Check It Out: Skip the goo and go for the awww

Did you know that August is National Romance Awareness Month?

When I was a kid, August always felt bittersweet to me; technically, it was still summer, but the start of another school year loomed just around the corner. In fact, where I grew up, school started in late August, which basically meant that all the good times ended July 31. Even now, I can’t help but feel a little melancholy when August rolls around: all those school supplies already on display at Fred Meyer, Target, etc., continue to call up some powerful feelings.

But back to romance. I’m not sure why August has been designated as RAM (a rather ironic acronym for Romantic Awareness Month, don’t you think?). I mean, doesn’t February cover this already? The cynic in me suspects that large economic forces hatched this “romantic awareness month” business because if one day in February can generate a huge spike in consumer spending, why not devote an entire month to love, that thing that makes the world go round, interweaving our lives with a heady combination of joy, pleasure, angst and guilt? Gee, I don’t sound sardonic at all, do I?

Perhaps August was chosen because it’s just too hot, just too close to fall, and then next thing you know, it’s winter. Remember the melancholy I mentioned earlier? A little emphasis on romance and love just might lift our spirits in spite of the approaching rush and crush of school, work and holidays. The problem is, not everyone is comfortable with romance. Maybe it’s too daunting, or too exhausting, or too icky (you know who you are), or just too, too much. For all of these reasons and more, I suggest there’s another way to “feel the love” — look at adorable animal pictures.

Rachel Buchholz’ “True Love: 24 Surprising Stories of Animal Affection” tugs at all the right heart-strings, allowing romance-phobic readers to experience the same kind of “happy chemicals” that romantic actions produce. For instance, readers will get to meet Bear and Robi. Bear, a cranky, nearly-blind bobcat, keeps everyone at paw’s length at his home at Wildcat Haven in Oregon. Enter Robi, a caracal with an equally grumpy disposition. Keepers put the two “grumpy old men” near each other, and within a short time, the boys are best buds, with Robi taking on the role of caretaker once Bear goes completely blind. Awww.

Then there’s the chicken named Mabel. She gets to live inside a farmhouse in England after a horse steps on her foot. Her “chick” days are over, but the nesting instinct remains strong as she becomes a surrogate “hen” to a litter of puppies. The pups’ mom, Nettle, does a good job, but sometimes she needs a break, so Mabel goes to work fluffing her feathers, tucking the puppies under her body, and “clucking softly to her ‘hatchlings’.” Awww.

Then there’s the story about Stanley and Dotty. Chomping on grass and minding his own business, Stanley, a sheep, suddenly feels sharp teeth sink into his side – a pit bull was attacking him! Bleating for help, Dotty, an orphaned donkey, who had lived with Stanley for some time, runs to the rescue, and “with no regard for her own life, Dotty charge[s] the dog.” The attacking dog smartly gives up (don’t ever mess with donkeys!), and Stanley, who did receive some injuries, eventually recovers from his terrifying experience. The author says that donkeys are protective by nature, but golly, this story sure warms the heart. Awww, awww, awww.

Love doesn’t have to be awful, but based on the anecdotes described in this week’s book, it sure can be full of awe. So remember, August might have the “dog days” of summer, but with a bit of “romantic awareness,” August can be “RAM”tastic.

Happy Aug. 2 everyone!

Jan Johnston is the collection development coordinator for the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District. Email her at readingforfun@fvrl.org.