Hey Mom, Killed it at the dog show today. Rope pulling against Jessie, she had me at first, but thought of a juicy tomato gave me the win. Life lesson: It’s about the challenge & enjoying the tomatoes (or wins) on your plate. 🍅 Side note: Jessie can’t have her cake & my tomato! Woof 🐾 – Walter Matthau

Listen to the story here.

Greyhound Grove was vibrant and buzzing with activity when I, Walter, the Beagle who’d become a staple in Pawsburg, set my paw in its leafy territory. This wasn’t my first dog show competition. Heck, I had been declared the fastest tail-wagger the previous year. But rope pulling? That was a challenge not meant for any ordinary dog.

Down at Lower Dalmatian Desert, the sweltering heat was making things tough. But Jessie, the nimble-minded poodle, had a way of using her wit to turn things around. No one knew how she managed to cross the heated sands with her light paws. My stubbornness dared me to do the same, but every Beagle learns that burning your paws is not a good idea.

The competition began, a heated game between all contestants, the showdown taking place amid the aromatic settings of The Cat’s Meow Sushi, Pawsburgh’s most reputed restaurant. I stared at the rope that was placed between Jessie and me. “No poodle is going to outwit a Beagle today,” I muttered under my breath.

Jessie’s eyes twinkled mischievously; they always do before she weaves magic into the game. Rocky, the stalwart German shepherd, made a futile attempt to galvanize the rest of us competing. But we knew better. We knew winning against Jessie was as tough as nibbling on a chunk of chocolate. Oh, the mere thought of it repelled me!

With a sudden enactment of courage, I planted my paws in the sand, firmly gripping the rope between my teeth. The whistle blew, and the pull began. I knew at once she was winning – that slight smirk behind her fluffy mustache was hard to miss. But then I recalled the juicy tomato from The Canine Cafe, the thought of which sprouted a hidden courage in me. I pulled with all my might, surprise registering on Jessie’s face as she stumbled backward.

A cheer erupted from the sidelines. My heart pounded wildly in my chest as the crowd chanted my name, “Walter, Walter!” I gave another mighty pull, and something changed in the air. The rope slackened. Jessie was left in the dust, and I, the defiant Beagle, was the last dog standing.

In the end, I learned that competitions are not just about winning or losing but the spirit of participation. Not to mention, the prospect of receiving a red, juicy tomato from The Canine Cafe as a consolation prize wasn’t so bad after all. Jessie may have taken the cake, but I was more than happy with my tomato. And really, isn’t that what life’s all about? Taking the challenges as they come and enjoying the tomatoes on your plate – or should I say, in your dog bowl?

So, here’s to you, Jessie, the reigning queen of Pawsburg. You can outsmart me any day, darling, but when it comes to a juicy tomato? Well, you can’t have your cake and eat mine too!

The End.