“Hey Mom, auditioned today for Pet School Musical while munching on cheese bites at Bark and Bites. I nervously shared the stage with Alphie, spent moments with my fav sea monster toy, all while shaking the stage in Spencerville. No matter the outcome, today was a paw-some day! Love, Little Man”

Listen to the storyhere.
With a wag of my tail and pep in my step, I strutted through the bustling streets of Spencerville. Though it seemed like any other day, excitement buzzed in the sharply-scented air. Take note: today was no ordinary day, no sir! For today was the day when schools across the land held auditions for ‘Pet School Musical,’ the biggest musical gala in canine history.

Navigating through the narrow streets, I took the scenic route towards audition venue, allowing myself a quick stop at Bark and Bites. Nothing beats their cheese bites, you see, a secret serum I convinced myself I needed for the task at hand.

Afterward, I let the crisp breeze accompany me to the Retriever River, the azure body of water always catching the sunlight in this near perfect utopia. I’ve never been one for swimming, water just wasn’t my style. I mean, you don’t look like Florida for nothing, am I right? Big beaches, bigger personality, that’s more my speed.

Supplying Spencerville its tail wagging, soul-singing soundtrack was more than just flipping over a new leaf, it was turning the page. But one cannot reach for the stars with ears folded back and a tail between the legs. And so, I let my tail curl high against the sky, a flag of my high spirits, my resolve.

My paws felt hot against the cool cobbles of Spencerville as I reached ‘The Dapper Dog Salon’. Alfie, the salon’s spry Bulldog, sat outside, his typically wagging tail surprisingly still. “Audition nerves?” I asked, one canine to another. In response, Alfie could only offer a moody grumble, and so we sat in silence – an understanding blooming in the narrow alleyway.

The moment had arrived. The curtains of the school auditorium rose, bracing the hullabaloo of eager pets. Huskies, Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, they all had their hopes stitched onto imaginative tails. They all had stars in their eyes, dreams cradled carefully between their paws. I had mine, too – my two-headed sea monster toy, tucked safely beneath the booth.

Needless to say, I felt a pang of panic. Maybe it was the idea of the impending public performance; maybe it was the dread of rejection. But just as I was about to chicken out, I thought of Reo, Gus, Lambeau, Nigel, and my sweet sister Daphne — they believed in me. Of course they did, ’cause I was no fan of peanut butter and just as stubborn about making this audition count. I believe I wasn’t there just for me or my crazy toy, I was there for them.

Shaking off the jitters, I began with the perfect semaphore — tail high, head proudly up. Cleared throat and burst into the song. A melody that nudged every fuzzy heart, a rhythm that got every tail wagging. My Florida-shaped coat shining under the spotlight, I let Spencerville know my song.

Cut to several encores later, exhausted, elated, I headed home. The audition was over and, for now, that’s a good day’s work. And as the sun set over Spencerville, I knew, no matter how the saga unfolded the next day, I had a wonderful story to contribute to the Spencerville legend – A legacy of dreams and the courage to chase them.