VILLAGE PET PAGES By Joy Pape and Brian Pape
Maple ─ Small Dog, Big City
By Elizabeth Ackerman
MABLE PERCHED ON ELIZABETH’S BED, carefully watching the happenings outside the window onto West 4th Street.
Dogs are more than just pets. They are neighbors, local legends, and often fixtures of the community. For my family, that role belongs to Maple.
Maple is the inspiration behind my children’s book, Small Dog, Big City, which follows her adventure on a walk through the streets of the West Village. The honking taxis, rumbling garbage trucks, and towering buildings feel overwhelming… until the neighborhood begins to say hello back. The book is told in a warm, playful rhyme and takes the reader on an emotional journey from fear to confidence. While the story is written for children, it’s also a love letter to the neighborhood we call home and to the dog who has brought so much joy to our family.
MAPLE STEPPING OUTSIDE her apartment on Bank Street.
Like many great stories, Maple’s began with a simple desire for companionship. I rescued Maple (her pre-adoption name was Flossy) in 2015 in Los Angeles. There was an adoption at the farmer’s market and I was there to meet a different puppy. The foster parent of this puppy was late, a common consequence of Los Angeles traffic, and thanks to that twist of fate, I spent the majority of my time with Maple. I tried to push aside the love and admiration I felt growing for Maple each time she would cuddle up to me. However, I knew deep down in my heart that she was perfect. Her personality was sweet and timid, but also spunky. Her foster family let me know that she was the best dog they had ever helped. I knew I couldn’t let this opportunity slip away and with that, she came home with me!
Maple’s unique appearance has always been a topic of conversation. She is a Papillon and Dachshund mix. Her coat is a blend of browns, caramels, and highlights of white. However, recently she is whiter than ever before, emphasizing her age and wisdom. Her long, lean body, short legs, and large, butterfly-like ears give her a distinctive look. To top it all off, one ear is always perked up and alert, while the other hangs down and is relaxed.
MAPLE STROLLING DOWN Bleecker Street. All images courtesy of Elizabeth Ackerman.
She is gentle and one of the most affectionate dogs I’ve ever met, but also values her independence. Playful and curious, she would be happy to spend every day chasing squirrels, pigeons, and geese on the West Side Highway. Her walks along the Hudson River are where she feels most relaxed and connected to her neighborhood. The wind breezes through her hair and all the smells excite her. She falls into a rhythmic pace and spends her walks greeting other dogs, chasing wildlife, yanking her leash to ensure she sniffs under a specific tree at the Morton Street intersection, and barking at scooters and skateboards. At 11 years old, her days are a little slower than they once were. When she’s not out exploring and asking for treats at PlantShed, her favorite coffee shop, or on a stroll down Bleecker Steet stopping in and out of stores, or running errands with the family, she spends most of her time sleeping perched on my bed, carefully watching the happenings outside the window facing West 4th Street. She has furry neighborhood friends, that without a doubt always make her bark from her perch.
With her age her desire to be involved has never waned. As our family grew, Maple naturally became part of every chapter. She has been there for the celebrations, the homecoming of two babies, the quiet evenings at home, and the countless walks through the neighborhood. She has a special relationship with every member of our family. My son, a curious 2-year old, and Maple have the most tumultuous connection. With her limited patience in her older age and my son’s inability to use “gentle hands,” managing their relationship sometimes feels like a full-time job. However, a recent shift has taken place and I can see them forming a bond that is playful, protective, and almost sibling-like. The idea for the book emerged from those everyday moments. I wanted to capture the joy Maple brings to our family and share it with other children. From Maple’s point of view, I wanted to celebrate the neighborhood that has shaped so many of our memories. The charming cobblestone streets, regular encounters with historic landmarks like the Washington Square Arch, daily “hellos” with friendly faces at Jane Laundromat, Yoya NYC children’s boutique, her favorite restaurants, Pastis and Barbuto, and the endless energy experienced in the West Village that has kept my Maple young. Watching Maple explore the West Village reminded me that there is wonder hidden in places we often take for granted.
MAPLE ADMIRING the Washington Square Arch.
Writing a children’s book centered on Maple resulted in a story that encourages young readers to be curious, explore their surroundings, and appreciate the people and places that make their neighborhood unique. Through Maple’s journey to her favorite West Village streets, landmarks, and shops, I hope children discover the magic of curiosity, the importance of community, and the joy that can be found right outside their front door. After all, sometimes the best adventures aren’t the ones that take us far away… they’re the ones waiting in our own neighborhood.
To learn more about Maple or to purchase your copy of Small Dog, Big City, visit Elizabeth-Ackerman.com. Small Dog, Big City is also available on Amazon.
MAPLE CROSSING the street in the big city.
