Published: November 28, 2008 09:09 pm      

Shaggy dog stories

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — If you travel along Illinois Route 142 east of the King City, you may have noticed a story unfolding near the road. Its main character — a dog constructed of wire and carpet — and creator, Ken Holland, have been entertaining drivers for quite some time.

The recent story scene — the dog leading a turkey to a chopping block — has been one of anticipation, according to Carla Harrah, who drives by Holland’s place often with her 4 year old daughter.

“Early in spring, I remember [Holland] putting an umbrella over the dog,” Harrah said of first noticing the dog in Holland’s yard. “As it went on, he kept adding stuff to it. It’s just cute they way he does it and it just brightens my day. My daughter always wants to stop and look at the carpet dog. He’s always got something different and you never know what it’s going to be.”

Holland said he thought of naming his creation Dog Patch when the former school teacher and administrator and current minister said he “ran into this idea to put out this dog.” He said he’s been surprised at and enjoys the number of people who stop by to check out something he considers “just a foolish thing.”

As visitors began to stop by to see his creations, including, Holland recalls with a chuckle, a visit from the animal warden, Holland said he decided to take his dog on further adventures.

“There was so much interest, that I made a raccoon and put it in a tree and put the dog by the tree [as if he treed him],” he said. “I kept thinking I’d fix this turkey and have it ready for Thanksgiving — I thought it’d tell a story.”

Holland said he’s had many visitors stop by to express their delight in his dog stories. “I’m just having fun with it,” he remarked.

Prior to cold temperatures hitting the area, Holland thought his dog needed a little help. “I heard the weather was getting cold, so I put a red coat on him,” he chuckled.

Holland’s wife Wilma says she has been surprised by the reaction from area drivers who pass by. “I didn’t think he’d have this kind of response,” she said. “Then someone knocked on the door one day, and a lady said ‘I wanted to tell you my husband and I go by here a lot and we always look to see if [the dog] changed.” Wilma said the woman, who was from McLeansboro, told her the dog was “the highlight of my day.”

As the dog’s story changes from day to day, the Hollands say even their family next door has been inspired to treat those who travel along Illinois 142, as the couple’s son-in-law created a “great big spider” out for drivers to see.

And as the seasons change and the holidays get into full swing, Holland says he has plans for his dog.

But fans will have to drive by to see where the story goes.