Meekins lost a second well-loved Library canine companion this week. Howard, the long-time happiest canine visitor to Meekins, died on December 12, 2022. Born in 2007, he would have celebrated his 15th birthday on December 26th. For his whole life, Howard was a blissfully contented dog. Howard was always happy to see you—even if he had never met you before.
Howard hailed from California, where he chose his human, Sherri Andrews, at a shelter in Sonoma County. He followed her to New England and adapted to Massachusetts winters, with his thick coat derived from his Labrador and Border Collie heritage. He would gladly get in the car to go for a ride and end up at the Library with Sherri.
Howard began coming to the Meekins as soon as he moved to the Hilltowns. He felt that the Library was another home. His calm demeanor endeared him to other library patrons, especially the very young and those a little shy of dogs. He would quietly wait to be greeted and would return it with gentle affection.
Those of you who have come to the annual Holiday Readings at Meekins over the years will remember Howard as the large black shaggy laid-back dog, sitting at Sherri’s feet, serving as a pillow for all the kids who were resting on the floor listening to the stories with him.
Howard was also “in pictures.” He was the canine star of the fifth part of the Meekins Cross Generation Conversations film series chronicling life in Williamsburg and Haydenville, “Around the Town”, filmed in the center of Williamsburg on October 6, 2018. He regally posed for the camera and stole the show from the humans being interviewed.
Howard was the only dog known to turn up his nose at a treat, if there was someone’s hand there to pet him instead. The biscuit would remain untouched because a belly rub was just more fun.
Howard loved people and people in turn loved Howard. The good cheer that Howard’s visits brought to the Meekins will be greatly missed. Howard the Happy Dog will always be remembered as one of Meekins’ favorite Library visitors. Farewell Howard, our Library canine friend. Daria D’Arienzo, Meekins Archivist and photographer. #throwbackthursday; #tbt.
Posted to Facebook 12/15/2022
