Kids can tell Carl, ‘Good Dog’

Carl has had anything but a dog’s life.

The star of a dozen popular children’s books, Carl the bulky Rottweiler has attended a masquerade, frolicked in a department store and cavorted on a merry-go-round -- all the time shepherding his delighted young mistress while adults’ backs are conveniently turned.

And, coolest of all, Carl never gets caught.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of his first appearance in “Good Dog, Carl,” the real-life Carl will be on hand Saturday at Every Picture Tells a Story in Santa Monica for pictures, pets and mutual adoration.

Escorting Carl will be his creator, Alexandra Day (a.k.a. Sandra Darling), who will tell stories about Carl, sign books and unveil an exhibition of original Carl artwork.

Truth be told, Day will be bringing Carl No. 4, the latest in a line of distinguished Rottweilers who have served as models for the canine stories throughout the years. “Carl is a great smokescreen for me,” says Day from her Seattle home. “He’s not at all self-conscious and loves attention. You should see all the tricks he can do.”

An accomplished artist and author of numerous other non-Carl books, Day’s text-less tales of child and canine have enchanted readers of all ages, selling 2 million worldwide. A new illustrated story, “Carl’s Sleepy Afternoon,” is due out later this year.

“I didn’t anticipate the wordlessness of the stories, but it seemed to fit in the world that I was creating,” confesses Day. “I mean, I have two main characters who don’t talk -- a baby and a dog. I had to be true to who they are.”

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Brenda Rees

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Alexandra Day exhibition, Every Picture Tells a Story, 1311 Montana Ave., Santa Monica. Reception 2 p.m. Saturday. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. (310) 451-2700.