Hey Mom,

Just solved a major mystery at the office today! My Kong ball was swiped by Leo from marketing (sneaky Labrador). Spent the day retrieving it, bonding with Lucee and crew, and keeping the office in check. Survived another workday and still dreaming of our reunion.

Love,
Zaneyboy

#### The Pet Office: An Office Romance

**Episode 7: The Kong Conundrum**

The day started like any other in the bustling office of Pets & Paws Ltd. I, Zane, the debonair yet somewhat shy Brindle English Mastiff, was ready to endure another day filled with the mundane yet oddly engaging activities of an office pet. The clock chimed a cheerful tune, signaling the beginning of the workday. Lucee, my feisty yet elegant kitty sister who doubles as the IT consultant, had already assumed her spot at her workstation, a soft mound of blankets atop Cynthia’s desk.

“Good morning, Zane!” chirped Benny, the gregarious Beagle mix from accounting, as he trotted past my cubicle. His wagging tail left a small trail of scattered papers in its wake. I nodded politely as I savored the last of my peanut butter breakfast. The scent still lingered, titillating my senses, and I took a moment to relish it before getting back to the day’s tasks.

“You look deep in thought, Zane,” commented Daisy, an exuberant Dalmatian who manned—er, dogged—our outbox area. “Worried about the Kong ball filing crisis?”

I felt the flush rise beneath my brindle coat. The truth was, Daisy’s observation wasn’t far off. My Kong ball had gone missing yesterday, and its absence felt like a gaping hole in my otherwise structured life. “Just trying to stay on top of things,” I muttered. To be completely honest, part of me was also mentally preparing for another inevitable city visit for an upcoming client meeting—a terrifying ordeal.

The phone rang, a strident tone that made my ears perk and heart race. Our boss, Maxine, the Golden Retriever who had once managed a doggy daycare before joining Pets & Paws Ltd., barked from her corner office, “Meeting in the conference room in ten!”

I trudged to the conference room, hoping close quarters wouldn’t mean an unexpected vacuum appearance. As we settled in, Maxine began, “First order of business—who’s been tampering with the office supplies?” Her eyes landed on me just as I shifted uneasily—my shredded Kong ball had indeed seen solo missions in the supply closet.

Before I could respond, Daisy piped up, “I think Zane’s been handling his tasks meticulously, even if he’s had some—let’s call them—personal distractions.” Those spots on her fur had nothing on the tinge of amusement in her tone.

Lucee, master of nonchalance, glanced at me with her all-knowing eyes. “Maybe we should check the security tapes,” she suggested with a delicate twitch of her scarred nose.

The room hushed as the screen flickered to life. There, caught in grainy footage, was an image of none other than Leo, the mischievous Labrador from marketing, sneaking my Kong ball away in exchange for extra treats.

A wave of relief washed over me, though I tried to keep my reaction cool and composed. “Looks like we’ve found our culprit,” I said with a hint of restrained pride.

Maxine laughed, a hearty sound that echoed with camaraderie. “Leo will return the Kong ball, but next time, Zane, don’t hesitate to bark for help.”

After the meeting, I returned to my cubicle, the Kong ball safely retrieved and glinting invitingly beside my desk mat. Lucee, ever the guardian, had skipped our usual walk in favor of sunbathing in the breakroom, her half-tail swaying languidly.

As the day wound down, I glanced at Daisy, who was now engrossed in a playful tug-of-war with a visiting client—an overly excited Pomeranian. It struck me how life in Spencerville had gifted us this almost idyllic setting, blending professionalism and playfulness.

My mind wandered to the future, the inevitable day I’d be reunited with my mom in a place beyond Spencerville. The thought rested easily on me, a soothing reminder that, though we worked and played here, our hearts stayed connected to the humans who loved us.

I closed my eyes for a brief second, the scent of peanut butter comforting me, and envisioned a car ride with the wind in my face. For now, this world was perfect—well, nearly. Nothing could quite top the bliss of a perfect day spent working, playing with my Kong ball, and relishing yet another adventure with my office family.

Another episode wrapped, another mystery solved, and another day closer to the eventual, heartwarming reunion we all awaited.

The End.