Children and adults filed into the Statesboro Regional Library Monday with their dogs ready to have their portraits taken and displayed in the library.
    The portraits being short are a part of the week-long “Hot Dog! Dog Portraits” event at the library. Portraits are taken every 15 minutes between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. There is no cost, but an appointment must be made in advance to participate, said Lois Roberts, public services librarian for the Statesboro Regional Library.
    All of the dog portraits will hang on display in the library for the month of August and will be returned when the event is over.
    The library’s Artist of the Month, Debbie Bailey, is the photographer for the portraits. Those who are unable to have their portraits taken can bring a photograph of their dog to the library’s reference desk to display.
    “It’s kind of in celebration of the official dog days of summer, which are somehow related to the stars and the moon and last from July 3 through August 11,” Roberts said. “It’s been a particularly hot summer, and we call them dog days, so we thought it would be a fun idea.”
    The event is new to the Statesboro library and has seen a great response early in the week. Monday’s appointment book was full, but there are still several openings for the rest of the week.
    Part of the success of the event, Roberts believes, is due to the lull in activities after the end of the summer reading program and the anticipation of the coming school year.
    “Another thought we had was ‘say goodbye to your dog after summer’ because you’re going back to school next week,” she said.
    Janice Wilson said her family took part in the summer reading program and the library’s activities, sparking their interest in the dog portraits. She brought her nephew and his friend to have their dog’s photo taken.
    “We have three dogs and they wanted to come have their picture made,” she said. “They were excited about getting her up here and seeing her in a different setting.”
    And although the portraits may seem far from the library’s usual activity, books are on display in the studio and reading is always in the background, Roberts said.
    This year’s event is limited to dog portraits, but with its popularity from adults and children alike, the event may grow to include all pets in the future.
    “We’ll see how it goes, but I think those with gerbils, hamsters, turtles, birds, goldfish would be fun,” she said.
    Call 764-1336 for more information about signing up for a portrait.