“Hey there! It’s Sadie, Pawsburg’s tiniest sleuth with the biggest sniff. Today was one for the books – saved Reggie’s bacon again, found his beloved rubber chicken at The Fetching Feline. I continue sniffing out mysteries, one pupper at a time while indulging in chewy bones & strawberry dreams. Pleasant woofs and strawberry dreams. – Sadie ‘Sniffer’ 🍓🦴🔍🐶”

Listen to the story here

In the twinkling dog-eared town of Pawsburg, where a dog’s day starts with sunrise and ends with endless belly rubs, I discovered a conundrum amidst the sun-kissed sand at Saluki Sands. Reggie and Miss Puggington were caught in the middle of it. Just as I was settling down for my daily bone crunching relaxation, my Rottweiler mate seemed to have misplaced his favorite chew toy. Reggie was anxious, pacing up and down Akita Alley, his big paws causing minor sandstorms in the midday sun.

As we all know, a detective’s work is never finished, only paused. So, depositing my cherished squeaky bone under our sturdy oak tree (right next to that patch that smells of bulldog- Miss Puggington says it’s Mr. Bulldozer’s spot), I trotted towards a perplexed Reggie.

Returning to Saluki Sands was no chore; the sun had washed it with a soft, strawberry-like warmth. I did enjoy a good mystery, even if it interrupted my strawberry dreams. Reggie was at his wit’s end when I arrived, sand clinging to his moist nose. The chew toy in question, he explained, was a caramel-colored rubber chicken, a prize he’d won at Barker’s Bakery eating competition.

My sniffer is second to none, and it guided me to the wild scent-track of the missing toy. As savory as roasted chicken but tinged with the distinctive smell of rubber – rather similar to those detestable Brussels sprouts. The scent-track led to Basenji Bay which, as the tide had rolled in, proving a challenge for exploration.

“Reggie, did you perhaps decide to take your chew toy swimming?” I asked, realizing that he did like an occasional romp in the bay.

“I, um, might have,” Reggie replied, his tail sinking between his legs. “But how’d you know that, Sadie?”

But I merely winked and put my paws to work. The smell of rubber-chicken toy grew stronger near The Fetching Feline Pet Emporium – an odd spot for Reggie’s toy to wind up. So, with my heart beating beneath my furry chest, I ventured forth towards the Emporium’s glittering windows.

After a few turns around the shelves, I found it. Perched snugly between a tower of catnip mice and a row of plush fish, was Reggie’s caramel chicken chewy. It wasn’t just a rubber chicken – it was part of Reggie. Smiling, I picked up the key to this tangled riddle.

Reggie’s face split into a grin when I presented his beloved chew toy. I returned the toy to its rightful, slobbery owner and decided it was time to head back to my idyllic oak tree. While today’s adventure was rewarding, nothing could substitute for the pleasure of a good, chewy bone, especially one that had been waiting under that oak tree.

“Sadie, you’re the best!” Reggie whooped, shaking the sands off, his rubber chicken secure between his teeth.

So, there it was, another day in the life of Sadie – a petite detective with a nose for trouble and an undying love for strawberries. As I settled in again, crunching on my squeaky bone, Pawsburg faded into its usual hues of serenity. Now, off to dream of juicy, red strawberries! And remember, no Brussels sprouts, please. As the night enveloped Pawsburg, I couldn’t help but think – who knew being a detective could be so much fun under the sun.

The End.