The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG - If you ask a first grader what dogs eat, you'd expect the answer to be "dogfood". However, if you posed that question to the students in Dinah Lindsey's first grade class at Waitsburg Elementary you'd get a far more unusual answer - "books"! And they would be correct.

On Monday, representa- tives from Blue Mountain Realtors in Dayton visited Lindsey's class to introduce the Books with Bailey read- ing program. Benedicte Carbonnier announced the arrival of Loretta Melanson and Stephanie Wright who, adorned in Dr. Seuss hats, explained that the puppies they were delivering re- quired special care. "These puppies are fed by reading," said Melanson dramatically, as she pulled an adorable black stuffed pup from her bag. "Awwwhellip;.it's cute!" said a captivated student.

The puppies, donated by Croft's Floral & Gifts in Dayton, are the key ele- ment in the incentive-based reading program developed by Blue Mountain Realtors owners Blaine and Julie Bickelhaupt. Blaine was impressed by a program he learned of in Coeur d'Alene, Ida., and knew he wanted to bring something similar in his own community.

Remembering how terri- fied he was of reading aloud in class as a child, Blaine was drawn to the concept of reading to a non-critical friend. "It's a non-threaten- ing, non-judgmental way for kids to practice and develop reading skills," said Blaine.

"We also wanted to pro- vide something that would be an incentive for the kids without increasing the work- load of the teacher," said Julie. "This does that."

Blue Mountain Realtors has sponsored the program successfully in Dayton for six years. "This is my third year with the Books with Bailey program and we love our puppies!" said Dayton Elementary School first grade teacher Susie Payne. "The kids love snuggling up to read with their new 'friends'. The puppies are always good listeners, and grow so much stronger when we read with them. (And they are always kind if we make a mistake or two!) Our friends at Blue Mountain Realtors give wonderful support in encouraging our first graders to become great readers."

At the urging of Croft's owner Vicky Beckmeyer, the Realtors are extending their reach to Waitsburg for the first time. "I'm really not sure why we didn't do it sooner," said Julie.

Melanson and Wright discussed the program with the children as they handed each student their own pup- py and a book to read to it. The children waited patient- ly; several tightly hugged their pups as they received them and one declared they had already chosen a name.

The puppies remain at school, housed in their very own puppy condo - a con- verted shoe bag that hangs on the wall. As children reach specific milestones, determined by Lindsey, they earn awards or privileges with their puppies. "We don't specify what the mile- stones should be," said Julie. "We want each teacher to be able to adjust the program to their own students."

Examples of milestones used by Payne in Dayton include: five books, name your puppy; 10 books, dog collar; 20 books, name tag; 30 books, vet check; 50 books, blanket; 100 books, pup can sit at desk all day; 200 books, take pup home overnight.

"The vet check is a big deal," said Julie. The 'vets' - from Blue Mountain Realtors -- arrive in lab coats bor- rowed from Dayton dentist Dr. Norm Passmore, and use a real stethoscope to per- form a complete assessment of the pups. They fill out a complete a health checklist, answering questions like, "Does your puppy have a happy heart?"

(Right): Loretta Melanson (l) and Stephanie Wright (r) explain the Books with Bailey reading program to Waitsburg first graders as they distribute books and puppies.

Another major milestone is when students are able to meet the program's name- sake, the Bickelhaupts' 90 pound German Shorthaired Pointer/Chocolate Lab mix Bailey. "I warn the kids that they'll probably get their faces washed when Bailey visits," said Julie. "He loves attention!"

Blue Mountain Realtors owners and employees visit the classrooms throughout the year for the various milestones, "Pupcake" or "Pupcorn" parties and sometimes, just to have lunch with the kids. "We don't all go each time, but everyone in the office is involved," said Julie. Agents Mark and Mir- iam Grant were left manning the office this time around.

Lindsey is anxious to implement the program with her students. "It's so fun to watch the children and see them so excited about the 'Books with Bailey' program," said Lindsey. "I can already see that they are excited to read, read, read!"