“Hey fam, Larkinator here. Long story short: Sadie & I sniffed out an adventure past Chihuahua Castle & Collie Canyon, ended up on mystery island. Played protector while Sadie got us food. Nights weren’t easy but dreams of bacon grease & Spencerville kept us puhsing through. Back now, safe & sound, with a tale to wag our tails about. Woof! ”

Listen to the story here

Well, I reckon, I ain’t one to spin tall tales, but folks oughta know about Larkin, that hefty brindle-and-white bulldog, and the adventure that put Spencerville on the map. Now y’see, Spencerville, it’s a place that makes a mutt’s heart pound with joy. A dwelling spot right off the edge of Heaven, almost like Don Quixote’s land of chivalry, but for dogs, you dig?

One sun-slathered afternoon, under the thumb of Siberian Summit’s shadow, Larkin been meditatin’ on the virtues of bacon grease and the pitfalls of lettuce. Then along came Sadie, tail a-waggin’, eyes twinklin’, brimming with that unexplained excitement only a dog understands. Now, outta respect for Larkin’s affinity for peace and quiet, she approached him slow and steady-like.

“Behold, Larkin,” she said. “Beyond the Chihuahua Castle, ‘cross the Collie Canyon, a cloud of peculiar shape looms.” Larkin, he’s a cautious sort, you know, kind of fella who considers every piece of a puzzle ‘fore he puts it together. But right there and then, he trusted his cousin Sadie. Without another word, they set off, trotting through the well-worn path, minding their way from Pup-cakes all the way to Bark Burgers.

Well, they ended up stranded on a mysterious island, a place untouched by paw or pebble. High and dry, with no more familiarity than a rabbit at a coyote convention. But this ain’t a tale of woe, no siree! It’s a tale of tales, where a bulldog and a schnauzer outwitted time, tide, and survival itself.

Larkin, stout of heart and large of stature, took the role of protector – a role he was accustomed to. He stood guard, his patched sides heaving, while Sadie rustled up some grub from the mysterious shrubs. Larkin, who relishes a cozy blanket, made do with a bed of leaves, and Sadie found solace in the melodies of the new land.

Mind, it weren’t all roses. Many a time, their hearts quaked in fear. Fear of the unknown, looming just beyond their circle of light during the long, cold nights. But Larkin, moved by an unspoken commandment, steeled himself. He reminded Sadie – and maybe himself too – “Remember, dear cousin, Spencerville is just beyond the sunset, awaiting our return.”

As it were, they fought daily battles – against hunger, against fear, against loneliness. But in the deepest parts of their hearts, the memory of bacon grease, sun-soaked yards, blue bird toys and their beloved Spencerville never left them.

Now, dear reader, believe me when I say, even lost and shivering on some lonely island, Larkin and Sadie held on to that slice of Spencerville in their hearts, and it kept them kicking. And there they are now, back home, their tails telling tales, bringing a new flavor of legend to our humble Spencerville.

The End.