Staying safe around Labrador strays: Former provincial vet pens children's book

He may have retired as chief veterinary officer with the province, but Hugh Whitney is still spreading the word about how to stay safe when near stray dogs. 

• Strays biting people in Sheshatshiu, 'problem dogs' to be euthanized

Whitney's recently written a children's book based in both Natuashish and Sheshatshiu — and it's available in four languages: English, French and two Innu dialects.

"Because dog bites are more common and more serious in younger children under 10 years of age, the point is that target audience," Whitney told CBC's Labrador Morning.

His new book is called Uapikun Has A Question, and follows a young, inquisitive girl named Uapikun who travels by coastal boat to visit relatives. 

When Uapikun leaves her home of Sheshatshiu and arrives in Natuashish, she comes across stray dogs she hasn't encountered before.

"Because it's sort of a first encounter, there's the concern about, 'Are they friendly dogs, are they dangerous dogs, what do I do?,'" Whitney said.

"Her uncle senses her discomfort so [he] takes the opportunity to explain to Uapikun and her cousin, Summer, about being safe around dogs."

Whitney said the main thing to remember when coming across a stray dog is not to run. 

"I think these are really important," said Kanani Davis of the series. Davis helped translate the book into Sheshatshiu-aimun, one of two Innu dialects the book has been printed in.

Each book in the series has a cultural piece. In Uapikun Has A Question, a section of the story explores the relationship between dogs and the Innu.

"Those kind of little stories, it's important to teach children so that Innu children know about their history and the Innu culture and the language as well," Davis said.

The Adventures of Uapikun series is being read in Newfoundland and Labrador's Innu schools, but is not available for purchase. 

Whitney hopes other school systems, both within and outside of the province, will want to incorporate his books into its classrooms as well.