Hey Family! Just wanted to let you know that I’ve been the goodest boy, helping out with all the adventures and keeping everyone’s spirits high. Can’t wait to share my tail-wagging tales with you soon! 🐾

– Ro Ro

Call me Brody, but my friends at the Spencerville Academy for Adventurous Pups usually call me Ro Ro. It’s a name that sticks, like a bit of peanut butter on the roof of your mouth, thanks to my easy-going and steadfast demeanor. I am, in my opinion, an amiable English Bulldog with brindle fur that perfectly suits my robust character. And oh, did I mention that I’m a proud Jacksonville Jaguars fan? But that’s neither here nor there today.

Today, dear reader, marks an extraordinary chapter in the annals of Spencerville, where pets like myself congregate in joyous activities while awaiting our humans. Today is when the band gets back together — quite literally.

We were holding our first clandestine rehearsal at the hallowed Fawn Pug Palace. Our musical director, a rather expressive poodle named Allegra, had insisted we needed a grand stage for our practice, and honestly, who could argue with her?

“Alright, friends, take five!” Allegra announced, her curled tail swaying with authority. “Brody, your wiggle ball keeps interrupting your solo in ‘Paws and Claws Forever.’ Try to focus, darling.”

I nodded solemnly, hiding my nose in my paw in embarrassment. My wiggle ball — my treasured toy — had indeed rolled away during a pivotal solo, causing more than a little commotion.

“You’ve got this, Ro Ro!” encouraged my plucky bassist, Millie, an American Bully mix. “Just pretend it’s a walk in the park!”

Now, let me digress for a moment to provide a thumbnail of our glorious town. Spencerville, as I often like to describe it, is not merely a town but a perfectly splendid haven. It’s where furrific fried chicken meets melodic barks and tails wag with the unabashed exuberance of a puppy’s first day home. Here, we have places like Poodle Pond for our aquatic endeavors and restaurants like Fur Tacos for our gastronomic delights.

“We’re destined for greatness,” opined Fam, our energetic mascot and chocolate lab mix. He’d donned a tiny fireman’s helmet in honour of our origin story — after all, being in the fire department and EMS was the family business. “Imagine performing at Best in Show Photography’s annual gala!”

“Or even at the Pup-Cakes Bake-off!” exclaimed Vinny, a white Spaniard mix whose drumming was as spirited as his tales.

Our rehearsal was coming along nicely when an unexpected guest sauntered in — none other than Bruno, my biological son and a fellow brindle bulldog. Bruno was a sprightly fellow, not yet seasoned by the world but with an undeniable spark.

“Dad,” he began, his eyes brimming with mischief, “it’s almost time for the Magician’s Muttfest! Could you imagine us—”

“Performing our greatest hits?” My tail started wagging at the mere thought of it. “Let’s get back to work then!”

Reinvigorated, we drummed, barked, and howled our way through our repertoire. The melodies of our favorite activities unraveled — the gentle thrum of tug-of-war, the harmonious clash of fetch, and the rhythmic cadence of car rides with the magic window. My mind wandered to my favourite place: the beach, where waves kissed the shore in rhythmic exultation.

Hours flowed like a river under a warm sun, and at the end, we knew we had something truly special, even if it meant putting up with my occasional wiggle ball interruptions.

“Allegra,” I said after our twentieth run-through of ‘The Tail Wag Rag,’ “do you think we’ll be ready for the Muttfest?”

She pawed at her chin as if in deep contemplation, her curls bouncing with each thoughtful nod. “Under your brave leadership, Brody, I do believe we shall. But, remember, it’s never just about the band. It’s about having fun and being with family. And one day, our humans will see just how much we’ve grown.”

Her words resonated with me as we packed up for the day. The legend of Spencerville thrives because, ultimately, it’s a tale of resilience, joy, and unbreakable bonds. Whether in life or after, our stories continue, always intersecting paths until the time comes for that jubilant reunion with our beloved humans.

Ah, but enough sentimentality for now. We have a show to prepare for and a Muttfest to conquer. Onward, to melodies and biscuits!