By Michelle Tuplin
It’s not that often that a family dog becomes a community friend, but that is exactly what happened with Ody at Serendipity Books.
Ody passed last Friday, about 98 in dog years, after a rich and adventurous life.
He joined the family as a three-month-old puppy, a mixed breed who looked like a black mouth cur (a smaller Old Yeller). He was rescued from the side of the highway by the Montcalm County sheriff, and Serendipity Books owner Michelle Tuplin’s husband brought him home in 2009.
The children named Ody for Odysseus, the legendary ancient Greek king who was infamously clever and a wanderer. He was ever the mischievous puppy and loved stealing shoes and cushions.
When Michelle Tuplin took the family on a big adventure based out of England for a year, Ody went, too. There, he swam in the Norfolk fens, went on castle adventures in Wales, and even volunteered to herd sheep in nearby fields (a big no-no in England).
When the family returned to Michigan, Ody rescued a kitten – destined to become the new family cat – from the floods of an August storm. When another pup later joined the family from the county shelter, Ody became his mentor.
In time, Ody would be seen running through town alongside a bike with the younger pup protegé, ID collars clinking.
When Michelle Tuplin took over Serendipity Books, Ody joined her and soon became part of the Chelsea community. Ody’s calm older demeanor and attentive eyes let everyone know how exceptionally gentle he was.
He loved going to work. Ody was always at the door when Michelle was ready to head out to the bookstore.
He greeted each and every visitor to the bookstore, sticking close to those who gave especially good pets. He especially adored Mel, in charge of the UPS delivery and giver of multiple high-value treats. Many parents visiting the bookstore mentioned how Ody had helped their child overcome a fear of dogs.
There were other adults who, in need of a little extra pup love, would stop by the bookstore just for their Ody fix. It was a normal day when visitors greeted Ody and then remembered to look up and greet the bookseller too.
Ody somehow was both a beloved part of a family as well as a cherished part of both Serendipity Books and our wider Chelsea community.
He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
