Rescue Rottweiler Helps Kids Learn to Love to Read

[Bucky's Mom]

HE'S GOT THE ROT STUFF

By HEIDI SINGER - THE NEW YORK POST
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October 26, 2005 -- Meet Bugsy, the news hound.
The gentle giant of a Rottweiler not only helps kids learn to read by turning book pages, he keeps Posted in his favorite paper, where he catches up on the mayoral race yesterday.

And now, he has a new distinction - he was named Dog of the Year by the ASPCA.

The formerly neglected pooch, rescued by animal trainer Doug MacIntosh, is so sweet and good-natured around children that he became the city's first canine member of the Paws'N'Books tutoring program.

Every Monday, Bugsy helps first-graders learn to read at PS 84 in Astoria.

Bugsy can turn pages with his nose and his paws, but mostly, he lies next to a child who's working on reading out loud.

"It's amazing to see a kid who really couldn't read that well struggling to do it - to make the dog happy," said MacIntosh.

[bolt94]

That's a great story. But, it looks like Bugsy could use a manicure!

[Patty1231]

What a beautiful, wonderful boy!!!

[MontanaRott]

What a GREAT story!!!!! He is a beautiful boy inside and out!

[Tank's Grandma]

What a great story!

[Leatherho]

What a GREAT story . It's great to hear some GOOD press for a change regarding Rotties. All you ever seem to hear about is the negative. BRAVO to the NY Post for this ! The first Rottie girl I owned LOVED children....she had a special way of even getting the kids that were afraid of her to trust and love her in an instant.... LOVE...LOVE...LOVE this magnificent breed !!!!!

[Dee]

Beautiful story!!!!!! So happy to see a rottweiler getting nice publicity! Bobbi, our little girl, Penny, also loved children so much. She had such a sweet and gentle way about her that she was a child magnet. In the short time she was with us she made many friends wherever she went and changed a lot of people's views of this wonderful breed.

Turning the pages - what a cool thing to teach a dog!!!! Those children sure are LUCKY to have a pal like Bugsy to help them!

[Leatherho]

Dee, I know what you mean. Our sweet girl Kisha would gather SOOOOOO much attention at my kids sports games that they would almost forget to watch the kids play ! I think she was just an attention hog !!!! What a sweet girl she was. We miss her so. Her and Penny are probably friends over that bridge. What a happy thought that is. My oldest son would bring her to school for pet show and tell. She would go CRAZY at the attention. They would freak out when he came in with this huge dog bc the other kids had turtles, fish etc...in proudly trots this 90 lb Rottie ! They freaked out until she would lather their faces with wet Rottie kisses and insist they scratch her ears...She was too funny ! Silly, silly girl !

[ElsasFamily]

That's such a cool idea. I'll bet all of those kids enjoy reading even more. What great PR for this wonderful breed

[Lynny]

I have that article hanging on my fridge.

[RoXy123]

aaahhhh how sweet, nice to hear positive storie for once!!! but we already knew what kind gentle giants they are!!!