Chester cancelled Pettigrew. I know that’s harsh to say; but, unfortunately, it’s true. And, like so many of these types of situations, it all started with a simple misunderstanding. When we used to run into each other on our jaunts about town, the two dogs would happily greet each other. Tails wagging vigorously. Busy circling … Continue reading Cancel Culture
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.
Choosing Life, Choosing Joy
When I was younger, I didn’t understand the proactive role we must play to find joy. Joy and happiness seemed like magic. Wonderful things could happen over which I didn’t have control. In elementary school I was stunned when my new sneakers didn’t propel me safely to first base. I remember looking at them in … Continue reading Choosing Life, Choosing Joy
Separating the Wheat from the Chaff
Conferences are notorious for being a lot of noise with a little bit of helpful information mixed in. I’ve always held that if you glean one or two useful nuggets, you’ve done well. Yet there are some areas of my life where I find myself more prone to believing that there is a right way … Continue reading Separating the Wheat from the Chaff
Small Moments
The language of love fascinates me and I have written about it before [Just Love, The Fur’s Flying in My Language of Love, Unconditional Love, A Much Loved Dog Has Many Names]. I think it’s because something that seems self-evident, universal, and easy, isn’t. The person who loves hearing soft words won’t necessarily feel loved by the one … Continue reading Small Moments
In My Parents’ Attic
My sister started it, and now my mother has embraced it too, the push to clear my parents’ attic of all the flotsam and jetsam stashed there. As a pack rat by nature, I approach this enterprise with caution and only when prodded. Several months ago I duly spent hours opening boxes and revisiting elements … Continue reading In My Parents’ Attic
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! -or- How I Found Myself at a Big 10 Football Game
Dr. Seuss’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go! addresses the challenges in transitioning from one life stage to another. For better or worse, the book has become a somewhat clichéd gift to graduating students, with some critics arguing that it is creating false expectations that greatness awaits us all and that the path to success lies … Continue reading Oh, the Places You’ll Go! -or- How I Found Myself at a Big 10 Football Game
Can’t Nothing Hold Me Down
Pettigrew epitomizes the can do attitude. As an elder statesman, well into his double digits, Pettigrew is slowing down. But for the things that matter most, he finds a way. As a pup, Pettigrew was all grace as he leapt on top of walls, cleared logs that had fallen across the trail, and bounded onto … Continue reading Can’t Nothing Hold Me Down
To the Manor Born
A red velvet-covered dog pillow onto which a tired body could sink, the feather stuffing settling to create a cozy nest. A hand, heavy with rings dangling over an armrest to lazily stroke a furry back. Stolen from under the cook’s nose, a bone with meat scraps clinging to its surface. Or, surreptitiously passed under … Continue reading To the Manor Born
Unconditional Love
It’s me. I know; it must be me. Perhaps my breath is bad? Or maybe it’s my pants? Yes, my pants are not soft enough. How else can I explain what happened the other day? Curling up on the sofa to watch a movie, I found myself alone; hubby and the kids were not interested … Continue reading Unconditional Love
A Question of Science
Pettigrew has proven to be a willing participant in my forays into scientific research. Part of it may be because food figures prominently in my study design. For information about our first study together see Food Glorious Food. The last few years there has been conflicting information about healthy eating. Fat is good; sugar is … Continue reading A Question of Science
