“Hey Dad, it’s Teddy Bear. Funny day in Pawsburg. Boss went missing and we found him at the shelter. Some mistake about a chew toy and pug-bling, don’t ask! Managed a daring escape, even braved the rain, yuck! We’re back at Doggy Delight now. All’s well, steak’s tasty. Love, Teddy Bear.”

So there I was, butt-deep in Pawsburgh when I noticed an unfamiliar scent in the air. “Hercules, wake up!” Margaux’s soft, urgent voice roused me from my steak-dream. My eyes barely open, I noticed fellow crew members – Beatzie, Boss, Coco, and Tank – gathered round in a tense huddle. Sensing a break in the monotony, I approached, and with a wagging tail inquired, “Did someone open a can of tilapia then?”

“No Hercules, somethin’ ain’t right. We can’t find Boss,” Beatzie’s voice cracked. Now ain’t that a fine how do you do? The most gruff, tough brute among us lost? Boss would hate the idea of being the damsel in distress. I had to uncover the mystery and I knew just the place to start.

We set out for Fawn Pug Palace, a usual hangout spot for Boss. Imagine a bar, but with treats and belly-rubs instead of whirlpool and tequila shots, and you’ve pretty much got Fawn Pug. I was getting waist-high into a case that usually accompanies belly rubs suddenly turned sour.

We learned from Coco’s Chihuahua contacts at the Northern Choco Castle, Boss may have gotten himself in detention at the Pawsburg Animal Shelter, accused of chewing Canine Couture’s most expensive pug-bling. Now I’ve seen Boss get into a couple of tussles but high-end fashion victim was a new one.

“Well, this bites!” I muttered, as we decided an undercover recon mission was needed, to find out what really went down. I was the chosen one due to my experience handling the city-folk when they tried to sneak vegetables into our gourmet meals.

The journey felt like trudging through a mountain hike or a forest trail, my stout, robust physique suited neither. The tension was palpable, like a vet visit with ear cleaning on the agenda.

We stepped into the dog shelter, located near the infamous Barkery. Ironically, their biggest seller was a treat named “Jailhouse Rock.” “Alright gang, enough sniffing around. We gotta find Boss before they realize we aren’t here for the grooming session,” I reminded my crew. The dilemma was finding Boss without getting too distracted. That’s when I spotted him.

As we reached Boss, I could see the fear in his eyes. His usually gruff exterior was replaced with a look that screamed, “get me outta this joint”. So, we devised a plan, with Tank distracting the staff, while Coco sneakily gnawed the lock. The breakout required precision, a real spectacle, downright Brooks-Mel-ish.

The escape went smoothly until, of course, it was my turn to run. “Herc, move your robust assets, its’s raining outside!” The news hit me like a stray frisbee. Rain? The only thing I detest more than veggies – definitely not a fan of the damp look.

But seeing Boss’s downcast face made up my mind. I lifted my heavy bulldog body and ran like an uncaged animal. Once out, we headed straight to Doggy Delight, our unofficial HQ, reuniting Boss with his steak – a grand reunion of friends and food.

“It was chew toy, Herc! They mistook it for pug-bling”, Boss managed between mouthfuls. Ah! The good old Boss was back, without further drama or sitcom, we enjoyed our feast.

There’s always something happening in Pawsburg, but this had been an unusual day even for us. And aren’t they just the best ones? As I tucked into my chicken, under the sheltering Pawsburgh night, life rolled on with a wag and a frolic!

The End.