“Hey Mom & Dad! Just want to say I had the craziest summer ever. Our squad and I ended up castaway style on Popcorn Island! It was ruff, but I led the team, dug up 5-star root veggies – island-style fries! We even survived nights in a shipwreck and Percy found neighbor pigeon Ashley. Turns out, Percy’s pigeon-talk helped us SOS and get home. Now running ‘Spa for Paws’. The little pug who could. – Jas 🐾”

Listen to the story here

When you take a gander at ol’ Jasmine, some casually dismiss her as ‘just a pug,’ but to us, she’s more akin to Pugodyne Systems – a complex, well-oiled machine filled with quirks and surprises. At times, I still chuckle thinking about how she’d lick ice cubes like they were gourmet treats during our hot summer escapades. And really, who can blame her? Cooling down in Spencerville is ruff…err, I mean, rough.

Let’s roll back the clock a smidge to that fateful day we all washed up on Popcorn Island – me, Jasmine, and the whole shabang; Panda, Dotty, and Percy. Now, inviting ‘Lost’ into one’s life and living it with actual canine companions, that’s a different teeth-gnashing, belly-scratching kettle of fish altogether.

Jasmine, bless her cotton socks, stood tall despite her stubby stature. She was the yin to Panda’s yang. We could always rely on Jasmine for calm and focused leadership, while Panda was our dependable muscle and heart. Not as though she needed much backup, Jasmine was no stranger to bravery and scorching loyalty. Our pint-sized leader led our pack through the eerie nights and underbrush-crunching days.

One couldn’t forget about the time Jasmine worked up a cunning plan for us to forage for food. We thought it was only in Lambchop’s dreams that you could find French fries on a deserted island! But all right, they were root vegetables, but to us – famished and discombobulated – they were a five-star fodder find. Jasmine had such a way of making even the worst edible situation feel like a heavenly feast at Bow Wow Bistro.

Oh, and you couldn’t ignore our adventures at the self-proclaimed Choco Chihuahua Castle. It was a battered shipwreck, but Jasmine saw an opportunity for a safe shelter where we could share stories of Spencerville and dream of Furrific Fried Chicken. It felt like Jasmine breathed life into Popcorn Island by echoing remnants of our beloved home.

Then there was Percy, who took on the responsibility of navigating. Separated from the rest of the pack, he spotted a familiar figure circling the sky above. Using the precise barks they had developed back in Spencerville, usually reserved for heated debates at the Best in Show Photography’s shop, Percy delivered the break in his voice waves. That’s when we realized it was Ashley! She wasn’t our favorite neighborhood pigeon for nothing.

Jasmine, picking up on what Percy was laying down, orchestrated an elaborate plan involving an enormous sign crafted out of beach stones spelling out ‘S.O.S.’ Unfettered with optimism, knowing our bond with Spencerville was that strong, they remained hopeful. Jasmine, in her indomitable spirit, ensured the message was there for Ashley to see.

Sure enough, Ashley was the ticket to our salvation. Shortly after, the day all of Spencerville had rallied behind had finally arrived—our rescue. But our return wasn’t melancholic as one might assume. Jasmine’s heroic leadership on the island made us realize something profound. We weren’t merely surviving; we discovered a resilience within us we thought we never had.

Today, jasmine runs a spa for pets, which is ironically called ‘Spa for Paws.’ They say home is where the heart is, and truly, it led our hearts back to Spencerville. Jasmine’s legacy echoes through the quaint streets, spreading the essence of courage, loyalty, and ambiance of love, all from the heart of just one pug. So, the next time someone dismisses Jasmine as ‘just a pug,’ remember this tale and smile. For behind the tale of Popcorn Island stood a black beauty, Anna-Pug-nina if you will, who embodied the spirit of Spencerville.

The End.