“Hey Dad, conquering Spencerville’s social scene with best bud Muggsy and good eats at Charlie’s. Vacuum’s a buzzkill. Met a prissy stunner, Callie- golden, upscale, and fries-averse. We’re dodging pet-doors and ocean waves in love. PS: She’s not a fan of my cheesesteak aroma! Hamburger Jones Jr.”

Listen to the story here

So, you are getting this straight from me, Russell, the English Bulldog, the charisma and the charm oozing out of Spencerville. Yeah, I’m loved by all and hated by none… except for that irritating vacuum. Seriously, I could be feasting on a cheesy Cheesesteak or showing off my new bandana from Canine Couture Clothing, and that darn thing would spoil my mood in seconds.

Oh! Did I tell you about my best friend Muggsy? He’s pretty quiet, probably because he’s a stuffed look-alike of mine, but we make a solid pair when it’s time to drift to sleep.

Life in Spencerville is a riot! It’s one big party at the South Poodle Pond and it only gets crazier at Spotted Red Beagle Beach. My evenings are usually spent flirting with mischievous mutts at The Fetching Deli. Wrigley, the pizza-hogging pup, and me get to chow down on Furrific Fried Chicken while Fenway moans about missing the Red Sox games.

Charlie from “Cucina di Charlie” dishes out the fancy Italian grub. He’s got that real gourmet touch. I could wolf down his entire menu in one go, but I keep my dignity and stick to a bowl of spaghetti. That stuff is doggy-heaven!

Things were hopping along just fine until… Her. She came wheeling into town with more fashion-forward outfits than in Canine Couture Clothing. Callie, the golden retriever with the amethyst eyes, the one who thought a french fry was beneath her. Little miss prissy. The one who did laps around me and floundered in Dalmatian Desert while I watched her from a safe distance, my brindle coat bristling, as she shook the sand from her golden mane.

Love has its irrational ways, and despite this romantic comedic mash of personalities and circumstances… I found myself hopelessly in love. Suddenly, I was donning a bowtie from Canine Couture Clothing to impress her and even braved a jaunt with her in the vast ocean, pushing my fears aside. After all, the only thing worse than the ocean was the thought of losing Callie.

Between our comedic adventures, including getting stuck in a pet-door at the Canine Cafe while trying to steal some Smoky Bacon treats for her, and our romantic escapades in Spencerville, it was a perfect love story. If you ask her, she’d argue that the Cheesesteak smell on my breath was a bit overpowering, but hey! Love me, love my breath, right?