“Dad, another classic poker night, another secret adventure in Pawsburgh. Ran around with Scotty, snapped some epic pictures at White Westie Woods, swindled a new toy from Pug Mac at the pet store (don’t worry, I gave him a steak tip), and had my heart broken at Snooty Snout (need that leather collar, man)! See you at the next poker night. – Herm”

Listen to the story here.

I slipped out the front door as my dad bid farewell to his friends from the poker night. It was yet another tiresome soiree that kept me in hiding in corners and under tables to stay out of the way of clumsy human feet. But as the laughs grew louder, so did my opportunity to sneak into the magical town came knocking.

The moon was high, casting a sheen over Pawsburgh, lighting up such familiar and beloved nooks as the Lower Dalmatian Desert, Western Fawn Pug Palace, and White Westie Woods. I had a rendezvous at our usual spot – Yappy Yogurt, and Scotty was joining me. With one look at the stately silhouette of Scotty waiting for me patiently, I knew his day had been just as confined as mine.

“Evening, Herm. Pocket city has been quiet without you,” Scotty croaked grinning. His grin revealed theft. A quick sniff confirmed he had paid Furrific Fried Chicken a visit already. I held my peace, for I planned to use this discovery in my favor another day.

In between licks of my raspberry swirl yogurt, we ventured to Best in Show Photography. Snapping pictures of our most daring adventures was a ritual Scotty and I had devised together, a testament to our camaraderie. In this slice of our existence, we were not just dogs, but legendary explorers conquering new heights and mysterious terrains. Today’s snapshot was of us at the White Westie Woods, crowned by the shimmering moonlight.

Pawsburgh had its unique code of honor, subtle as it seems but deeply entrenched in all of us. You help yourself at every restaurant, shop, or palace, but you never forget to repay when you can. A quick scuffle with Pug Mac at Pawsitively Purrfect Pet Store and I was walking away with my ultimate ball launcher toy, a repayment for my information about a juicy steak spot at Chef Shar Poo’s residence.

Pawsburgh was just as much a city of opportunity as it was an escape. I prowled past The Snooty Snout Boutique, touching my dewlap with remorse. My dad’s poker nights had been unsuccessful, to say the least. Depriving me of a stylish leather collar seemed a small price to him, not knowing how it crippled my image in Pawsburgh.

Exiting from a side alley, I caught a glimpse of the sun waking up sluggishly in the east. My heart weighed heavy with an impending goodbye to Pawsburgh. As I leaped onto dad’s porch, I turned to see Pawsburgh, throwing me a coy smile, whispering promises of another night of mysterious adventures and hilarious escapades.

Back inside, snoozed dad on his barcalounger. His snores were rhythmic, soothing even. They hinted that it will all remain the same – tiresome poker nights, escaping to Pawsburgh, Scotty, Mac, the photos, and the gifts we left for each other.

As I climbed onto his lap, I knew I’d be restlessly dreaming of my hushed life in Pawsburgh. And so, with a heavy sigh, I fell asleep, eagerly awaiting tomorrow, another day promised with whim and adventure.

The End.