“Hey, aced the Pet Games today! Dodged water, dreaded vacuums & sneaky broccoli. An unlikely alliance with Rover, we aced it together. Ended day surrounded by pals, savoring the win, dreaming for tomorrow’s escapade. Not bad for a one-eyed Chi, right? Don’t answer that! 😜 – Little Man”

Listen to the story here.

There I was, Baxter, waking up to another bright day in Pawsburg, the hidden canine paradise. You see folks, Pawsburg is this ‘on-the-DL’ town where dogs like me rendezvous when our humans are preoccupied. It’s our own little secret. But that day wasn’t going to be just another day, it was the day of Pet Games. Games that push us pets to our limits against each other for supremacy, or in layman’s terms, who gets dibs on the best sunbathing spots.

“Yo, Baxter, you ready for the Pet Games?” Rocco, the Ridgeback at the Gold Retriever River’s bank barked. I glanced nervously at the river, deep and splashy, reminding me of that time my human thought swimming would be a good idea. Fiasco, that was!

“I’ve got a vision problem, not an ambition problem, Rocco,” I shot him a glib grin. The last thing I needed was another swimming experience. That and broccoli. Here’s a tip. Never trust broccoli.

With a belly full of Ruff-n-Ready’s chicken delight – without the sneaky broccoli – I found myself at the dreaded starting point. The whistle blew and before I could analyze the situation, I was running. I darted into Pet Partners Pet Supplies, hoping to find an edge with some well-placed equipment. I spotted my beloved lamb chop toy, clutching it for reassurance. I always was the daredevil fetch pro, after all.

False alarms of the vacuum and unexpected snow patches freaked me out a few times, causing me to dart into The Snooty Snout Boutique for safety. In theory, the Pet Games were a grand, regal event. But truthfully, it was us dogs being comical and dramatic over small victories, like Woody Allen on a good day.

At the end of the ridiculously fun, yet challenging games, it was down to me and Rover, the chocolate lab who was clearly born for this. I was exhaustively stationed at Siberian Summit as the wind blew fiercely in my one-eyed face, much to Rover’s amusement.

All of us had friends and enemies alike in Pawsburg, but at such moments, we’d find these unexpected allies. Rover and I – we were not the best of friends but that day, we created a bond- a mutual lack of love for water, the tie that binds us, if you will.

“I got your back, Bax,” Rover shot me an assuring nod and escorting me to Red Beagle Beach, bypassing the water courses. After all, nothing screams ‘Comedic Saturday’ like an unlikely kinship between two sworn game competitors.

Back at Ruff-n-Ready for the after-game festivities, I found myself surrounded by my friends, telling tales of my brave encounters in the games. Life could be simple. No vacuums, misguided swims or broccoli – Just love, friends, some fetch, and Pawsburg’s community spirit. After all, the best way to wrap up a day is surrounded by those you love wondering, “What will the next episode bring?”

And with a sigh, I closed my eyes dreaming of tomorrow’s adventures, savoring today’s victory, reassured of my supremacy and appreciating the beauty of this unusual life in the comical town of Pawsburg. Because I, Baxter, was not just a double threat, I was a threat and a half. Not too bad for a one-eyed Chihuahua, huh? Don’t answer that.

The End.