend.

Willie, a black Labrador mix, has a card shaped like a bone with jokes. "Willie says, dig up a good story to share."

The animals can do all sorts of tricks. Bailey the Beagle stands on his hind legs and begs the children to read to him.