“Hey Mom! Today was a whirlwind! Faced off in a Spencerville challenge with Gilbert. Managed to tread a shaky bridge, but oops, the bone fell off. It was scary, I scampered! But no sweat, everyone still loves me just the same, even without winning. So the adventures continue and missing you heaps mom… more than I miss that White Bone! Woof Woof! – Clovie”

Listen to the story here.

Another day, another adventure in Spencerville, the land of endless sunbeams and tail-waggin’ merriment, the paradise of pets we once knew but never said our goodbyes. ‘Twasn’t a place on the map, but in the hearts, you see? A place as real as the sky is blue, and the grass is green.

So it was with my ol’ loyal pal, Clovis, a gentle bull of a fellow, his brindled coat a perfect hide for Spencerville adventures. Of course, he carried the White Bone, wouldn’t have it any other way. That bone was part of who he was, the same as his unyielding loyalty, curious spirit, and the tiny bit of fear he had of heavy rain and loud noises.

Mornings usually went in lazing around our favorite joint, ‘Sniff n’ Snack.’ Oh, the sight of Clovis’ canine grin as he savored the saucy aromas of the house special wet food, could thaw the coldest of hearts. But another aroma filled the Spencerville air that day, something…

“Secondly, Clovis,” I say, nudging him gently as our friend Gilbert trotted over, a sight full of mischief in his brown and white eyes. To spice up Spencerville days, a notorious challenge was afoot and as it happens, Gilbert and Clovis were contenders, ready or not. Before he could reply, Gil was blowing up about how there was a great prize under the golden sun up for grabs. Well, a day’s excursion wasn’t something Clovis would say no to, moreover, the thought of victory had a nice ring to it.

Before long, we found ourselves at Boxer Beach, a lovely spot folks usually called Dudley’s Playground. The mighty Clovis looked determined, yet a little perplexed, as he was to cross a makeshift bridge, all the while, never letting go of the White Bone.

“Don’t drop the bone,” came the cry, from all around – Hyenas from The Howling Husky Hardware Store, Retrievers from The Barking Boutique, the smart Alsatian from The Wagging Tail Bookstore too. But ol’ Clovis? He just grinned on—the kind of grin that’s only brought about by his favorite wet food.

The cheers grew louder, and then it happened. A gust of wind, and I saw his brows furrow. The bone slipped, hitting the bridge plank with a loud ‘bang,’ and that was too much for my brave friend Clovis.

“White Bone!” he whimpered, retreating in a scamper so quick you’d think there was a meteor shower. However, our hero had no reason to worry. The bridge was a gimmick. The prize was never the destination; it was about the journey. The folks of Spencerville welcomed him back as the friendly, fun-loving, and somewhat skittish Clovis they had come to adore.

As the sun set and the lights of Pup-Cakes and The Barkery started twinkling, it dawned on us. We may not have won the challenge, but the adventure had only begun because in Spencerville, every day is a celebration of the ‘them’ we shared our lives with, and a hopeful longing for a reunion that’s just a doggy’s dream away.

The End.