Hey Mom, just wanted to let you know I sniffed out the clues and helped everyone find the missing cat, Fred. It was quite the adventure, but I made lots of new friends along the way. Talk soon! 🐾

– Pumpkin

Well, sit yourself down, Fluff, lemme spin ya a yarn ‘bout my grand ol’ times in Pawsburg. The name’s Grumpy, though you probably know me better as Grumpers or Peanut, dependin’ on which part of the day you catch me in. But I digress, let’s cut to the chase.

Now, ya see, Pawsburg ain’t your regular run-o’-the-mill town. It’s this magic place where us dogs go when y’all humans are off countin’ sheep or headin’ to that fancy joint you call “work.” Pawsburg’s got it all—a ravishin’ forest named Weimaraner Woods where the squirrels are plentiful and the scents, oh boy, they are mighty divine.

One bright Tuesday night, when the moon was no more than a silvery sliver, I snuck off to Pawsburg. First, I trotted down to Setter Shore, my tail waggin’ like there’s no tomorrow. O’ course, the ambition wasn’t just to dip ma paws in the cool waters. No, siree! I had somethin’ grander on ma mind.

I meandered along the shore till I bumped into Cocoa, my best pal and fellow adventurer, though a mighty bit goofier. Those dimples of his could light up the night, and that Labrador smile—well, it’s as infectious as fleas in a summertime barn. “Howdy, Grump Man!” he hollered, his voice rollin’ like thunder hittin’ the hills.

We scampered off to Chihuahua’s Chimichangas, our fav eatin’ hub, and tucked into some scrumptious chicken chimichangas. Ain’t nothin’ like it, lemme tell ya. It was here that we planned our biggest shenanigan yet—a full-day romp through the entirety of Pawsburg.

First stop was Ruff and Tumble Toy Store. Ya knows, they got this lamb chop squeaky toy that could out-charm the Devil himself. I had my eyes on it for ages. We roughhoused a bit, gettin’ ourselves all spruced up with the young pups around. Cocoa even got himself tangled into a mess with this Chemex lab pup named Einstein. That pup could downright befuddle a regular dog with all ‘em tricks and snappin’ puzzles.

But it ain’t just fun and games in Pawsburg; sometimes, lessons are to be learned. Over at The Loyal Companion Photography Studio, they had this mighty fine picture taker, a greyhound named Desmond, who captured our souls through his lens. Now, us dogs ain’t ones for deep ponderin’, but that pic got me thinkin’. I considered how ma playful stubbornness, like refusin’ to do a trick when ordered, might be a tick against me in the great Doggo Ledger up yonder.

Ya see, in this town, it ain’t enough to be just playful or loyal. Na, ya gotta aim for bein’ better—ya gotta learn to be the best version of your fur-covered self. So, I did somethin’ I ain’t ever done. I stood on ma hind legs, posed with ma fuzzy ears standin’ proud and high, and gave Desmond a toothy smile. Consider it ma practice round at upliftin’ my otherwise grumpy persona.

Soon enough, we clip-clopped our way to Bulldog’s Bbq for some right fine dinin’. As the sun began to rise, lightin’ up the Estuary, me and Cocoa sat reflectin’. “Maybe,” I woofed to Cocoa, “maybe we oughta be kinder, more affectionate. Like how we snuggle up to our mommas, but with everyone.”

With a belly full of chicken and a heart full of grand intentions, I returned home before the humans figured out I was missin’. As I laid ma head, dreams of Pawsburg’s teachin’s swirlin’ like fireflies, I vowed to be loyal not just in body but in spirit too—a good pet indeed!

And so, that’s how a stubborn lil’ pup like me aimed at bein’ the best grumpy wrestler Pawsburg had ever seen. Now, if you excuse me, there’s snowbanks in the backyard callin’ my name. Til next time, pal.