Hey Mum and Dad,

Long story short, Pawsburg was in trouble. Olly visited with chaos, stopped our Bark Burgers. You know how much we loved those! Your Baby Girl had to be the hero, presented him a bouncy trip with a squeaky bone, courtesy of Cookie. Don’t worry, all’s settled now. Pawsburg is back to beautiful and burgers are grilling!

Love,
Baby Girl aka Hallie Blue

Listen to the story here

As the last sliver of daylight seeped away, I, Hallie Blue, snuck out as I did every night to the paradisiacal Pawsburg. Cautious not to wake any sleeping humans, I clamped down my squeaky bone in my jaws and took off. The fetching smell of Bark Burgers wafting from two blocks away grew stronger as I sprinted across Shepherd Skyline.

“You’re late, Hallie!” Benji’s spry bark brought an immediate grin as my paws touched the sandy shore of Beagle Beach. Missy, Cookie, and Benji were waiting, their tails wagging a rhythmic welcome.

“Caught sight of Olly,” I puffed out an excuse as I dropped my squeaky bone. The scent of the Terrier Trio Burger from Fetch-N-Bites in the night air made me forget my backyard, made me forget that citric lemon that was dropped on my plate today.

As we shared our meal, a gloomy cloud formed over Pawsburg. Strange. This place was our refuge, where happiness held its ground. The others glanced at me, concern etched in each of their eyes. I realized then what was happening: the sweet serenity of Pawsburg was not just under siege, it was falling to a villain.

“No more burgers,” Cookie whimpered, her tiny eyes filled with fear. My heart ached. Silence grazed our town… until the faint meow of a cat echoed ominously.

My inner voice stretched out like that citrus-sour disdain: Olly, the villain, the snobbery cat that never took ‘no’ for an answer. For all the peace in peaceful Pawsburg, the weight of responsibility fell on me. It had always been me, the mediator, the protector.

“Stay here,” I barked, standing against the looming darkness. I had to go, to take back our town. Missy’s eyes bore into me, a glimmer of hope vexed with worry. Behind me, Beagle Beach was still, but for the soft lapping of the waves.

I sprinted towards Western Labradoodle Lake, the last echo of Olly’s taunting meow leading me there. As I closed in, my heart pounded against my ribs. I was prepared to pay any Price.

Then, I saw him, perched smugly on the rooftop of The Furry Friends Art Gallery, his wily golden eyes glinting with mischief. I swallowed my fear and charged, a barking shadow under the twinkling stars above. We danced on the roof, I lunged, but Olly was quick. Cat quick.

Then, a shrill squeak pierced the night. My squeaky bone! Cookie had flung it with all her might. It struck true, knocking Olly and me off balance. He plummeted down, landing on a soft pile of doggy blow-dry pom-poms from The Groom Room.

“Better luck next time, Olly!” I laughed, making my way back to my friends, willing to bet a chicken-biscuit treat that Olly wouldn’t dare try to take our Pawsburg again.

As we reunited, victorious, the dogs of Pawsburg roared back to life. Bark Burgers sizzled again, the waves of Beagle Beach whispered sweet tune once more. Pawsburg was saved, by a bone squeak, a tiny Pomeranian’s brave heart, and a robust Staffordshire Terrier named Hallie Blue.

The End.

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