Resilience. Adaptability. Flexibility. These used to just be words to me. Now, I’m living their reality. With the family’s invasion of my floor, I’ve had to get creative about where to sleep. The sofa, one of my favs, is often occupied. Sometimes I’m OK with sharing, but sleeping is an intimate activity. There’s not much … Continue reading In My Own Voice # 27: Expanding My Horizons
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.
In My Own Voice #26: The Jig is Up
Wouldn’t you say you behave a bit differently depending on the situation and those present? Sometimes more relaxed, sometimes more formal? Well, I take different people out for a walk at different times of the day. They each have their own expectations. The oldest male has a route and he sticks to it no matter … Continue reading In My Own Voice #26: The Jig is Up
In My Own Voice #25: Holding Out for the Good Stuff
As you know, I carefully monitor the deliveries to our home and, lately, we’ve been getting boxes and boxes of the good stuff. Can you believe, for countless years I accepted my fate and crunched my way through hard, dry pellets they called food! If I had known then what I know now, well, let … Continue reading In My Own Voice #25: Holding Out for the Good Stuff
In My Own Voice #24: Come on People, Focus!
Everyone seems to be wandering around in la la land these days. Schedules out the window! Meals. Walks. There’s no rhyme or reason to when things will happen anymore! In truth, I am getting a bit concerned about my family. Last week there was that whole bit where they didn’t think I could make it … Continue reading In My Own Voice #24: Come on People, Focus!
In My Own Voice #23: Who Can Resist a Dare?
My family should know better than to dare me. But, it seems some things folks will never learn. In truth, it wasn’t a dare they issued to me. No, they didn’t have the nerve to say it to my face. I had to overhear it. Which, of course, is even worse! A few weeks into … Continue reading In My Own Voice #23: Who Can Resist a Dare?
In My Own Voice #22: Is This the New Normal?
So, what’s the deal? I ask you. My family is STILL around. All THE TIME. No one seems to go anywhere. The house is full. People playing music, talking, eating, watching TV, exercising. What happened to my nice, restful existence? Truly, this used to be a quiet place. Relaxing. A space where a fellow could … Continue reading In My Own Voice #22: Is This the New Normal?
In My Own Voice #21: A Reactive Dog Teaches Social Distancing
The poor dear has seemed a bit more frazzled than usual this week, so I decided to write the blog for her… Again. She hasn’t been bringing home bags and bags of food like she did last week, in fact, now that I think about it, I don’t believe she’s been shopping once! So unlike … Continue reading In My Own Voice #21: A Reactive Dog Teaches Social Distancing
In My Own Voice #20: Older & Wiser
The Female has been going a bit nutso this past week. Every time I turn around she’s toting another load of grocery bags into the house. I’ve carefully examined all the purchases and am sorry to report that her selections leave something to be desired. Lots of cans. Nothing tasty. She’s also spending an inordinate … Continue reading In My Own Voice #20: Older & Wiser
Answering the Questions You Didn’t Think to Ask: Do Dogs Have a Paw Preference?
Several years ago our neighbor Leah recruited Pettigrew for her middle school science project. Given that treats were central to the study design, Pettigrew was all in. On the agreed upon day, she came to our house and set up her experiment: a treat stashed under the sofa. She then observed which paw Pettigrew used … Continue reading Answering the Questions You Didn’t Think to Ask: Do Dogs Have a Paw Preference?
In the Eye of the Beholder
Do dogs feel disgust? My friend thinks so. And I am hard-pressed to come up with an alternative explanation. Stella, a past guest blogger (In Her Own Voice: Stella Is this Week’s Guest Blogger), is an adorable golden retriever and Pettigrew’s best gal pal. However, she has an alarming habit of eating trash when we … Continue reading In the Eye of the Beholder
