Hey there, it’s Shandee, your favorite Fawn Bully! Remember me as the chase-my-own-tail, scare-off-Gregory-Pinks doggo? Well, an adventure in Canine Couture Clothing happened. A beret caught my eye and, crazily enough, I put it on and absolutely loved it. Guess this tail-chasing, chicken-stew-maniac is adding a dash of style to the mix. Here’s to strutting into new territories and owning it. Barks and Berets, Shandee!

Listen to the story here

Okay, I swear, the weirdest thing happened yesterday. You know how I am — just your average fawn bully kicking it in Pawsburg, engaging in standard dog activities like chasing my tail and dramatically objecting to Gregory Pinks, that obnoxious neighborhood cat. But ordinary-certified, Shandee-stamped life took a twist when a new shop popped up in the market.

Canine Couture Clothing, they were calling it. I mean, seriously? I’m a dog, not a fashion doll. And besides, I’ve always let my sunrise-like coat do the dressing up for me. But Mia, being the Maltese diva that she is, insisted we check it out.

“What if they have something in rubber ducky yellow?” she suggested, leveraging my undying love for a certain toy.

So picture this, the four of us bulldoze into this shop, almost taking down a rack of rhinestone collars. But I froze, my dark chocolate eyes fixing on a quaint little beret resting on a perfectly groomed Poodle mannequin. It wasn’t rubber ducky yellow, sure, but there was something… intriguing about it.

Now, I love a good ole’ plate of Teresa’s chicken stew as much as the next pooch, but I hate change as passionately as I hate broccoli. And trying on that beret was as uncomfortable a dive into uncharted territory as when Teresa tried to serve me cabbage once. Shudders.

But Mia nudged me in the butt, Buster gave his tough-guy nod, and even Sparky wagged his tail encouragingly. It’s a rarity if I tell you; Sparky usually couldn’t care less about anything beyond fetch games. So what could Shandee, the Fawn Bully, avowed hat-hater do besides oblige?

I ambled towards the beret, planted it atop my head, and turned to face my friends, their excited anticipation bouncing off the colorfully vibrant art pieces of The Furry Friends Art Gallery next door. The once criticism-infused silence of Pawsburg now echoed surprised gasps, as jaws dropped, eyes popped, and even Gregory Pinks’ snide remarks hushed.

I finally looked in the mirror, and the reflection staring back was not just the fun-loving sunset-furred dog with an adventurous spirit. No, I saw a picture of elegance, grace, a courage-clad diva donning a charming laughter and a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. It was like tasting Teresa’s home-cooked chicken stew for the first time; surprisingly delightful, fulfilling, and something I craved more of.

Let’s say a fancy beret may not significantly change a pup’s life. But as I strutted down Harrier Harbor later that day, my tail a sway of triumph, my friends wagging their approval – and yes, Gregory Pinks, ignoring me entirely out of spite- I realized that perhaps, just maybe, even rough-and-ready, chicken-stew-loving Fawn Bullies like me could enjoy a shake-up once in a while, broccoli be damned. And dear heavenly doggy treats, did I love it.

So here’s my tail-wagging testimony, to not just living within my cozy Pawsburg box, but truly seeing what lies beyond it, beret or no beret. After all, as I’ve come to learn, growing up isn’t just about chasing squirrels, barking at shadows, or swearing off questionable veggies. It’s about putting on the new berets of life, and owning them like a boss, one day at a time.

Oh, and speaking of that hat – yeah, I bought it. I think it looks fabulous. It’s going to be my new thing. Simple, dog-adventurous Shandee is now beret-cool Shandee. Welcome to my next chapter, Pawsburg.

The End.

Share This Story: