No One Thinks This Dog Is Real — So His Dad Made A Sign

Chester is an 8-year-old German Spitz who’s been coming to work with his dad at the Drama Book Shop in New York City for three years now. Chester is tiny, fluffy and mostly sleeps all day – which is why many people who come into the shop think he’s fake.

Chester’s dad, Marcus Colleran, and the other staff members at the shop were asked so often about whether Chester was real or not, that they finally decided to make a sign …

… well, actually, multiple signs.

“His spot is on the counter as our ‘mascot’ or ‘official greeter,’ though he’s asleep most of the time,” Colleran told The Dodo. “I think the counter spot came about mainly for safety reasons on my part, as I wasn’t sure how he’d react to being around so many people, and in the summertime, there’s a breeze there. As it turns out, there was no need to worry. People love him and ask about him when he’s not here.”

Everyone who comes into the shop absolutely adores Chester, and he gets pet and photographed all day long. Chester doesn’t mind the attention, although really, he’d rather just sleep. He’s a very calm dog, and is not at all fazed by everyone’s love for him.

“Chester really only interacts if the person near him has the scent of another dog on their person,” Colleran said. “Otherwise, he’s his calm docile self for the best part of the day until he thinks its time for a walk.”

Besides sleeping all day, Chester also lends his expertise and participates in staff picks by posing with plays he fancies. You can find his selections under #ChestersPicks on Instagram.

So, if you ever find yourself in the Drama Book Shop and you see Chester: Yes, he’s real. Yes, you can pet him. No, he will probably not stop sleeping.