“Mom, had an adventure today! Found a lost kitten while rocking my solo adventure in the Westie Woods. Gave it a ride on my back in the cold, handed it off to the Woof & Whisker center. All safe & warm! Tough day, but worth it. Keepin’ Spencerville safe. Night, love Booboos.”

Listen to the story here

Every morning, with the first stroke of dawn, the lively town of Spencerville starts to stir. Me being Maxie, the stubby-tailed Boston Terrier, I reckon I oversee the whole kerfuffle with an excited whisk of my tail and a gleam in my eyes sharper than a glistening dewdrop. As the intrepid Sheriff of this place, there ain’t never a dull moment.

One particularly sunny morning, right after polishing off a juicy chunk of roast beef from the Doggy Delight, I planned on taking a leisurely trot across the Eastern White Westie Woods. I needed a break from the usual hustle-bustle, a bit of solace under the rustling trees, away from the deafening sounds that made my heart tremble like a frightened hare.

As I loped through the woods, relishing in my independence, my sharp ears picked up the faintest whine. It was high-pitched like an abandoned pup crying for his mother, the same lonesome plaint I once knew too well. My resolve solidified in an instant; I had a new case.

I traced the whimpers to Husky Hill, a spot usually teeming with buoyant pups and hearty hounds. My eyes landing on the smallest bundle of fluff shivering under an overgrowth. ’Twas a snow-white kitten, solitary and scared. The little mite must have wandered too far from the Fetching Feline Pet Emporium. I could feel the chill radiating through my coarse, short fur, spreading an eerie quiet.

Gathering every bit of my courage, I levered the kitten onto my back. His needle-like claws pricking through my fur and his small body trembling against mine. One foot after the other, we trudged down the frosty hill, the howling winds threatening to snatch away the tiny creature. It felt like navigating the rugged terrains of a snow-storm, the cold seeping into my bones. A task I abhorred but reckoned was part of my duties.

On reaching the bustling town square, I sashayed into the Woof and Whisker Wellness Center, the kitten clinging onto me for dear life. The warm interiors felt heavenly amidst the snowstorm brewing outside. After ensuring the tiny mite was safe, I shook off the remnants of the icy cold, standing tall in front of the cozy fireplace, the snowstorm losing its battle against the warming blaze.

That night, while my heart hummed to the melody of a heroic victory, I realized there was something I detested more than the chilling snow – seeing an innocent soul in distress. Plonking my tired body on the homely rug beside Jazz, the flickering flame casting a golden glow on the sleeping town of Spencerville, I knew it was a day well-spent. I closed my eyes, ready to start all over again with the next stroke of dawn. After all, here in Spencerville, duty never rests, and I am the guardian of this nearly perfect place.

The End.