Polly is the first Honorary Kitty in this tribe. She’s a happy dog, who always wags her tail not matter what. She rarely barks and prefers to lie on a lap or the couch (or both) all day. No wonder she gets along so well with the Kitties. Some think that she may be one in disguise.

Polly is a mom to lots of pups, who joined other families, but she was left in a bad, unhealthy environment when my sister Julie met her at the veterinary practice. She saved Polly's life, adopting her and bringing her back to a healthy weight and lifestyle. Because of this radical change for the better, Polly is hopelessly devoted to her and the family. Even Mom lets Polly lounge in her spotless, fur-free house during weekend visits!

Polly doesn't like long walks because she'd rather be on the couch in the living room. Why go out, she asks, when you have everything you need at home? She is not used to stairs or car rides: Sometimes, she needs a nudge up or down steps, and someone must always pick her up to get her into the back seat of the car. Carmella has scheduled weekly therapy sessions with her to get to the bottom of these rooted roadblocks.

Polly loves to eat, which Norman, Emily, and Rose completely understand. But, to the surprise of everyone, Mini was Polly's first and fastest Kitty friend, who saw her as the giant, comfy, warm pillow she can be. Polly gets along with everyone, and she wants nothing more than to be lazy and surrounded by love after so many years of hard labor.

Like everyone, though, Polly has her hobbies and other favorite pastimes. Despite the car ride, she looks forward to the routine of going to work with Julie at the veterinary practice, where she can lounge in the back and chat with the other doctors. Also, as most good moms do, she helps my nephew with homework and video game strategies. Polly likes to read everyone a bedtime story each night.

She plays fetch outside sometimes, for at least a few minutes, but that ball is Polly's nemesis. Still, the brief exercise helps her stay trim. Polly is best at bird watching, though, and can name what's what on the spot. She wants to get a parrot and teach it how to talk so it can help her communicate more clearly to everyone. Barking, she says, is pointless.

Polly doesn't pay much attention to the news, except for the hopeful bits. She hears all the important stuff from Carmella and the Kitties and is very impressed with young people, like Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg. I believe that children are our future, she explains, just like Whitney Houston says.

Polly loves all kinds of music but particularly appreciates the classics, like the Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong duets, and music from the '60s and '70s, like Joni Mitchell; Carole King; Crosby, Stills, and Nash; and James Taylor. These days, she's a big fan of BTS (but still prefers fun, harmonizing girl bands, like En Vogue and The Last Dinner Party).

She says the soundtracks to Grease and Xanadu are timeless. It’s true. Polly loves those musicals and so many more. When she's relaxing on the couch, she's usually watching them, classic ‘80s comedies, or fantasy films. Some of her favorites are Ferris Beuller's Day Off (and practically any other John Hughes film); Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, The Princess Bride, Singin' in the Rain, The Sound of Music, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. She loves Tom Hanks, John Candy, John Cusack, Melissa McCarthy, and Julie Andrews.