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Little Maggie, a 6-month-old adorable Scottish terrier, has the fame that goes with being featured in her own book, and the authors, a new friend and better handle on the English language.

Linnie Brown teaches in the Public Schools English as a Second Language program for Maryville College and just finished up a month-long session with intermediate and middle school students who have moved here from Japan recently. She found herself being caretaker for her daughter's Scottish terrier puppy Maggie one week and decided it might be a fun and educational experience for Maggie to go to school at Eagleton Middle. She packed her up with the necessary supplies -- dog bed, water bowl, treats and other comforts from home -- and off she went.

It didn't take Maggie long to weave her way into the students' lives. She did everything they did, or at least tried to, and went home exhausted at the end of every day.

She learned some geography -- namely where Tennessee, Hawaii and also Japan are located. She especially enjoyed reading "Zack's Alligator Goes to School," and playing baseball and tennis. She did discover, however, that Scottie legs are much too short for tennis.

A week in the life

Brown used this week to help her students improve their English speaking and writing skills. The teacher first wrote her own book. "Maggie Goes to Summer School," and then had each of her students write their own versions of how the week went.

The Japanese students wrote about Maggie playing tug-of-war with a mop and the long naps she took by their sides. She rose each day at 5:45 a.m. to make the journey with Brown from their home in Dandridge. The playful pup even stopped in at Starbucks for a fresh bowl of water and ice.

Through the whole experience, Brown took photos of Maggie in action. Maggie behind the wheel of Brown's car. Maggie asleep at nap time. Maggie consulting the Japanese-English dictionary. Maggie and a locator map of Tennessee. Maggie chasing a cricket. And Maggie on the ride home.

The students each wrote a three-chapter book in their own words. Brown said most of the students have never had a dog as a pet and were at first apprehensive. By the end of the week, that apprehension was replaced by loving hugs.

It was a fantastic experience for the students, Brown said. And Maggie had a ball as well.

The students' books ended with Maggie looking out the back window of Brown's car and getting one last look at her new friends as she rode away. The books were to be laminated and taken home to enjoy with family.

Maggie's summer session was one they won't soon forget.