“Hey! Guess what? Nailed it at the Ball Fetch Championship in spite of the one-eye thing! Rain tried to cramp my style, but I ace’d it. Made friends, foes & pretty sure I’m the toast of Pawsburg now! Also, no broccoli at the party. Woofing great day! -Little Man 🐾”

Listen to the story here

Well, downside of living with one-eye? Depth perception. Tricky little bugger, makes catching things a bit of a challenge. Did that stop our brave little Baxter from partaking in the notorious Pawsburg Ball Fetch Championship? You bet your whiskers, not.

It all began when we decided to hit the Lower Silver Siberian Summit for our usual escapades. Baxter, in his quintessential style, managed to bring along Lamb Chop, his loyal compadre. A group of strapping Springer Spaniels were engrossed in a dog version of baseball, the star of the town, Benny Bulldog casually throwing the ball out in perfect arcs. Baxter looked on with fascination, the steely eye flashing with determination.

“Baxter, you sure about this?” I asked when he resolutely trotted on to the field. In his silence, there was an answer: a nod and a wag. The Pawsome Pancakes we had for breakfast must’ve been working their magic.

During the first round, Baxter practically stippled himself on the pitch, chasing after the tennis ball. Lamb Chop waited on the side-lines, silently coaching his friend. Took Baxter a few tries, but soon he’d gotten the hang of it, chasing after that ball with determination that could put a greyhound to shame.

“I didn’t know your boy has such a zeal for chasing, but, err, broccoli,” said Benji the Bichon frise, as he sauntered past me, arm held around his snobbish poodle girlfriend. I decided it best to let some things slide, for the love of peace.

Meanwhile, Baxter, oblivious to the comments of the snobs, continued his quest, skills improving spectacularly. His nemesis, other than the vacuum, was the rain. A mere drizzle started and his fur stood on end. Yet, he resolutely continued, a rookie turning into a seasoned pro in front of our eyes.

As we headed back home, Baxter drenched, dirty, and undeniably delighted, I couldn’t help but be proud. “Today was something else,” Baxter chuffed between pants, nudging Lamb Chop with the glow of victory right under his nose — or rather, his fleece.

That night, the Western Fawn Pug Palace threw a party to celebrate Baxter’s resilience. They served chicken, giving a nod to Baxter’s fine taste and avoiding the broccoli. “Here’s to making history, Baxter!” we cheered, clinking our plastic cups together.

Back home, Mom couldn’t believe what her timid little Chihuahua pup had achieved. All Baxter did was flash his inimitable grin, as he leaned over to whisper, “Even in the face of rain, the game must go on for us in Pawsburg.”

Life always has a funny way of unfolding in comedy arcs, even in the world of dog sports. And for our Baxter, who navigated the day from a one-eyed underdog to a resilient champ, the spotlight never felt so warm, nor the applause so liberating. Truly, an inspiring tale of not just a day in the life, but a day that made a life. And in the heart of my Baxter, my one-eyed boy…well, let’s just say it was brighter than ever before.

The End.