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Tuesday, August 18, 2009 10:01 PM CDT
Owners mourn loss of Dave the Math Dog
By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com
LERNA — Dave the Math Dog always left human beings smiling or scratching their heads.
“He was beautiful, calm and very loving. He seemed to connect with people. It seemed like he could understand what you were saying,” said Debbie Ferris, co-owner of the golden retriever noted for his uncanny math skills with Frank Ferris, Debbie’s husband.
The 10-year-old dog, who appeared on the David Letterman Show in 2006, was put asleep Saturday after a long bout with cancer. Debbie believes Dave was one of the most recognized dogs in Coles County for his appearances at schools and nursing homes over the last few years. The Ferris family also made appearances at family reunions at Peterson Park.
“The kids all knew him. The people in the nursing homes loved to pet him. He just loved to entertain people. He just made people feel good,” said Debbie.
The skeptics, mainly adults, could not faze Dave.
“They thought it was just a simple trick but he proved them wrong time after time,” she said.
Dave first showed his talent at basic math problems several years ago after the Ferris family watched a Discovery Channel show about a calculating poodle.
“But Dave didn’t bark. He used his paw to count out the answer,” Debbie said.
Earlier this year, the Village of Lerna honored him with a sign designating the community as the home of Dave the Math Dog.
Dave was a hit with young students, some of whom howled at adding and subtracting lessons. The basic message from Dave was if he can do it, why can’t you?
Then came the Letterman Show appearance. Dave was a hit at a talent search in Terre Haute for the network show. Dave’s act was so appealing that Letterman gave the retriever a “two-paws-up” approval rating. After the television appearance the dog from Lerna was traveling out of state to entertain children or adults.
“He was never bothered about being before a crowd or being on camera,” Debbie recalled. “He’d just sit and enjoy it.”
Dave was good at multiplication as well. He is survived by two sons, Murphy and Jack. Will either of the sons be counting for fame?
“Dave was a math-lete, but Murphy is an athlete. He loves to chase a ball or jump up high. Jack might be showing some counting ability. But he lives in California,” Debbie said.
Misty Ferris, Jack’s owner, said it is too early to tell if the son will carry on the father’s talent.
“Jack looks a lot like Dave but I don’t know if he’s a prodigy,” Misty said.
Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.
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coonbug wrote on Aug 17, 2009 9:24 PM:
God Bless you Dave and your owners for sharing you with us all. "