“Hey Dad, guess who turned big dog in Pawsburg today? Marched past Sniffy, scorned Kibble Cuisine, feasted on pork steak at Fetch-N-Bites, faced down Pampered Pooch gang. Bubster ain’t shy no more! Catch you in dreamland. PS: No dry food, ever. – Bubster 🐾”

Listen to the story here.

In the slightly pungent twilight of Pawsburg, I, Billy Bob – half Cairn, half Yorkie, and wholly in love with myself – padded off towards Brindle Brown Boxer Beach. I’ve always had more affinity for sandcastles than fire hydrants. I shook off the somnolent morning, my tail wagging faster than a Dalmatian hearing the words “fetch”.

On my way, I bumped into Sniffy, the local gossipmonger. “Morning, Bill!” he boomed jovially. I shot him a look, hoping my eyes echoed the sentiment of ‘it’s Billy Bob’. Always hung up on the semantics, I have been told.

I was feeling brave today, so I ventured towards the Fetch-N-Bites eatery, sidestepping Kibble Cuisine – it reeked of dried dog food, my nose alone could file a restraining order against that place. Perusing the menu, I spotted the coveted maple-syrup pork steak. My stomach rumbled like the thunderous roll of the dreaded vacuum cleaner. I faced the prospect with fortitude. The steak’s siren call was insurmountable.

The flavor overwhelmed my senses, momentarily making me forget my torrid relationship with dry food. Oh, the things we bear for scrumptious food, right? I was halfway through when I spotted the fearsome group from the Pampered Pooch Salon strutting down the road. Eyeballing my steak, they seemed intent on mischief.

“Mornin’, Billy Bob,” they drawled, conspicuously eyeing my meal. I stiffened. They knew I was shy, reserved. They knew about my simple pleasures, my sanctuary. I felt a familiar mix of indignation and trepidation bubbling within me.

Channeling every bit of my spirit, I squared my shoulders – or as much as a mix of Cairn and Yorkie can square anything – and stared back. “Good morning. I’d invite you to share, but, I’m afraid there isn’t enough for your bloated egos.”

The Pooch gang stopped short, eying me warily. I didn’t flinch. There was a showdown at the Fetch-N-Bites, and Billy Bob wasn’t backing down. This was my town, my sanctuary. They retreated, licking their wounded pride, while I returned to the blissful bites of my steak.

I headed back to my kingdom, navigating the sun-kissed paths of the Eastern White Westie Woods. There was an unspoken knowledge in Pawsburg today. Billy Bob stood up to the Pooch gang. Billy Bob wasn’t so shy anymore. My tail somehow wagged faster as I settled into my sanctuary, ready to dream of another adventurous sunny day in Pawsburg.

The End.