This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
After rescuing a coonhound named Maddie, Theron Humphrey discovered his new family member possessed an uncanny sense of balance, able to gracefully perch on anything from a bicycle, horse, road sign, birdhouse or tree branch.
So Humphrey began visually documenting these feats, which led to the publishing of his 120-photograph book titled "Maddie on Things." Humphrey and Maddie have since been featured on the "Today Show" and "Ellen Degeneres Show," as well as Parade Magazine.
This Saturday, Humphrey and Maddie will be on hand (and paw) at the King's English Bookshop, 1511 S. 1500 East in Salt Lake City, to greet customers and autograph their book.
The pair will also point the way to Humane Society of Utah rescue dogs ready and wagging to be adopted. The pawtograph party begins at 2 p.m. and pet adoptions start at noon and end at 3 p.m.
"The perception is that shelter dogs are flawed, but they're not," Humane Society of Utah Communications Director Carl Arky said. "You never know, we might have the next balancing dog."
The Humane Society of Utah, at 4242 S. 300 West in Murray, has an abundance of adoptable dogs, cats and other critters. Compared to the same time last year, dog adoptions are up 10 percent, cat adoptions up 22 percent and overall adoptions up 15 percent, Arky said.
"With the economy the way it is, that's good," Arky said. "But it never stops" — referring to the continuous influx of animals in need of loving homes.
Twitter: @catmck —
Pet adoption, pawtograph party
Who • Rescued coonhound Maddie and owner Theron Humphrey, author of "Maddie on Things."
When • Saturday; adoptions noon to 3 p.m. and pawtographs 2 p.m.
Where • King's English Bookshop, 1511 S. 1500 East in Salt Lake City