The Stray Who Stayed: How One Dog Found a Home and a Place in Local Literature
Excelsior Springs, Mo.– Robert G. Pettegrew spent 43 years managing golf courses, raised a family across several states, earned a teaching credential from William Jewell College, and later taught social studies in a small Missouri town. Out of all the places he has visited and lived, one of the most impactful characters to walk into his life was four-legged, mangey, and living on the streets of a small Missouri town in the early 2000’s. He named him Vernon Earl.
During that time, Pettegrew wrote several children’s books in notebooks, inspired by the true experiences and from the perspective of what he describes as, “the coolest dog I’ve ever had.”
Although Pettegrew began writing about the adventures of Vernon Earl shortly after he took him in, it wasn’t until January of 2025, several years after Vernon’s passing, that he and his wife Mary began the process of publishing while living near Excelsior Springs. Mary shared that Robert has always been a storyteller, and Vernon Earl’s story always pulled at his heart.
Through local connections, they were referred to an illustrator located in São Paulo, Brazil, Vivian Saad. Pettegrew and Saad have successfully published four of the five books, with the last expected to be available to purchase by the end of this year.
The first book was published in April, titled Vernon Earl Find a New Home, and tells the true story of how he found his person in Pettegrew, despite being the town’s known long-term stray. The series goes on to cover fun and mysterious adventures, from buying bones at John’s Supermarket or joining Pettegrew in his classroom and napping in the principal’s office.
Pettegrew and his wife, Mary, say the books are built from these exact memories, with just enough fluff needed for kids to enjoy them. “They are true stories,” she explained. “They’re just written in a way for kids.” Adults in the illustrations do not have faces, an intentional choice that keeps the focus on the dog and the children. Each book includes a simple, repeating phrase that threads the scenes together so early readers can anticipate and participate.
Here is the full series in order, linked directly to their Amazon purchase links:
- Vernon Earl Finds a New Home
- Vernon Earl Don’t Give That Dog a Bone
- Vernon Earl and the Magic Scoop
- Vernon Earl Goes to School
- Book 5 Coming Winter 2025
The fifth and final book, according to Pettegrew, will feature many of their other beloved family pets to wrap up his adventures.
The Pettegrews are donating all proceeds equally between illustrator Vivian Saad, and a mix of local non-profits that benefit animals, They have purchased stacks of author copies to give away, and they intend to approach libraries once all five books are complete so that local children can have the opportunity to discover Vernon Earl’s story for years to come.
While the books are fun and engaging, Pettegrew is deeply moved by the impact Vernon Earl made on his life, and wanted to share that with others. For families who love dogs or hope to teach their children compassion with real stories, this is an opportunity to support a local storyteller who put all of his love and respect for Vernon Earl into print.
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