Coffee With Mr. Bear

Dog lovers have dreamed about what their dogs would say if their dogs could only talk. Author Gene Wilson lives that dream with his wife Sherri’s two black Labs, Mr. Bear and Ms. Hope. In “Coffee With Mr. Bear” (Gene’s 13th book), he shares the insights of Mr. Bear into life, sports, people and style all in one book. It’s great that Gene loves to talk. But he also loves to listen. And that’s how he came to be the chronicler of Mr. Bear’s and Ms. Hope’s words and their world. Gene shares the worlds and lives of Mr. Bear and his less talkative sister, the sweet Ms. Hope. Mr. Bear appreciates like Gene, style in people and in dress. Mr. Bear is reported to have said, on first meeting Gene, “Now that’s a man with whom I can share my insights and thoughts.” Mr. B talks about sports, like which team would have been the best fit for former Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo. Gene focuses when Mr. B comments on Gene’s attire for an evening out with the divine Sherri. Gene has also been known to get Mr. B’s approval for his ensemble for the morning stroll through Highland Park for the four of them. “We enjoy the walk, it helps to keep us in good shape,” says Ms. Hope, who walks in the front with Gene and Mr. Wonderful covers the back with Sherri. “The true measure of a man’s elegance and style is when the man is at ease,” said Mr. B. People, of course, change. Dogs like Mr. Bear and Ms. Hope seldom do. Boxing champion George Foreman once told Channel 8’s Dale Hansen in an interview: “You can tell a lot about a man by the way he treats his dog.” Well said. But on the other hand, Mr. Bear can tell you a lot about you as a person and the world around you. Gene has recognized what a dog sees in the people that make up their world. He gives the reader a very enjoyable “read” from day one. The imagination part is creative and fun to read. And to make the book more interesting, the author tells a number of stories of friend’s dogs. The photos of the dogs are cute as they can be. Mr. Bear said he is not sure of his schedule, but he will try to be present to autograph his share of the books. “If there is a chance that he can get his picture in the paper, he’ll be there,” grins Ms. Hope. The boy is one of a kind, no doubt. Read more