Reading Buddy Bookmarks

Cabana really enjoys being a reading buddy. Every Friday, we go to the local Boys & Girls Club, and she "listens" while 7-10 kids read to her. Now she knows what's coming when I put on her therapy jacket and she prances the 2 blocks to the club. When we arrive, the kids, who have just eaten lunch, are so excited to see her, and Cabana loves the commotion. She doesn't jump or get crazy, mostly I think because her nose is in heaven as she sniffs the kids with all their cacophony of scents--sweat, sunscreen, detergent, and FOOD.

Before we sit down on the green naugahyde couch for stories, the kids always want to see Cabana do a few tricks. Their favorite is to cover their ears with their hands (in preparation of what's to come) and say, "Cabana, SPEAK!" When Cabana lets out her deep and booming single bark, they are startled every time by how loud and unlike her it is. It's hilarious, and I have to say, it still surprises me every time, too! I think it even surprises Cabana herself because sometimes, she tries to do a quiet, muffled little "erf", but that never satisfies the kids. They ask her to speak until they get a true resounding "ROWFF".

Last week, I took a photo of each student sitting next to Cabana. I inserted the photos into a bookmark that I designed, printed them, and had them laminated. Tomorrow, I'll hand them out to the kids.

This is manageable for the Boys & Girls Club because it's the same kids every time. But I would like to have some bookmarks professionally printed with a generic photo so I can hand them out whenever I can't give personalized bookmarks.

I can't decide which photo of Cabana I want to use. Which do you like best?

The text on the bookmarks reads, "Cabana is a 2-year-old yellow labrador retriever. She is called a 'career change dog' because she was supposed to work as a Guide Dog for the Blind. But because she was too 'dog distracted', her new career is being a reading buddy and a spoiled pet. Cabana can do lots of tricks like sit, stay, touch, take a bow, shake hands, and everyone's favorite, speak! Her favorite activities are going to the beach, playing with doggy pals, jumping in mud puddles, and most of all, eating."