ANNE, SPELT WITH AN E ''Hello! Ruth, are you there? Hel-llloooo?'' I was in the Children''s Bookshop, surrounded by piles of books that needed to be squeezed onto shelves. The call seemed to come from a long way away, not just outside. I went out to have a look and saw a few customers inside and outside the shops. None of them seemed to be looking for me. I couldn''t see anyone on the footpath so I walked out to the road. Standing on the other side of the street was an elderly woman leaning up against an e-bike. ''Oh you are there!'' she said. ''Thank goodness!'' I didn''t recognise her but walked towards her.
''Are you all right?'' ''Oh yes, now that you are here. I have just come over from Te Anau on the bike trail to meet you and see your shop, but you have dogs everywhere.'' I looked back and saw that even though I had only four customers, there were three dogs racing around having a wonderful time together. Just as I was explaining that my bookshops are dog friendly, and there were only three of them, a fourth dog wandered out of the main shop, sauntered slowly over to the bucket of rainwater, had a long drink and then stretched out in the sun. ''Oh!'' the woman exclaimed, a touch of shock in her voice. ''Four dogs!'' I tried to explain that they were all friendly, and often came to the shop with their owners. ''I can introduce you if you want,'' I offered. ''No! No, that won''t be necessary.
I''ll just wait until they go.'' ''Well, come inside and have a cup of tea or coffee while you''re waiting,'' I suggested. ''I''ll walk with you and you will be fine.'' We walked slowly across the road towards the bookshops; she was pushing her bike and making sure the bike and I were between her and the dogs. As we approached the main shop a big black labrador lumbered over to get her usual doggy treat from me. ''Here comes Lady,'' I said. ''She is very gentle and she just wants a treat. She comes here a lot.
If she could read she would be here every day!'' The woman gave me a small smile but her eyes didn''t move from Lady, who was now standing at my feet, looking up patiently while I found her a treat. ''She is just like you -- a lady. Can I introduce you to her? What is your name?'' ''She''s not interested in my name. That''s silly.'' ''I''m sure Lady would love to meet you, and I can''t just introduce you as the lady with the bike.'' After some hesitation I heard a small whisper: ''I am Anne, spelt with an e.'' I really had to smile at this, but fair enough to make sure her name is correctly spelt. I crouched down and gave Lady her treat, which she took very gently from my hand.
''Lady, I would like to introduce you to Anne, spelt with an e. Anne, this is Lady, spelt with a y.'' Lady looked up at Anne, then stood up and took a step towards her. Anne froze. ''It''s all right, Anne, she just wants to sniff you and say hello.'' I took Anne''s hand and together we placed our hands on Lady''s broad head. ''Feel how soft she is,'' I said, ''and look at her wonderful ears -- they feel like velvet. She''s looking at you, Anne, waiting for you to say hello.
'' ''Hello, Lady. I''m scared of dogs, so don''t bite me, will you.'' Lady stayed still, leaning in towards us as we rubbed her neck. I could feel Anne''s hand slowly releasing its strong grip on my hand. ''Hello, Lady,'' she said again, with a stronger voice. ''My name is Anne, spelt with an e.'' In the end Anne stayed for over an hour browsing books. She explained that she had never had a pet and was always 134BOOKSHOP DOGS scared of dogs.
The farm dogs her father had were strictly working dogs -- not to be patted. ''I admired them from afar, too scared to approach them, let alone touch one. And now I have touched one! Incredible.'' I smiled as just then Regan turned up with Cove, the part-time bookshop dog who has always been under the impression that everyone who comes here does so specifically to pat and admire him. Cove came straight up to me and as I patted him I introduced him to Anne. ''This is Cove. He is 15 years old and he loves everyone.'' When Cove saw Anne he walked over and sat beside her, leaning up against her leg.
She stared at me, her mouth open as though she wanted to say something but not a sound came out. I just nodded. ''He''s fine, Anne. He just wants you to pat him.'' Her hand went very slowly down towards his head, and ever so softly she touched him. ''Hello, Cove, my name is Anne.'' I waited for her to say ''spelt with an e'' but there was a hushed silence as she moved her hand gently over the dog''s head.