HUGO, MN — Earlier this year, the world dropped a collective tear for Sting, a retired greyhound racer portrayed as the saddest dog in Minnesota because none of the children in the White Bear Library literacy program wanted to read to him. But after pictures of the forlorn looking dog with a naturally long face struck a chord worldwide, the children clamored for a chance to read to him.



Sting now has his own Facebook page, where he has nearly 4,000 followers, and an Instagram account, where about 1,060 people are keeping up with his antics. He has a new buddy, Luigi, a Galgo (Spanish greyhound) and Podenco mix that lived most of his life with rescue groups. Sting and Luigi are hits at the library. And Sting regularly stops by the Gillette Children's Hospital in Saint Paul, where he gives comfort to the sick kids.

Muellner, 56, adopted Sting eight years ago this month after he ended his racing career at a now-shuttered greyhound track in Iowa. Other retired greyhounds have become therapy dogs, and Sting's human, John Muellner, knew he would be a natural fit. For one thing, Sting is the perfect height and bedridden or wheelchair-bound patients don't have to bend over to stroke his silky coat. Sting and other greyhounds are also sweet, calm and good-natured.

"Nothing scares him," Muellner said, pointing out that because Sting is so laid back, he isn't spooked by wheelchairs, walkers and unfamiliar noises. "He treats everyone the same," Muellner said of Sting. "The parents will lower the side rail on the hospital bed, and Sting is so easygoing. I can't tell you how many times he has been poked, had his ears pulled or been stepped on, and he keeps trucking right along. He takes what's dished out without getting mad or trying to get away."

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Luigi, who came to the United States from Spain, joined Sting earlier this year after Colin, another greyhound Muellner adopted, died in December.

Photo of Luigi courtesy of John Muellner And although Sting is no longer lonely at the library, Luigi has stolen a bit of his limelight. "Honestly, in some ways, Luigi does a little better because he loves the attention, loves to stick his nose where he shouldn't while kids are reading," Muellner said. "Sting doesn't put a whole lot of effort into it. With some kids, it draws them in when they see Sting coming across the room and they're excited, but when he gets close they're shy. But he just stands there and lets them pet him. He doesn't move around much."