Hey Mom,

Guess what? I’m the piano-pounding, tail-wagging heartbeat of The Howling Moons. We’re serenading Spencerville with barks, meows, and toy honks. It’s been a pup-tastic journey of treats, music, and laughs. Who knew our band of furry friends would make such a howl? 😄🎶🐾

Catch you at our next gig,

Maxie

Listen to the story here

I’ll never forget the day we decided to start a band in Spencerville. I mean, why wouldn’t we? The whole town is a stage, and we’ve all got so much time on our paws. Besides, I had just discovered the only thing I love as much as chasing my tail – the sound of a good, squeaky melody.

It all began at Shih Tzu Stadium, amidst the roar of an enthusiastic pet-crowd. Jazz and I were there, putting our paws together for the latest fetch tournament. That’s when I saw it: a piano, just sitting there, looking lonely.

“Maxie? Maxie,” Jazz had to call me twice since I was already lost in thought. “What’s with the hypnotized look?”

“I’m gonna play it,” I said, with a gravitas that could only mean business.

“Play what?” Jazz meowed, bewildered, his feline whiskers twitching with confusion.

“The piano!” I trotted over without a second thought.

Now, I can’t say I was good at first. I mean, who’s ever heard of a Boston Terrier tickling the ivories? But there was something about the way the notes jumped around, a lot like me, that felt right. And when I tapped those keys with my paws, it was as if I had found my howl.

From then on, I rallied the bunch. Scooter, the Schnauzer with a bass voice; Lulu, the Beagle who could howl a melody; and, of course, Jazz, whose purrs added more razzmatazz than you could shake a squeaky toy at.

But forming a band wasn’t just a walk in the park, oh no – not even in Spencerville. First, we had to tackle The Cat’s Meow Sushi and Fetch-N-Bites to request their finest tuna and biscuits for our rehearsal treats. Then we scurried to The Tail Wagger’s Tailor so Scooter could get his glasses chained, so they wouldn’t fall off while bopping his head to the beat.

And the songs? They were a jamboree of barks, meows, and the occasional honk from my cherished Snotty Pig toy, which we decided was definitely band-worthy.

Our first performance was at Maltese Meadow. It was to be the grandest gathering since the Annual Spencerville Snooze-a-thon. The buzz was palpable; every tail was wagging, every ear was perked.

We called ourselves “The Howling Moons,” because why not? We were a bunch of animals howling at a moon we couldn’t see, playing music we loved.

“You ready, Maxie?” Jazz purred next to me, his natural coolness almost making me envious.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I barked excitedly. “Let’s do this.”

The crowd was all anticipation and whimpers as I climbed onto the makeshift stage. I placed my paws on the piano and hit the first note, a little clumsy but full of heart.

We sang and played, crooned and strummed, about our hopes, our dreams, and all that jazz. We sang about waiting for our humans, our memories with them, and the fun we’re having while we’re apart.

And you know, despite the little tiff over whether to include chew toys or catnip in the lyrics, and Lulu getting distracted mid-performance by a bouncing tennis ball, it was magical.

Every pet in Spencerville felt a little closer that day, a little more understood. And me? I discovered my second passion, bringing the tunes of our hearts to the ears of my friends.

So here’s to the adventures, the music, and the friendships that make every day in Spencerville a day to remember. For a pint-sized Boston Terrier with big dreams and an even bigger heart, that’s more than enough. It’s everything.

The End.