b'Bruno, written by Byrd Spilman DeweyPublished by Lector House LLP, 2022Originally published in 1899 by Little, Brown & Co.We discovered this books existence while research-ingdog-friendlyhotelsinFlorida.ByrdBirdieSpilman Dewey was an American author, land investor,and co-developer of the town of Boynton. The grandnieceofPresidentZachery Taylor, DeweylivedinFloridafrom1881 until her death in1942.ShenamedherVictorian home, whichonce occupied an edgeofswamplandinBoyntonBeach,BenTrovato. Itliterallymeans well inventedorwellfound.Theestate helped put West Palm Beach on the cultural map.Today, The Ben is an unconventional hotel in WestPalm Beach with all the modern amenities, located onthe site of the former West Palm Beach City Hall. It isdescribed as creatively channeling Byrd Deweys joie devivre, her love of entertaining, her whimsical interestsand personal passions, as well as her strong advocacy forthe natural world, including her love of animals. Bruno was a national bestseller, and tells the storyof Birdies beloved dog. The book is only 56 pages long,and is autobiographical in nature with Birdie portrayedbyJudithandherhusbandportrayedbyJulius.Short and sweet, the story clearly conveys the love thecouple had for Florida. She colorfully describes familiardestinations like Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Eustis andZellwood,longbeforethepopulationexplosion.Hersenseofhumorisespeciallyapparentwhenwritingabout some of lifes inconveniences.In those days our mail not infrequently took anoceanvoyageonitswayfromoneFloridatowntoanother quite near by, so we were never surprised at any-thinginthemailline exceptapromptdelivery,Dewey wrote.Bruno came into their lives by way of a letter toJulius from his sister, asking him if they would like anice dog. Both Julius and Judith were excited to have adog in their lives. It was a different time, and some ofthewritingreflectsit,includinghowBrunoandhishumans co-existed.Bruno enjoyed going out at nightby himself. Heoftenwouldnotreturnuntilthenextmorning.Sometimes, if he was chained on the front porch, hewould break free, chain and all, to roam.Continuedgwww.TheNewBarker.com THE NEW BARKER 47'