Hey Dad, it’s Teddy Bear. It’s crazy here. The humans sleep a lot, so Pawsburg is the new normal. We’re running things, finding food, having whole steak feasts! My key-chewing habit’s even become helpful. Missing Collie Canyon and the old world but we’re finding hope amid the ruins. Simply put: we’re living our doggie dream while navigating our apocalypse, one paw at a time. Woof! -Hercules

Listen to the story here

Morning light filters through the foggy windows of The Doggy Depot, a hazy gray lighting the collection of chew toys and balls spread across the floor. I’m Hercules, the sizable red and white English bulldog with his distinguishing white patch over my left eye. Most days, I’m the picture of calm and contentment, a complete juxtaposition to the world outside Pawsburg where an unseen catastrophe had recently struck.

Intelligence reports come in constantly to Black Bulldog Bay. The catastrophe had left our once vibrant human world in ruins. Now our humans sleep for much longer, barely stirring at all. This has led to longer visits in Pawsburg, an unforeseen silver lining. But the normal hustle and bustle in Pawsburg have reduced now. Fewer friends make the journey. An eerie silence has taken over the usually raucous Pawsburg.

Apart from making the journey to the human world to check on our sleeping humans, we, dogs of Pawsburg, are rebuilding Pawsburg. Margaux, Beatzie, Boss, Coco, Tank, Lulu, Baker, and I have become leaders of the pack, ensuring no dog is left behind. One of our first initiatives was sourcing food – Furrific Fried Chicken and Pupsicles Palace once reliant on supply from the humans were in peril.

With my aversion for vegetables, you can imagine my joy when our scavenging team discovered a stash of well-cooked steaks – a veritable feast. Though, I never thought I’d see the day where my peculiar taste for keys would come in handy. They became tools, opening locked doors revealing hidden caches of bully sticks and even, the occasional tilapia.

I beckon my crew at the Pawfect Training Center, ad hoc meetings have become our norm. Adventure has taken a backseat to survival. Though we miss the adventures in Collie Canyon and Northern Choco Chihuahua Castle, we rally.

Our day concludes at The Bark Shak – our hub for sharing stories of the day’s hardship and small victories, our sanctuary against the silent apocalypse that had befallen. As I lay down to rest, my dreams transport me to different places – a quiet city park, an expansive backyard, or the desert’s vast openness.

But this is Pawsburg post-catastrophe, with a canine camaraderie that promises resilience. We are strays no longer. We find hope in the heart of despair, companionship in the face of heartrending solitude, and a new purpose amidst the ruins. Till our world resets, these are our tales from a shattered world, tales of the dogs of Pawsburg.

The End.

Share This Story: