The Bookshelf Had Stood for Twenty Years. The Saint Bernard Had a Plan.
Paperbacks lie open in every direction, a few face-down, a few splayed like startled birds. In the middle of it all, perched inside the fallen frame of a wooden bookshelf, sits a red and white Saint Bernard with a small, hopeful smile. His collar is slightly askew, a sign that the afternoon involved more wriggling than reading. A houseplant by the window and a gray sofa seem to have witnessed everything.
Saint Bernards are famous for their calm, affectionate nature, but they are also huge, and a dog that size often does not notice how much room he takes up. A wag of the tail at coffee-table height can clear a whole surface, and a happy lean can tip furniture. This is why owners of giant breeds are often advised to anchor tall shelves to the wall, which also protects small children and cats. Large puppies also keep growing for a long time, and they tend to be clumsy while they do it.
If a big dog does tangle with furniture, check him for scrapes and make sure he is not hiding sore spots, and ask your vet if anything seems off. Then restack the books, perhaps keeping the lowest shelf for chew-proof items.
Our fellow has decided the best response is to sit up straight and look wonderfully innocent. There is a lot of literature around him, and he clearly believes he is the main character.
