Arf!  My name is Tchaika, like the composer Tchaikovsky.  It means seagull in Russian.  But I come from Lakeland,  Florida, not Russia.   I am a yellow Labrador Retriever.   I was born on January 17, 1998 so how old does that make me?   I also became a registered READing Dog on January 17, 2009.  Isn’t that fantastic?   

I used to come with my mom to school when she taught first grade and I love to READ so READing Paws was the perfect thing for me as I start to slow down a little in my old age.  I have hunting titles; obedience titles, flyball titles, and I’ve been a therapy dog for Hospice of the Comforter for 4 years.  I’ve even been a model for Harley- Davidson doggie apparel. 

I love wagging my tail!  I even wag it when I swim.  Sometimes my mom takes me with her to help dogs with rude doggie manners learn to be polite.  I love to be petted and have my belly rubbed and my soft ears stroked so come look for me at schools, libraries, and bookstores this year.   Pick out a favorite book and READ it to me, please.

WWFN,  email me at tchaika@READingPaws.org and I’ll try and write you back.