Hey Dad,

Made a fairytale day of rides, romps & unexpected romance at Spencerville fair with Penny the Poodle! Turns out I’m a real thrill-seeker (fear of heights conquered) and might be facing a ‘pawsible’ love tail. Who said a Labrador can’t enjoy the Ferris wheel ‘n’ find affection in the after-bark? 🎡❤️

Woofs and wags,
Test Dog

Listen to the story here

On another sun-kissed morning in Spencerville, I, the caramel-creamed Labrador Retriever with thoughtful brown eyes, embarked on a little amble along Whistlewood trails. You know, ever since finding myself here, in this charming paradise where every hydrant is to be sniffed and every squirrel is a potential friend or foe, I’ve discovered that even in the after-whiskers—erm, I mean afterlife—romance can bloom more vivaciously than the marigolds in Golden Gate Gardens.

The day buzzed with anticipation because Spencerville’s seasonal revelry was upon us. Ah, the fair! Where the frivolities fluoresced and the scent of Pupperoni Pizza mingled with the sweet musk of playful fur. As I trotted, a beloved rubber bone toy in tow, I was set on devouring a veritable feast. That is until a whiff of chaos tickled my nose—a sensation as unsettling as finding broccoli in my food bowl.

There, striding confidently from the Fetching Feline Pet Emporium was a quirky little Poodle, her fur a shade of midnight, accessorized with an electric blue collar that screamed “I am here to stir the pot.” Her name was Penelope, or Penny, as she liked, and every canine knew she saw Spencerville as a stage and herself as the leading lady.

Now, don’t misunderstand, I find disorder on par with a chew toy that doesn’t squeak—pointless and somewhat unsettling. And yet, there was something about Penny’s organized chaos, a method to her madness that intrigued me.

“The fair, Test!” She bounced with an energy I couldn’t help but admire. “They say the Ferris wheel is operating on canine power this year. I’m thinking Cleo the Corgi and her stubby legs could use the exercise, don’t you?”

My tail wagged despite myself. “Cleo isn’t one for frivolous exertion, you know? A bit like my sentiment towards vegetables.”

“Afraid of a little spin?” She teased, head tilted with a smirk that crinkled her eyes. “Come on, I dare you to join me. I want to see the fair from above, see the constellation of activities, the myriad of possibilities.”

Well, who could say no to a dare? Certainly not a Test of my caliber! So off we went, side by side, as I tried to ignore the growing warmth that wasn’t just from the Spencerville sun.

We reached the fair, our sense of camaraderie growing amidst games of Frisbee-throw and the laughter that came easy, like a good game of fetch. The Ferris wheel, a towering spectacle, beckoned.

“Scared yet?” Penny quipped, the Ferris wheel before us.

“A Labrador and a Ferris wheel—it’s unnatural,” I responded, my voice a mix of feigned dignity and real trepidation. “But for you, Penny, I’ll brave the heights.”

It was extraordinary. Above Spencerville, the world was smaller, less complicated—a patchwork quilt of treats and tales. Penny leaned into me as we ascended, and I noticed for the first time how she, much like myself, enjoyed the thrill of adventure. She was laughter to my loyalty, daring to my dependability.

We disembarked, the ground steadier than our newfound friendship. “Well, Test,” Penny teased, “I never knew you’d be one to enjoy such a ride.”

“I’m full of surprises,” I replied, hiding a grin. “But next time, let’s aim for something less aerial, shall we?”

The evening stretched on, and while the fair buzzed around us, the world seemed to quiet when Penny rested her head on my shoulder. And I thought, could a Poodle and a Labrador write a romantic comedy together? It seemed we already had.

Who knew a day in Spencerville could unfold with such… elegant chaos? But then, that was life—or the afterlife—in Spencerville, where anything was possible, even for a sturdy test subject like myself.

The End.