Author: authorpolk

I live in the suburbs of Washington, DC with my dog, husband, and two sons. I teach environmental education and am a librarian. I also write children's books and hope to be published one day. In the meantime, I blog about the crazy things my dog Pettigrew does.

Support Animals

A sloth. Yes, a sloth is Pettigrew’s support animal. Surprisingly it took me a long time to realize this. First there was the recognition that he was not shredding, but cuddling with his toy sloth. Then I noticed that when he is feeling strong emotion, he tracks down his sloth and tosses him around in … Continue reading Support Animals →

Just Love

“Just love,” I call out, throwing my voice ahead of me, as Pettigrew hurries us towards the woman in the neon yellow jacket standing in the middle of the street with her arms stretched wide. Sandy, the school crossing guard, keeps a pocketful of treats for the dogs that pass her intersection. A flash of … Continue reading Just Love →

In My Own Voice #13: Just Kill Me Now

Can you explain what’s going on? Seriously, I don’t understand. The paw washing persists! Yes, you read that right. The white, wet stuff is gone from the ground, but the paw washing continues. Is this the new normal? I say, empathically, No. I had been somewhat reconciled when I thought washing was a necessary evil … Continue reading In My Own Voice #13: Just Kill Me Now →

In My Own Voice #12: Wonderful, Wonderful Winter

What’s not to love? That burst of cold air when you step outside. The breeze that ruffles your fur and flips an ear. The cold, wet ground permeating through your paws. The discovery that the world has been coated white. The muted crunch as snow collapses under your weight. The joy of it! I zip … Continue reading In My Own Voice #12: Wonderful, Wonderful Winter →

A life lived in the moment

What makes an old dog keep going? I pondered this as Pettigrew succumbed with his usual grace to yet another stomach ailment. At this point, he doesn’t even rouse himself from the sofa when I stumble downstairs in the predawn darkness, cautiously flipping on lights before I step into a room. I no longer risk … Continue reading A life lived in the moment →

All is White; It Snowed Last Night

Cold. Wet. White. Wonderful, wonderful snow! Pettigrew zips in tight circles around our snow-filled yard. Bounds through drifts. Stops on our walks to mark every snow pile from a cleared off sidewalk or driveway. Is it the joy of discovering a world transformed? Something new to enliven the old? Today he led me on a … Continue reading All is White; It Snowed Last Night →

Neighborhood Watch or Busybody?

As someone who loves language, words, and a good story, I have long been aware that there is often a positive and negative way to describe an event. Or maybe it dates back to when, as a little girl, my mother told me that what we know about someone else is only part of the … Continue reading Neighborhood Watch or Busybody? →

In My Own Voice #11: The Land of the Sideways Trees

Have you noticed? Something is definitely wrong out there. I have several walking routes. I make the circuit of all of them every week to ensure my territory stays clearly marked. I know the location of every tree, bush, shrub, fire hydrant, telephone pole, and street sign. It’s my business to know these things. And, … Continue reading In My Own Voice #11: The Land of the Sideways Trees →

The Weather Outside is Frightful…*

It was close to an ultimatum. One minute I was curled up on the couch, talking to one of my oldest friends curled up opposite me. Between us, Pettigrew lounged. The next minute I was contemplating the ending of a friendship that had spanned decades. How had this happened? Weren’t we just catching up after … Continue reading The Weather Outside is Frightful…* →