“Hey Mom, spent the night living it up in Pawsburgh: killer pizza (no oranges please!), wild chases at Silver Siberian Summit, brief pause at Red Beach, and capped off with bone broth at Bark Shak. See? Domino’s and Netflix doesn’t cover it all. Oh, and Martha’s blissfully unaware. Chat later, gonna nap now. – Walter Matthau”

Listen to the story here.

Everyone refers to me as Walter. Friends, buddies, acquaintances. Oh, I don’t have any foes, mind you. I am a friendly, waggly-tailed chap, you see. My adventures are unbelievable, you wouldn’t fathom. But they are real, as real as Pawsburgh- the town of nocturnal mutts, dogs, and canines. What’s that you say? You’ve never heard of it? Well, allow me, dear reader, to lead you by the paw, through a day in my life.

Through the shimmering shadows of the moon-soaked night, I trod my way to Pawsburgh. Past the Canine Couture Clothing, and sniffing around the corners of the Pawsitively Purrfect Pet Store, I sprint towards the first and most important task of the evening. Any guesses what that might be? Chow, of course!

It’s here that I treat myself to a swoon-worthy tomato pizza at the Pup-Tastic Pizza. Even thinking about those heavenly slices makes me salivate. The beautiful dance of cheese and tomatoes makes me drool like Pavlov’s dog. But beware! Never, I repeat, never bring an orange near me. The tangy smell and sour taste can ruin my good mood instantly. Funny, right? But, hey, I like what I like.

As the pizza settles in my tummy, my spirit itches for a trip to the adventure-laden Silver Siberian Summit. It’s the excitement of the unpredictable, the sense of danger and thrill that clinches my heart. A rabbit chase could turn into a wild bootleg run, or a harmless howl could stir up the bluejays. Seems petty in human terms, right? But when you’re but a humble Beagle with an all-but-domestic existence, these misadventures make for legendary tales.

Midway, I pause by the Red Beagle Beach. A kind of homage or a tip of the ears, if you will, to my Beagle spirit. The smell of the sea brings a kind of nostalgia, like I belong there. Trust me, it’s my very own thriller. I face the threats and dangers, albeit small, with a bravery that could rival Lassie. Surely, you’ve heard of Lassie?

Night wanes and dawn rears its sleepy head. An adventure-packed evening has me craving caffeine of a canine kind. I drop by Bark Shak, the best cafe in all Pawsburgh. A hot bowl of bone broth later, and I am good to slog through the whole day. Martha, my dear adorable neighbor, doesn’t realize the escapades her friendly neighborhood Beagle endures every night before plopping down on the cushion next to her for a good day’s sleep.

So, reader, remember, every dog has his….night. And I, Walter, am no different.

The End.