“Hey Mom, had the best night ever at Bark Burgers with my canine crew before our big trip tomorrow! The town’s all abuzz and I can’t wait to traverse the stars. Don’t worry, your little Mags is born ready for space! P.S. Carrots still can’t fool me, nice try. Kisses from your star pup captain, Mags 🐾🚀”

Listen to the story here

So, there I was, standing curbside outside Bark Burgers waiting for Magnolia, if you can imagine it. My heart played rhythms like an enthusiastic drummer, matching the tantalizing smells wafting from inside. This was a special night – you know, like that anniversary or that birthday you’ve waited for and eagerly counted down. Only, for us at Pawsburg, it was the eve of the great doggy excursion.

Magnolia, made her stellar appearance just then. Strutting down the lanes of Pawsburg in her brindle majesty, that nub of a tail raised high, that glow in her warm brown eyes quite outdoing the Pawsburg street lights. She was a sight to behold! The dog-star of Pawsburg, if ever there was one!

“Evening, Magnolia,” I greeted her. “Ready for tomorrow?”

“Oh, I’ve been born ready for space!” I could’ve sworn she grinned at that, that enthusiastic twinkle in her eyes a jewel.

We settled down at Bark Burgers, the staff ever ready with Magnolia’s meal, a bowl of kibble. Funny you might think, but the sight of a carrot amidst it prompted a guffaw from me. Her reaction to it, an exaggerated huff and a theatrical turn of her Dobby-like ears, was priceless – what character! Ah, our beloved town athlete!

Should I tell you about her hilarious encounter with a frisbee on the moon-like ridges of Collie Canyon? You’re smiling, I can tell! I don’t want to give too much away, but stealing third base with a moonstone frisbee and paw-punching it instead of fetching, was quite the spectacle – only a Magnolia trademark. The memory of her robust amusement still coaxes a chuckle from me.

We spent the night meandering through Pawsburg, brushing past The Tail Waggers Tailor and greeting familiar faces. Kemper joined us somewhere around White Westie Woods, the duo’s playful banter and frolic a reminder of the unbreakable bond they share. A bond that sings of adventures in mountains and beaches, shared amusement, and sunlight kissed afternoons at the neighborhood farm.

Tomorrow was going to be much bigger. That night, Pawsburg was alight with anticipation. The sensation was palpable. As we prepared to venture beyond White Westie Woods to the unchartered constellations between Sirius and Canis Major, I saw Magnolia, pet starship captain, basking in the moonlight. Her spirit radiant and infectious, ready to embrace the universal unknown with more pizzazz than a load of shooting stardust.

“Sleep well, Magnolia,” I patted her goodnight. She looked towards the Twinkling Chihuahua Castle, the shades of her tan fur blending with the twinkling stars. Her endearing smile told me everything I needed to know about tomorrow. The cosmos had their new explorer, and oh, what a joyous adventurer she was going to be!

The End.