Sophia Renee Piña reads aloud to dog Pepper. The first and third Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m. a couple of dogs walk calmly into the children’s section of the Birdie Taylor Library in Pacific Beach. They are there to listen while children read aloud to them. The dogs are certified as therapy canines and are part of the program “Wagging Tales” that encourages children reluctant to read aloud to read to dogs. Dogs never criticized the reader for making mistakes or reading too slow. The program is free and open to all ages. For more information e-mail Helene Sherman at [email protected]. Story and photograph by Cynthia Hedgecock