With the passing of Major Thorkildsen, his widow drinks too much and his loyal dog Tassen is eating too many treats. As they recover, the two unexpectedly find common ground, visiting the local library to research Roald Amundsen's expedition to the South Pole led by a pack of intrepid dogs. But the quiet days are disrupted by the arrival of Mrs. T's son and daughter in-law, who—eager to move in to the Major's spacious house—plan to send Mrs. T to a nursing home. Yet Tassen and Mrs. T aren't about to give up, and they have a plan of their own.

"[Hans-Olav] Thyvold's moving, inspirational tale is a real treat."—Library Journal (starred review)