“Hey Dad, duly survived another diadem debate here in Spencerville! Got roped into judging who’d rule the roost at Bark Burgers. An Infinity War edition Pet Debate and a manicure-sacrificing Muffin later, Pepper stands atop the puppy podium. Daily drama, the Irv way! Cheers, The Bulldog Referee”

Listen to the story here.

Another day, another diadem confrontation in Spencerville, the delightful pet kingdom where every day seems to be snagged in the game of thrones. Ah, what it means to be Irv. An English Bulldog, bound by an indomitable spirit, but no interest whatsoever in claiming the throne.

Basking under my favorite maple tree near Lily Pond, I had begun another sweet nap. The lush shade and the distant lullabies from Poodle Pond made it an ideal spot for reflection and rest, and for pronouncing judgement on endless shenanigans of my friends. What lay before me, though, was an unexpected tableau—a tense Rufus, a disgruntled Pepper, and an eerily quiet Muffin. And stamped between their shared worry lines? The dread of power struggle.

“You’ve been appointed judge again, Irv,” Muffin whimpered, as if anticipating an unpleasant response. Or maybe she just preferred her manicure appointment at The Snooty Snout Boutique.

Muffin, the beagle’s tail twitched like the hands of a politicized clock. Rufus, the wise labrador, seemed unusually edgy. And Pepper, oh my dear Pepper, that pint-sized ball of fur was nervously twitching her tail, which, courtesy of nerves, looked like a miniature fluffy pendulum in high gear.

“Why?” I groaned, my eye already twitching at the responsibility.

Rufus looked at me, those old sage eyes sharing a tale of age-old disputes,” We’ve been trying to decide who should preside over the weekly feast at Bark Burgers. Each of us thinks we should have that honor.”

So, there it was, the honor of who would order first the infamous Barky Burger – a true throne every Spencervillian pet dreamed of occupying. And I was to conduct this pet parliament, with my council, a squeaky rubber duck. As if it wasn’t hard enough dealing with Mr. Wollensky’s wind chimes!

Reluctantly, I rose from my daydreaming spot, my fawn coat rustling against the gentle Spencerville wind. As I moved towards Doggy Delight, the dining showdown spot, I anticipated another uproarious skirmish, subtly clothed in jesting banter and veiled threats. A day, like any other in Spencerville.

By evening, after an Infinity war version of a Pet Debate and several tantrums later, the triumphant Pepper bounced out of Bark Burgers – the first to order, with her victory fur fanned out gloriously. The day ended with her parade towards Pup-Tastic Pizza, my friends following her like a procession straight out of a comedic caper.

Ah, Spencerville, it might just be another day for you, but for me, it’s another tale added to my book of bizarre chronicles. Another day, another game. Thus, goes the whimsical life at Spencerville – the town of pet throne games.

The End.