Baxter

Once upon a time in the quaint town of Sawyersville, nestled in upstate New York, there lived a charming little dog named Baxter. With his fluffy golden coat and big, soulful eyes, Baxter was known by all as the unofficial mayor of downtown. Every day, he’d settle into his favorite spot at Bella’s Boutique, a charming little gift shop filled with handmade crafts, quirky trinkets, and the welcoming aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

The bell above the door jingled as visitors arrived, and Baxter was always the first to greet them. His little wagging tail and playful demeanor melted the hearts of everyone who entered. Bella, the shop owner, loved having him there, saying, “Baxter, you bring more joy than all my baubles combined!”

One hot summer afternoon, as the sun poured into the shop, a group of giggling children burst through the door, their eyes sparkling at the sight of Baxter. “Look! It’s Baxter!” one of them shrieked, running over to give him a pat.

“Can we take him outside?” asked another, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

“Not too far!” Bella chuckled, “He’s practically the town’s mascot. We wouldn’t want him getting lost!”

Baxter sat proudly as the children showered him with affection, their laughter brightening the day. But as the kids left, heading toward the ice cream shop down the street, the warmth of the moment faded. Bella leaned down, scratching Baxter behind his ears. “Looks like everyone’s heading out without you, buddy,” she said, her voice a mix of amusement and sympathy.

“Ruff!” Baxter replied, tilting his head, as if to say, “What’s a mayor to do?”

Just then, Mr. Thompson, the old man who owned the hardware store, strolled in. He glanced down at Baxter and chuckled. “Ah, the mighty mayor is all alone today, huh? You need some new friends, Baxter!”

“Yeah, but they’re all at the ice cream shop!” Bella replied, waving to Mr. Thompson. “He’d be the perfect mascot for that place. ‘Ice Cream with Baxter’ -- sounds good, doesn’t it?”

Suddenly, a plan formed in Bella’s mind. “Let’s go over there!” she exclaimed. “Baxter, you’re coming with me!”

Without missing a beat, Bella grabbed an old red wagon she often used for carrying her crafts. She set Baxter inside, and with a little push, they rolled down the sunny street to the ice cream shop.

As they arrived, the bell chimed again, and the children lit up the moment they saw Baxter. “Baxter! You’re here!” shouted one of the boys, running over and giving him a head rub.

Bella smiled, handing out ice cream cones to the kids. “I thought our special little mayor might want some too,” she said, carefully offering Baxter a tiny scoop on a dish.

“Ruff! Thank you, Bella!” Baxter seemed to bark in delight, licking the sweet cream with enthusiasm.

The children giggled as Baxter savored his treat, and soon all the adults gathered to watch. “What a great idea, Bella!” said Mrs. Jenkins, a frequent customer. “I never knew he liked ice cream!”

“Now he’s officially the mayor of the ice cream shop too!” Mr. Thompson added, laughing heartily.

As the afternoon wore on, Baxter welcomed everyone with his fluffy charm, basking in their laughter and kindness. When the day drew to a close, Bella and the townspeople gathered around him, each sharing stories and memories they had of their beloved furry friend.

“Baxter, you’ve made this town so much brighter,” Bella said, as she scratched his chin.

“Ruff!” he replied, wagging his tail, sensing the affection all around.

And so, in the heart of Sawyersville, Baxter wasn’t just a dog; he was a symbol of joy, connection, and community -- forever known as the mayor of the little town, bringing everyone together, one scoop of ice cream at a time.

I am a global nomad/permanent traveler, or coddiwombler, if you will, and I move from place to place about every three months. I am currently in Peru and heading to Chile in a few days and from there, who knows? I enjoy writing articles, stories, songs and poems about life, spirituality and my travels. You can find my songs linked below. Feel free to like and subscribe on any of the platforms. And if you are inspired to, tips are always appreciated, but not necessary. I just like sharing.

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