Library book checked out in 1989 finally returned — and the note that came with it has people emotional

A library in Virginia recently received a copy of the book "Harry the Dirty Dog." Two diplomats had reportedly issued it from the library in 1989. Thirty-six years later, their son, Dimitris, returned it to its original place. Along with the book, he had also sent a handwritten note explaining its journey and the reason behind returning it after decades. Fairfax County Public Library posted it on their Facebook page, and thousands flocked to read his tale. 

Dimitris's parents were diplomats based in Washington, D.C., and had issued the book from Chantilly Regional Library on November 6, 1989. The book became their trusty companion and traveled the world with them. Once they retired, the diplomat couple moved to Greece but didn't forget to carry the book. Years later, their son, Dimitris, found the copy resting on their bookshelf and thought the book deserved to return to its original home. "It traveled the world and was well taken care of, as you can see. And now it can find its way home," he informed the library. Even after so many years, the book looked new, thanks to Dimitris' parents who took such good care of it. Overwhelmed, the Virginia library thanked him for his gesture. 

The children's book "Harry the Dirty Dog" by Gene Zion follows the journey of a dog who loves everything except baths. The story focuses on how he escapes his family and goes on a wild adventure, only to avoid it. He gets so dirty that when he returns, his family can't recognize him. Eventually, Harry, the dog, realizes that taking a bath was much better than not being recognized. And finally, after getting cleaned, his family realized it was no ordinary dog but their very own Henry. But the question is, why would two diplomats carry a book that is exclusively meant for kids? Well, the simple story carried a universal message. It teaches how avoiding challenges can often lead to consequences, more importantly, loss of identity and belonging. So, instead of a serious political reference, the diplomats possibly used this book to convey values such as responsibility, self-realization, and cooperation. Or maybe the book was an integral part of their childhood, and they carried it everywhere to feel that sense of comfort during challenging times.

Meanwhile, people couldn't stop themselves from praising Dimitris; while some thanked him for returning the book, others shared their fond memories with it. For instance, Robert Carlson commented, "Such rare editions are irreplaceable. I guess it took Dimitris a few decades to finish reading it, but fortunately, he had the good conscience to return such a precious item." Similarly, Aaron Hilton wrote, "I loved this book when I was a kid, and I’m sure my name is somewhere in the Herndon or Reston library system because of that. What a heartwarming story." Paula Steinmann shared, "Such happy news! It’s a wonderful story. I’ve read it often to my two children and many students in my preschool classes over the years."

You can follow Fairfax County Public Library on Facebook for more book-related stories. 

More on Scoop Upworthy

A book was returned to a library more than seven decades late. The due fee is nearly $4000

Oxford student returns library books 20 years later with a note tucked inside — and got a swift reply

Library book checked out in 1927 finally gets returned after nearly 100 years: 'Was falling apart'