Hey Mom,

Just wrapped up Thanksgiving in Spencerville—you wouldn’t believe it! I sniffed out a saboteur who almost wrecked the parade. Turned out they just wanted to fit in, so we welcomed them with open paws. I led a motley crew of dogs to save the day and restore the holiday spirit. Spencerville’s traditions are safe, and our hearts are fuller than ever. Tails are all wagging here!

Love, Kota 🐾

Listen to the story here

The morning in Spencerville dawned with the type of crisp clarity that could turn even the most ordinary of days into a prelude to merriment—or so it seemed in theory. As the sun peeked over Fawn Pug Palace, a gentle warmth bathed my shiny black coat, the heart under my tail catching the light in a way that seemed particularly poetic on such a day.

Spencerville’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade was the sort of affair that could make any respectable tail wag with anticipation. But as I made my way through the bustling streets, something felt amiss. You see, I, Kota—a robust Rottweiler with a penchant for protection and playfulness—had sniffed out a rather unpalatable aroma of distress.

It started with the tatter of torn bunting swaying over The Wagging Tail Bookstore like a flag of surrender. Whiskers and Wings, once vibrant with feathered fascinators, stood solemn and signless. And, by the pawprints of the patron saints of the canine kingdom, Furrific Fried Chicken had been burglarized, its once grand nuggets nothing but a mere memory.

Now, no creature worth their kibble would allow such contrariness without a snoutful of investigation, and so it was that I rallied the canine residents of Spencerville. A hound, a poodle, and any mutt in between, their noses keen and spirits undeterred by the mystery that lay before us. Together, we paraded—not proudly with floats and fanfare, but with the purpose of four-legged detectives on the scent of the saboteur.

Our journey unearthed breadcrumbs of clues, taking us from White Westie Woods to the proud gates of Corgi Castle. Through the tangling trails and murmuring murmurs of the wind, we caught whispers of bitterness—a figure shrouded in the shadows of exclusion, sabotaging our beloved traditions in a fit of pique.

But you see, the thing about Spencerville, and us dogs in particular, is that bitterness doesn’t live long in a land brimming with bones of understanding. So, with hearts as wide as our paws were wet from adventuring through puddles and problems alike, we extended an invitation to this mysterious marauder.

The revelation of our antagonist was less of a growl and more of a whimper—tattered ears and eyes reflecting a yearning to belong. The saboteur, it seemed, had long harbored feelings of isolation that ran deeper than any buried bone.

The true spirit of Thanksgiving, we remembered, was not about the parade but about the gathering of paws and hearts. We set about mending what had been marred by misunderstanding, the saboteur’s deft paws now purposed for patching floats rather than puncturing them.

Thus, with renewed vigor and a tapestry of inclusivity, the parade rolled out. Paws clapped, and tails wagged, not in self-congratulation, but in the joyous acknowledgment of a community united in diversity and the warmth of companionship.

Oh, the reformed rascal? Well, they marched with us, a Barking Boutique bandana knotted neatly around one repentant neck. We paraded through Spencerville, a carnival of canines and confections, turning what could have been the day’s downfall into a triumph of togetherness.

As the festivities wound down and the sun retired behind Corgi Castle, we dogs curled up, contented. Somewhere above, Dylan’s spirit smiled down, and the legacy of playfulness and protection I imprinted on those rough-and-tumble pups was passed on for yet another day.

In this near-perfect corner of the universe called Spencerville, we understand: Thanksgiving isn’t a meal or a parade, but rather the warmth of a welcomed stranger, the joy of togetherness, and the humbling gift of gratitude. So here I rest, a sentinel in slumber, keeping peace until my Dylan and I meet once again.

The End.