Photograph Courtesy of Skyhorse Publishing
Randy Grim, founder of Stray Rescue of St. Louis, and writer Melinda Roth, formerly of the RFT, just co-authored a hysterical, poignant book called Don’t Dump the Dog. Grim’s point? The problem’s with the humans.
You got your therapist to analyze the people who returned their dogs to your shelter?
I didn’t want my shrink to think I was crazy.
What are the usual excuses?
“He barks”—did they think he was going to sing Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus? “Allergic”—five years after adopting the dog. “Boyfriend doesn’t like the dog”—so dump the boyfriend! “He was white as a puppy, but he’s gotten darker, and I have all white furniture”—she wanted to trade him in for one that was whiter!
Who should be allowed to have a high-energy dog?
Anybody whose car has a ski- or bike-rack on top. That said, this book is geared toward the lazy person, which is myself. If I can put my recliner on the back porch and just keep throwing the Frisbee, I’d rather do that than pay for a month of obedience training that won’t fix the hyperness.
Actress Loretta Swit’s coming to the book launch—how’d you swing Hot Lips?
She contacted me years ago about my work, and we became friends. Also there’s a party with MADtv’s Jill-Michelle Meléan doing stand-up. I just hope the book takes off—I’m banking on it so I can build a new shelter!
Book launch August 1, free and open to the public 1–4 p.m.; ticketed party 8 p.m.–midnight. Moto Museum, 3441 Olive, 314-771-6121, strayrescue.org.
