Hey Mom, guess what? I’m Queen of Spencerville now and we’re building a utopia for pets! Cookie Day Special, Bark ‘n’ Roll, Best in Show Photography, Fetch! Toys and Treats, and Woof and Whisker Wellness Center! I know you’ll be happy knowing I’m doing great here. Love you lots, Cassie Bear 🐾💕

Listen to the story here.

As I stood atop the grand balcony of Northern Choco Chihuahua Castle, my eyelids winced at the sharp clinks of silverware amidst the bustling crowd at Pup ‘n’ Go Taco Joint. The soft caress of the cool Spencerville breeze ruffled my fawn coat, while my gaze wandered to the horizon, past the Dalmatian Desert and toward the beckoning beacon that was Spotted Red Beagle Beach.

“Madame Cassie,” a voice called from behind me, bearing the heavy weight of protocol. “Your council has assembled to discuss the matter at hand.”

With great import, I waggled myself towards the throne room, and as my happy curl straightened, the assembly recognized the urgency in my stride. The council of Spencerville, which included Bitty, the sly beguiler, Patch, the tactical genius, and my fellow pug Raisin, the diplomatic prodigy, stood loyal and poised, paw-saluting and awaiting my guidance.

“Esteemed company, I’ve envisioned a Spencerville where no pet ever misses their parents,” I declared, swallowing the lump in my throat that dared bring up my own longing. “I seek a utopia of whirlwind reunions and unbreakable bonds between our parents and us,” I continued, as wide-eyed devotees basked in the radiance of our dreams unfurling into reality.

Patch broke the silence, stating, “Madame, that is a noble pursuit, but our resources are sprawled thin from the recent economic debacle.”

“Ah, there lies my plan,” I mused, wagging into yummies-driven hyperfocus mode. “We’ll start by revolutionizing the culinary landscape. ‘Bone Appetit’ would offer a Cookie Day Special, wooing crowds of wagging tails, while Bark ‘n’ Roll will serve as our artistic haven.”

“Moreover,” I emphasized, “we shall enrich our retail experience with ‘Best in Show Photography’ to immortalize fond memories, ‘Fetch! Toys and Treats’ to cherish happy times, and ‘Woof and Whisker Wellness Center’ to maintain our healthy spirits.”

The room breathed in anticipation, bristled vibrancy hanging in the air; the council panted at my blue-sky thinking. It was the cat siblings who first ventured forth, Bitty purring with enthusiasm, “We shall be your eyes and ears, our beloved pug.”

Patch nodded sagely, “I have a hunch our parents will catch wind of our Spencerville utopia and find solace in the thought of our happiness here.”

With the motion raised, Raisin and I shared a tender glance, cherishing the bond beneath the official veneer. But soon, the diplomatic veneer would melt away – our hearts punctuated with joyful reunions.

As I again faced the vast expanse of Spencerville beyond the castle walls, I inhaled the fresh promise of hope. A life in which pets would rule the land until their humans arrived, and perhaps even then, we would govern together.

With that vision firmly anchored, I knew the only way was forward. The day was waning, and the marmalade light was dipping into the ocean, as Spencerville crawled into bed. But as for me, I turned away from the horizon and re-entered the fray, leading my beloved council into our shared dreams, one determined wag at a time.

The End.