Tim McHugh, 51, is well-known for his acoustic folk-rock band, The Lost Poets.

Now a married father of three, he was recently inspired to write about his family pet. McHugh reads from and talks about his book, "Ivan! A Pound Dog's View on Life, Love, and Leashes," at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at Village Books.

For more on his book and on McHugh, see http://foreverivan.com and http://timmchugh.net. For a short song about Ivan, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iYSU6z_nAc.

Question: Talk about your transition from musician to writer.

Answer: Tim McHugh & the Lost Poets was a big part of the Bellingham music scene during the '90s but I'm still writing music. In fact, both my writing and music came together recently when I wrote a bluesy song, "Pound Dog King." I combined it with some hilarious old videos and pictures of my dog Ivan, in whose voice my book is written, and posted it on YouTube.

I always thought Ivan, who maintained his easygoing attitude despite having lumps on his head, a missing eye, crooked teeth and a dramatic underbite, would make a great inspirational character, so I wrote "Ivan! A Pound Dog's View of Life, Love and Leashes" from his point of view.

My literary agent-turned-friend fell in love with both Ivan and the story, and with persistence was able to secure a publishing deal.

Q: What's your day job?

A: I'm privileged to teach English at State Street High School in Sedro-Woolley. It is a publicly funded alternative school and I work with what many would consider at-risk youth.

The kids I teach remind me a lot of Ivan in that they're often judged unfairly by their appearances and backgrounds, but, like Ivan, they more than make up for that in character. My students were part of the inspiration to write the book - they're all underdogs, after all.

Q: Throughout the book you refer to many philosophical points of view, namely Tolstoy, Thoreau, Emerson and Descartes. How do those writers and thinkers influence who you are, and why did you integrate them into your "dog philosophy"?

A: Tolstoy, Thoreau and Emerson's belief in simplicity as the key to happiness has always inspired me. Ivan embodied that simplicity. Ivan's name was actually inspired by Tolstoy's own classic character, Ivan Illych, a "model" citizen who did everything he was supposed to as he climbed the social ladder only to find that in the end that he'd missed a lot of life.

Naming Ivan after Tolstoy's character was purposely ironic, since a dog could care less about social status or credentials. Though the world laughed at Ivan's looks and he survived some pretty rough times, he loved everybody and never stopped wagging his tail - especially at mealtime! I think that's a great role model.

Q: What does your family think of the book?

A: My family loves it! While writing the book we reminisced about stories I had forgotten. Ivan was there through all of life's seasons, from the birth of our kids at home to the passing of my father and other elders in the family.

Q: How did your father influence you as you were growing up?

A: My dad was a lot like Ivan - bighearted and easygoing, even though he did suffer physically. Ivan and my Dad inspired me to embrace and love life every day no matter how I'm feeling.

Q: You continue to have many roles in our community; teacher, musician, community activist, dad and father. Dog owner. How do you integrate all that you do?

A: I have an incredible wife and wonderful kids and we're all passionate and supportive about what we each do. The YouTube music video features my son Casey on the violin, and Morgan's singing with me, along with Kristina and Dana Lyons.

Q: Ivan was a pound dog: any thoughts on adopting them as pets?

A: I think pound dogs (meaning strays, mutts, or shelter dogs) make the ultimate pets, and Ivan manifests their greatest qualities. Ivan's a battle-scarred veteran of life, yet he happily wags his tail regardless of his condition, giving love without hesitation; a good example for us all.

I hope his story will inspire others to adopt pets from shelters. In fact, Turner Publishing is donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book to animal rescue organizations, which would have made Ivan proud.