Hey Mom and Dad,

Guess what? Your ‘Bear Cub’ just won the “Once Upon A Canine” cook-off in Spencerville with a simple yet perfect fish dish! I out-cooked every tail-wagger in town, impressing even the St. Bernard judge. Spencerville has crowned this Gentle Giant with a taste of victory. Sending bear hugs your way!

Love,
Vincent 🐾👑🐟

Listen to the story here

Once upon a time – though it feels just like yesterday – in a magical town called Spencerville, where the sun always seemed to dance delightfully across the silver-lined clouds just so, there I was, Vincent the Gentle Giant, embarking on a peculiar day that promised a twist of fate and fetched delight to my monochrome, yet speckled being.

Now, you might think that a Newfoundlander such as myself would be beyond the allure of a good frolic in the expansive realms of whimsy and wonder. But no, the joy of my time here was that every day was a canvas, and each escapade painted a new stroke of life.

Stepping out of my backyard kingdom, I sauntered with noble bearings towards the town. The whimsical air did nothing to disturb the soft adoration in my heart for these cobbled streets. As I wove through the bustling markets of Spencerville, wagging tails and perked-up ears adorned every corner, my presence welcomed with hearty barks and whiskered smiles.

Of course, being a creature of habit and dignity, I commenced my day with a dignified strut to Chow Hound Café, where I was met with a rather curious sight – the entire place was buzzing over a competition they called the “Once Upon A Canine” cook-off.

Upon hearing this, my nose quivered gleefully, and a thought recklessly wagged its tail in the back of my mind. Vincent, old boy, why not enter? After all, the closest I had ever come to culinary adventure was the curious episode with the flour and pasta art on my kitchen floor. Thinking of this, I felt a bark of laughter escape me; a dignified, rumbling sound that startled a nearby poodle into prancing pretentiously away.

As other contestants pranced and preened, their concoctions elaborate and rather frou-frou if you ask me, I decided on a dish that spoke to my roots and every bit of loyalty within me. After all, amidst my black and white motif, it was the white that always stood out – simple, unadulterated, and honest, much like my favorite fish.

With my dish prepared, a masterful arrangement of fresh, flaky fish with just a hint of Spencerville’s own secret seasonings, I stood back with an almost serene confidence. As the judges made their rounds, the murmurings and mutterings rose and fell like the tides of Labradoodle Lake.

When suddenly, as we all gathered for the judgment, a hush fell over the crowd. The drama, oh the drama! Not a tail dared to sway nor a snout dared to snuffle. I stood tall, prepared for whatever fate, or rather, taste, the day would bestow upon me. And then, the unexpected happened – I won!

The judge, a wise old St. Bernard with a rather familiar air about her, picked up my dish and declared it the embodiment of Spencerville’s spirit – simple joy, boundless heart, and the comforting warmth of reunion.

For once, this Gentle Giant, who had weathered storms and basked in sunlit days both, felt a lump form in his throat. Had Princess Victoria seen me now, she would’ve wagged her tail in sheer pride, her eyes reflecting the bonds we shared.

The cheers echoed as I made my ponderous, yet jubilant way back through scenic Spencerville, pausing only to cast skeptical glances at Silver Siberian Summit and the abrasive sands whispered about Upper Collie Canyon. But for now, all that mattered was the present, my extended kin of Spencerville, and the tantalizing anticipation of a nightly dental bone that awaited me at home.

Yes, in this fairy tale, my friends, it is not the prince nor the princess that winds up with the crown. It is I, Vincent, your monochromatic Gentle Giant, epitome of Spencerville’s own legend, who took the bone… I mean, the throne, in a story that tasted just right.

And as I drift into the gentle embrace of my favored couch, with the echoes of triumph still serenading my ears, I know that in Spencerville, happily ever after isn’t quite the finale; it’s just the beginning of another delightful, doggone day.

The End.