Gideon Kidd’s pandemic-era “virtual petting” project was a photo-based way to continue sharing dogs’ stories when in-person encounters were limited. A secondary account says families sent photographs and Gideon posed with the images rather than physically touching those dogs. The book that followed, Pet That Dog! A Handbook for Making Four-Legged Friends, was published by Quirk Books in October 2020.
From meeting neighborhood dogs to documenting them
Quirk Books’ 2020 catalog says Gideon began documenting dogs in 2016, when he was eight years old. The project grew from keeping track of dogs he met and sharing their stories.
Gideon’s mother, Rachel Braunigan, supported the project. The publisher’s catalog says Gideon began posting photographs and stories on Twitter in April 2018. The posts introduced dogs as individuals, with details about them beyond their breed.
What “virtually petting” meant
According to a secondary account of the project, during the pandemic people sent photographs of their dogs, and Gideon posed with or displayed the images. In that account, “virtually petted” describes a remote, photograph-based adaptation: it did not mean that Gideon physically touched those dogs or used virtual-reality equipment.
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The pandemic account is secondary reporting; the publisher sources establish the project’s earlier timeline and the book’s details, but do not independently verify the remote format. Quirk Books’ 2020 product copy described the project as involving more than 1,000 dogs and more than 300,000 Twitter followers. Those are historical publisher-reported figures, not current totals.
Rachel Braunigan’s role
Gideon’s mother, Rachel Braunigan, is credited with him as a co-author of Pet That Dog! Quirk Books credits Susann Hoffmann as the illustrator. The publisher’s credits confirm Braunigan’s role in the book; details about the division of their work behind the project should not be assumed beyond what those credits establish.
Pet That Dog! turned the project into an activity book
Quirk Books describes Pet That Dog! A Handbook for Making Four-Legged Friends as an illustrated guide to meeting, petting, and caring for dogs. The publisher lists its paperback publication date as October 20, 2020.
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The publisher says the book includes guidance on asking a caregiver before approaching a dog, tips for reading dog body language, dog facts and stories, a personality quiz, and a Dog Tracker. It is a children’s introduction to meeting and caring for dogs, not a comprehensive veterinary or behavior manual.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The publisher lists paperback and ebook editions. Their formats differ, and the available publisher information does not establish whether the ebook makes the Dog Tracker activity as practical as the physical book.
| Format | Publisher-listed details | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Paperback | 128 pages; ISBN 9781683692294 | A physical copy may suit a child who wants to write in the Dog Tracker. |
| Ebook | ISBN 9781683692300 | Choose a digital format if that is more convenient; activity usability may differ. |
The publisher lists retailers for the book, but current prices and availability can change. Check the retailer for current details rather than relying on historical prices.
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What children can learn from the project and book
Ask the caregiver first
The publisher’s guidance is direct: “Step one: Ask the caregiver!” A child should not approach or touch an unfamiliar dog without first asking the person responsible for it. Permission does not guarantee that the dog wants contact, so give the dog space and follow the caregiver’s directions.
Notice each dog as an individual
The project’s premise was to document individual dogs and their stories. The book adds dog facts and activities to that interest, helping young readers engage with dogs without assuming that all dogs of a given breed behave alike.
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The photograph-based project showed one way to appreciate a dog remotely. Children should also avoid contact when a caregiver says no or when the dog is not available for interaction. The book offers an introduction to dog interaction; questions about a particular dog’s health or behavior are best taken to an appropriate adult or qualified professional.
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What is the book’s scope?
Pet That Dog! combines interaction guidance with facts, stories, a quiz, and a tracker. The publisher confirms that it covers asking a caregiver and reading body language, but the sources do not establish professional credentials for its guidance. Treat it as a children’s introduction, not a substitute for veterinary or behavior advice.
Book details at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Pet That Dog! A Handbook for Making Four-Legged Friends |
| Authors | Gideon Kidd and Rachel Braunigan |
| Illustrator | Susann Hoffmann |
| Publisher | Quirk Books |
| Publication date | October 20, 2020 |
| Paperback | 128 pages; ISBN 9781683692294 |
| Ebook | ISBN 9781683692300 |
| Includes | Caregiver-first guidance, body-language tips, dog facts and stories, a personality quiz, and a Dog Tracker |
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Gideon Kidd physically pet the dogs in the virtual-petting posts?
A secondary account says families submitted photographs and Gideon posed with or displayed the images. In that account, “virtually” refers to the remote photo format, not physical contact.
When was Pet That Dog! published?
Quirk Books lists October 20, 2020 as the paperback publication date.
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Who wrote and illustrated Pet That Dog!?
Quirk Books credits Gideon Kidd and Rachel Braunigan as authors and Susann Hoffmann as illustrator.
What activities and guidance does the book include?
The publisher lists caregiver-first guidance, tips for reading dog body language, dog facts and stories, a personality quiz, and a Dog Tracker.
Is Pet That Dog! a complete dog-care manual?
No. It is an illustrated children’s guide and activity book. It should not replace veterinary advice or professional help with a dog’s behavior.
The lasting appeal of Gideon’s idea
Gideon Kidd’s project centered on noticing and sharing individual dogs and their stories. According to a secondary account, the photograph-based pandemic adaptation kept that idea going remotely, without physical contact with the dogs featured.
Pet That Dog! carried the project into an illustrated handbook for young dog lovers, combining an interest in dogs with introductory interaction guidance and activities.
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