How the Château Laurier’s dog became a literary star

Hotel launches new children's book created by hotel staff, family members

Canine ambassador Stewart (front) is the focus of a new children's book, launched Friday, June 28, 2024, at the Fairmont Château Laurier with, from left, illustrator Emelia Vincelette, hotel employee and author Lee Power, Fairmont Château Laurier general manager Geneviève Dumas and director of sales and marketing Lori Wagner. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Canine ambassador Stewart (front) is the focus of a new children's book, launched Friday, June 28, 2024, at the Fairmont Château Laurier with, from left, illustrator Emelia Vincelette, hotel employee and author Lee Power, Fairmont Château Laurier general manager Geneviève Dumas and director of sales and marketing Lori Wagner. Photo by Caroline Phillips
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The Fairmont Château Laurier’s canine ambassador is the focus of a charming new children’s book that’s raising money for Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Stewart: King of the Castle, written by hotel employee Lee Power and illustrated by 17-year-old Emelia Vincelette, tells the fetching tale of how the precious pooch became a beloved part of the family at Ottawa’s castle-like historic downtown hotel.

The pup-approved publication was celebrated Friday during a small gathering held at the hotel, next to its Café Laurier.  It put everyone in such a good mood, just like a behind-the-ear scratch.

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Stewart, the canine ambassador for the Fairmont Château Laurier, is the subject of a new children’s book, Stewart: King of the Castle. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The book launch was quintessentially Château Laurier with its exceptional hospitality. The hotel honoured its book-writing employee with a trumpet fanfare (performed by musician Nick Cochrane), and, later, presented thank-you gifts and a fancy cake.

“I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude,” said Power, her voice filled with emotion. “Writing this children’s story has been a journey of the heart, a journey inspired by, you guessed it, Stewart.”

Attendees heard how the two share an office together. “I’m privileged to work with him every single day,” said Power of the six-year-old black Lab.

Fairmont Château Laurier employee Lee Power was overwhelmed with emotion at the launch of her children’s book, Stewart: King of the Castle, based on the hotel’s canine ambassador, a six-year-old black Lab named Stewart. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Fairmont Château Laurier general manager Geneviève Dumas, holding a chocolate Lab pup named Coco, at the cake-cutting ceremony with employee Lee Power, author of Stewart: King of the Castle, and the book’s 17-year-old illustrator, Emelia Vincelette, at the launch held Friday, June 28, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Stewart, who comes from a long line of service dogs, started out in the professional training program for guide dogs. It was determined, however, that he was better suited to a career in companionship due to his highly sociable nature. It just so happened the Château Laurier and its general manager, Geneviève Dumas, were looking for a canine ambassador to greet guests in the lobby and offer them a sense of home away from home. 

“He was welcomed with open arms and treated like a king,” said Power while reading her book aloud, seated in an ornate throne chair. Attendees also heard a French version of the book. “By his second week, he had all the people who worked at the castle wrapped around his little paw.”

Fairmont Château Laurier employee Lee Power, author of Stewart: King of the Castle, reads from her book at a launch held at the downtown Ottawa hotel on Friday, June 28, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The 500 copies of Stewart: King of the Castle are being sold at the café as part of an elaborate concept the hotel’s events and activations manager, Catherine McLaughlin, creatively crafted and executed. There’s an attractive display set up in the coffee shop, as well.

Stewart has a new pied-à-terre, also recognized as a doghouse. It looks just like the Château Laurier. The design was the work of hotel employee Raphael Fitzgerald-Biernath, with carpentry done by Brandon McKendry. Also credited for bringing the project to life is Terlin Construction.

Catherine McLaughlin, events and activations manager at the Fairmont Château Laurier, was behind the launch of a new project that focuses on the hotel’s canine ambassador, Stewart. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Poochie, a seven-year-old Pomeranian, tries Fairmont Château Laurier’s new castle-like doghouse out for size at the launch of a new children’s book, Stewart: King of the Castle, held at the downtown hotel on Friday, June 28, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Geneviève Dumas cuddles Coco, a chocolate Lab puppy, at the Fairmont Château Laurier, for the launch of the hotel’s new children’s book, Stewart: King of the Castle, held Friday, June 28, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, illustrator Emelia Vincelette, author Lee Power, Fairmont Château Laurier general manager Geneviève Dumas and director of sales and marketing Lori Wagner at the launch of the hotel’s new children’s book, Stewart: King of the Castle. Photo by Caroline Phillips

A portion of book sales is being donated to Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, a national charitable organization. “My wish is that this story brings a few smiles and some happiness,” said Power.

The author, who’s worked in hospitality for more than 40 years, is executive assistant to Dumas. Her young illustrator also has a connection to the hotel; Vincelette’s father, Patrick Vincelette, is the director of rooms. The teen hopes to study animation and illustration at Algonquin College after finishing up at Osgoode Township High School in Metcalfe.

Seventeen-year-old Emelia Vincelette and their father, Patrick Vincelette, director of rooms at the Fairmont Château Laurier, at the downtown hotel for its launch of a new children’s book, Stewart: King of the Castle, based on the hotel’s canine ambassador. Photo by Caroline Phillips

As for Stewart, he was such a good boy at the book launch. “Stewart’s happiness is infectious, and that is why we’re here today,” said McLaughlin of a dog she described as “sweet, kind, gentle and maybe even a little mischievous”.

The reception served light refreshments. There were homemade biscuits for all the furry friends and, for human consumption, chocolate shortbread cookies.

When not happily roaming hotel corridors and hobnobbing with dignitaries, world leaders and small children, Stewart lives with Dumas. “I love Stewart,” the manager told everyone. The affection is mutual, challenged only by Stewart’s deep love affair with food.

“Truth be told, a really close second to Madame Dumas would be his t-r-e-a-t-s,” said McLaughlin with the utmost discretion, as one does in hospitality.

So popular is Stewart with the guests that he even receives his own fan mail. He responds to each and every letter and email, with assistance from Power and her paw print ink stamp.

Writing the children’s book was a “passion project,”  said Power before revealing: “I’m already working on Volume Two: Stewart Loves Ottawa.”

Fairmont Château Laurier employee and children’s book author Lee Power signed copies of Stewart: King of the Castle at the hotel on Friday, June 28, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips

caroline@obj.ca

 

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