“Good morning, other half of the dogged duo,
Been patrolling since the sun’s debut.
Trouble brewing at the Silver Siberian site,
Summoning your wisdom and investigative insight.
Let’s hustle, post your kibble bite,
Love, your Pawtners in crime-fighting,
Early Paw Sadie”

Listen to the story here

As I opened my eyes, the first rays of Pawsburg dawn piercing through the gaps of my curtain, I had a feeling it would be an ‘interesting’ day. This was hardly surprising. In Pawsburg, everyday was ‘interesting’, with an emphasis on the quotes and a dash of eccentricity. I am, after all, the town’s self-proclaimed pet detective working mostly pro-paw-no. In fact, the last time I received a bone as payment was quite a distant memory. I had my morning kibble and was contemplating how to lackadaisically navigate my day when there was a sharp, insistent yapping at the door.

Of course. Sadie. Daintily padding into my first-floor pet detective’s office, her glossy coat shimmering like a parade of stars at a galactic conference. The ‘Early Paw’ hadn’t earned her reputation for nothing. She was, without a doubt, by far the earliest riser this side of the Golden Gate Gardens. It was a mega-super ultra ultra paradox of small-town Dogville; one that not only lived in the town but also kind of ran the town.

Dragging her battered terrycloth tug-of-war rope, Sadie’s enthusiasm was contagious, if a bit exhausting for my morning sensibilities. However, it was impossible to ignore Sadie’s urgency. She continued to push her favourite toy towards me, coupled with a series of high-pitched yips. Something was up, clearly, at the Lower Silver Siberian Summit.

Crikey. My breakfast hadn’t even settled yet. Teaming up with Cooper and Daisy, we made our way towards the looming summit. The mission was clearly laid out. Or rather I wish it was clearly laid out with a hint of ambiguity. Sadie was an expert in the canine language of moods and gestures. However, my grasp on this subtle form of communication was about as firm as my understanding of why broccoli existed. Does anyone, in their right mind, actually like broccoli?

In the spirit of Douglas Adams, the detour to the Chow Hound Café was, of course, inevitable. If I was to make heads or tails of Sadie’s early morning adventure, I’d need all the fuel my canine belly could hold. And off we were, once again, to explore the eccentricities of Pawsburg under the dramatic shadow of the Lower Silver Siberian Summit.

Just another ‘ordinary’ day in the extraordinary town of Pawsburg – where all inhabitants, canine or otherwise, were living proof that ‘normal’ was indeed overrated. From the vibrant streets of Bulldog Bay to the sumptuous delicacies served in Chow Hound Café and the Pup ‘n’ Go Taco Joint, to the whimsical shops in town – Canine Couture Clothing, The Pampered Pooch Salon and The Wagging Tail Bookstore. One could certainly say that it was a dog’s life here in Pawsburg.

The End.