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“Expectations” by Pendoggo

A mastiff decides to accompany his boyfriend for a visit to his parents. While nervous about introducing himself as his boyfriend’s older partner, he decides to go and see what happens.

Today’s story is “Expectations” by Pendoggo, who is a hobbyist writer and artist.

Read for you by Rob MacWolf — werewolf hitchhiker.

thevoice.dog | Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

If you have a story you think would be a good fit, you can check out the requirements, fill out the submission template and get in touch with us.

https://thevoice.dog/episode/expectations-by-pendoggo

Transcript
Speaker:

You’re

Speaker:

listening

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

Pride

Speaker:

Month

Speaker:

on

Speaker:

The

Speaker:

Voice

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

Dog.

Speaker:

This

Speaker:

is

Speaker:

Rob

Speaker:

MacWolf,

Speaker:

your

Speaker:

fellow

Speaker:

traveler,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

Today’s

Speaker:

story

Speaker:

is “Expectations”

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

Pendoggo, who is

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

hobbyist

Speaker:

writer

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

artist.

Homophobia

Speaker:

teaches

Speaker:

us

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

expect

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

worst

Speaker:

of

everyone:

everyone:

family,

everyone:

society,

everyone:

ourselves.

everyone:

It

everyone:

is

everyone:

Pride’s

everyone:

task

everyone:

to

everyone:

teach

everyone:

us

everyone:

better

everyone:

expectations,

everyone:

higher

everyone:

standards,

everyone:

both

everyone:

by

everyone:

making

everyone:

better

everyone:

things

everyone:

possible

everyone:

and

everyone:

by

everyone:

encouraging

everyone:

us

everyone:

to

everyone:

look

everyone:

for

everyone:

them.

everyone:

And

everyone:

like

everyone:

all

everyone:

the

everyone:

Pride

everyone:

does,

everyone:

it

everyone:

cannot

everyone:

be

everyone:

done

everyone:

alone.

Please

everyone:

enjoy,

everyone:

and

everyone:

perhaps

everyone:

remember

everyone:

to

everyone:

lift

your:




“Expectations”

your:

by

your:

Pendoggo

Rain

your:

streaked

your:

through the

your:

thick

your:

glass

your:

windows

your:

as

your:

the

your:

train

your:

sped

your:

through

your:

vast

your:

stretches

your:

of

your:

fields,

your:

whose

your:

greenery

your:

was

your:

obscured

your:

in

your:

a

your:

slight

your:

mist.

your:

Pockets

your:

of

your:

forest

your:

and

your:

small

your:

towns

your:

could

your:

be

your:

seen

your:

in

your:

the

your:

distance,

your:

streaking

your:

through

your:

the

your:

grey

your:

windows.

your:

The

your:

inside

your:

of

your:

the

your:

train

your:

provided

your:

a

your:

cozy

your:

reprieve

your:

from

your:

the

your:

grey

your:

weather,

your:

the

your:

rain

your:

muffled

your:

by

your:

the

your:

thick

your:

frame

your:

and

your:

constant

your:

chugging.

your:

A

your:

heavyset

your:

brown

your:

mastiff

your:

in a

your:

brown

your:

work

your:

jacket

your:

leaned

your:

back

your:

against

your:

the

your:

old,

your:

velvety

your:

train

your:

seat.

your:

He

your:

sipped

your:

coffee

your:

from

your:

a

your:

paper

your:

cup

your:

as

your:

he

your:

peered

your:

out

your:

the

your:

window,

your:

watching

your:

the

your:

rain

your:

streak

your:

by.

your:

The

your:

lines

your:

on

your:

his

your:

face

your:

slightly

your:

betrayed

your:

his

your:

age,

your:

his

your:

bulky

your:

frame

your:

filled

your:

with

your:

old

your:

muscles

your:

from

your:

years

your:

of

your:

exercise

your:

past,

your:

underneath

your:

a

your:

healthy

your:

layer

your:

of

your:

fat.

your:

Seated

your:

next

your:

to

your:

him,

your:

a

your:

chubby,

your:

grey,

your:

tabby

your:

cat

your:

munched

your:

on

your:

a

your:

chicken

your:

pesto

your:

sandwich

your:

thoughtfully.

your:

He

your:

sniffed,

your:

focused

your:

on

your:

the

your:

screen

your:

as

your:

he

your:

scrolled

your:

through

your:

his

your:

phone.

“Earl

your:

Bernar

your:

is

your:

so

your:

cool,”

your:

the

your:

tabby

your:

cat

your:

muttered, as

your:

he

your:

scrolled

your:

through

your:

pages

your:

of a

your:

comic he

your:

was

your:

reading. “The

your:

way

your:

he

your:

maneuvered

your:

the

your:

mages

your:

to

your:

his

your:

side

your:

was

your:

so

your:

unpredictable.

your:

It’s a shame he’s

your:

straight.

your:

Makes

your:

it

your:

more

your:

frustrating

your:

to

your:

have

your:

a

your:

crush

your:

on

your:

him.”

“He

your:

is?”

your:

The

your:

mastiff,

your:

Thomas,

your:

asked

your:

as he finally glanced to his side

your:

to

your:

see

your:

what

your:

page

your:

Arthur

your:

was

your:

on.

“He

your:

has

your:

a

your:

wife

your:

and

your:

all,”

your:

the

your:

other replied, tugging at his sweater.

“Well…” Thomas

your:

started, “just

your:

because

your:

he’s

your:

married

your:

doesn’t

your:

mean

your:

he’s

your:

straight

your:

straight,

your:

you

your:

know?”

“Hmm?”

your:

the

your:

tabby

your:

cat

your:

replied,

your:

cocking

your:

his

your:

head.

“He

your:

never

your:

said

your:

he

your:

was.”

“But

your:

he…

your:

oh!”

your:

Arthur

your:

replied,

your:

smirking. “I

your:

get

your:

it.

your:

There’s

your:

a

your:

chance

your:

then.”

“Exactly,”

your:

Thomas

your:

grinned,

your:

before

your:

sinking

your:

back

your:

into

your:

his

your:

chair.

Arthur

your:

looked

your:

at

your:

Thomas,

your:

watching

your:

the

your:

big

your:

dog

your:

let

your:

out

your:

a

your:

heavy

your:

sigh

your:

before

your:

panting

your:

softly.

your:

Putting

your:

his

your:

phone

your:

away,

your:

he

your:

placed

your:

a paw on

your:

the

your:

canine’s thigh,

your:

giving it

your:

a

your:

small

your:

rub.

“You

your:

don’t

your:

need

your:

to

your:

come

your:

if

your:

you

your:

don’t

your:

want

your:

to,”

your:

Arthur,

your:

the

your:

chubby

your:

tabby

your:

cat,

your:

said,

your:

as

your:

he

your:

leaned

your:

his

your:

head

your:

on

your:

Thomas’

your:

shoulder. “It’s

your:

nothing

your:

special.”

“But

your:

I

your:

want

your:

to!”

your:

the

your:

mastiff

your:

replied,

your:

rubbing

your:

his

your:

cup

your:

nervously. “It’s

your:

about

your:

time

your:

I

your:

met

your:

your

your:

parents.”

“Who said

your:

it

your:

needs

your:

to

your:

be

your:

now?”

your:

Arthur

your:

asked,

your:

holding

your:

Thomas’

your:

paw. “There’s

your:

always

your:

next

your:

time.”

“But…

your:

I

your:

want

your:

to

your:

make

your:

you

your:

happy,”

your:

Thomas

your:

replied,

your:

nuzzling

your:

the

your:

top

your:

of

your:

Arthur’s

your:

head.

“And

your:

you

your:

are,”

your:

the

your:

tabby

your:

cat

your:

purred

your:

cheerily. “Thanks

your:

for

your:

coming,

your:

love.

your:

Stop

your:

worrying!

your:

It’ll

your:

be

your:

fun.”

“I

your:

don’t

your:

know,”

your:

The

your:

older

your:

mastiff

your:

sighed. “I

your:

hope

your:

so.

your:

You

your:

know

your:

how

your:

it

your:

went

your:

before

your:

with

your:

me…”

“I

your:

won’t

your:

let

your:

that

your:

happen

your:

again.

your:

Trust

your:

me.

your:

They’ll

your:

like

your:

you,”

your:

Arthur

your:

replied. “And

your:

if

your:

they

your:

don’t,

your:

I

your:

still

your:

love

your:

you.

your:

And

your:

that’s

your:

what

your:

matters.

your:

Besides,

your:

I’ll

your:

be

your:

able

your:

to

your:

show you

your:

my

your:

old

your:

room

your:

and

your:

all!

your:

I

your:

think

your:

I

your:

still

your:

have

your:

a

your:

bunch

your:

of

your:

my

your:

childhood

your:

stuff

your:

in

your:

there.”

“I

your:

wonder

your:

what

your:

kid

your:

Art

your:

was

your:

like,”

your:

Thomas

your:

chided.

“A

your:

nerd.

your:

A

your:

nerd who

your:

loved

your:

manga

your:

and

your:

card

your:

games,”

your:

the

your:

tabby

your:

cat

your:

replied.

“So…

your:

you

your:

mean

your:

nothing

your:

changed?”

“Something

your:

changed.

your:

I

your:

have

your:

a

your:

bigger

your:

budget

your:

now.”

“You’re

your:

lucky

your:

I’m

your:

letting

your:

you

your:

bum

your:

in

your:

my

your:

apartment.”

“Hey,

your:

I’m

your:

still

your:

paying

your:

my

your:

share!

your:

And

your:

besides,

your:

I

your:

got

your:

us

your:

the

your:

new

your:

bed.”

Thomas

your:

chuckled,

your:

reaching

your:

his arm around

your:

his

your:

partner

your:

and

your:

pulling

your:

him

your:

close. “You’re

your:

cute,”

“You're

your:

also

your:

cute,”

your:

the

your:

cat replied,

your:

a

your:

wide grin

your:

on

your:

his

your:

muzzle.

“Thanks,

your:

Art,”

your:

Thomas

your:

replied,

your:

resting

your:

his

your:

chin

your:

on

your:

the

your:

tabby

your:

cat’s

your:

head. “I

your:

just

your:

hope

your:

your

your:

parents

your:

see

your:

the

your:

same.”

“Of

your:

course

your:

they

your:

do!”

your:

Arthur

your:

replied. “Besides,

your:

you’ve

your:

met

your:

before.”

“On

your:

a

your:

video

your:

call,

your:

which

your:

was

your:

mostly

your:

you.

your:

What

your:

if…

your:

what

your:

if

your:

they

your:

think

your:

I’m

your:

your

your:

sugar

your:

daddy?”

“What?

your:

Why

your:

would

your:

they

your:

ever

your:

think of

your:

that?

your:

I

your:

don’t

your:

even

your:

think

your:

they

your:

know

your:

what

your:

that

your:

is.”

your:

The

your:

tabby

your:

cat

your:

replied. “Don’t

your:

worry.

your:

If

your:

you

your:

are

your:

a

your:

sugar

your:

daddy,

your:

you sure

your:

are

your:

doing

your:

a

your:

bad

your:

job.”

“I’m

your:

just

your:

worried

your:

I’m

your:

not

your:

the

your:

usual

your:

person

your:

you’d

your:

bring

your:

home.

your:

Me

your:

being

your:

a

your:

guy,

your:

for

your:

one.”

“They

your:

already

your:

know

your:

I’m

your:

gay!

your:

They

your:

like

your:

you,

your:

Tom,”

your:

Arthur

your:

said

your:

assuredly. “Just

your:

make

your:

sure

your:

you

your:

don't

your:

agree

your:

to

your:

go

your:

fishing

your:

with

your:

my

your:

dad.”

A

your:

few

your:

hours

your:

later,

your:

the

your:

two

your:

walked

your:

down

your:

the

your:

small

your:

row

your:

of

your:

houses

your:

through a

your:

quiet

your:

neighborhood.

your:

The

your:

rain

your:

had

your:

stopped,

your:

leaving

your:

only

your:

the

your:

occasional

your:

light

your:

drizzles and

your:

dozens

your:

of

your:

small

your:

puddles.

your:

It

your:

was

your:

early

your:

afternoon

your:

when

your:

the

your:

two

your:

arrived

your:

at

your:

the

your:

gate of an old

your:

house.

your:

The

your:

garden

your:

was

your:

well

your:

kept,

your:

with

your:

flowers

your:

of

your:

varying

your:

colors

your:

around

your:

the

your:

gate,

your:

though

your:

many

your:

portions

your:

were

your:

left

your:

for

your:

random

your:

things

your:

to

your:

grow

your:

unchecked.

your:

Thomas

your:

looked

your:

up

your:

at

your:

the

your:

two-story

your:

home,

your:

seeing

your:

light

your:

peeking

your:

from

your:

one

your:

of

your:

the

your:

windows

your:

upstairs.

“You

your:

ready,

your:

love?”

your:

Arthur

your:

asked,

your:

squeezing

your:

Thomas’

your:

paw.

“Ready

your:

when

your:

you

your:

are,”

your:

Thomas

your:

replied

your:

with

your:

a

your:

grin.

“I’m

your:

home!”

Heavy

your:

footsteps

your:

could

your:

be

your:

heard

your:

from

your:

the

your:

other

your:

side

your:

after

your:

Arthur

your:

called

your:

out,

your:

followed

your:

by

your:

the unlatching

your:

of

your:

a

your:

few

your:

locks.

your:

The

your:

door

your:

swung

your:

open and

your:

the

your:

two

your:

were

your:

greeted

your:

by

your:

a

your:

large,

your:

fluffy

your:

bobcat.

“Arthur!!”

your:

The

your:

bobcat

your:

purred,

your:

quickly

your:

pulling

your:

the

your:

other

your:

in

your:

for a

your:

big

your:

hug.

“Dad!”

your:

Arthur

your:

said,

your:

returning

your:

the

your:

hug

your:

in

your:

full. “I

your:

missed

your:

you

your:

so

your:

much!”

“Oh

your:

your

your:

mom

your:

and

your:

I

your:

have

your:

too,”

your:

the

your:

other

your:

answered,

your:

patting his

your:

son

your:

on

your:

the

your:

back.

The

your:

two

your:

stayed

your:

in a

your:

big

your:

embrace

your:

for

your:

a

your:

while

your:

before

your:

letting

your:

go.

your:

Then

your:

the

your:

bobcat’s

your:

gaze

your:

finally

your:

moved

your:

to

your:

the

your:

mastiff

your:

behind

your:

Arthur.

“And

your:

you’re

your:

Thomas,

your:

right?”

your:

He

your:

asked,

your:

reaching

your:

a paw

your:

out. “I’m

your:

Paul.

your:

You're

your:

his

your:

ah…

your:

partner,

your:

right?

your:

Arthur’s

your:

told

your:

me

your:

all

your:

about

your:

you!”

“Great

your:

to

your:

finally

your:

meet

your:

you

your:

in

your:

person!”

your:

Thomas

your:

replied,

your:

shaking the

your:

other’s

your:

hand.

“I

your:

knew

your:

you

your:

were

your:

big,

your:

but

your:

I

your:

didn’t

your:

think

your:

you’d

your:

be

your:

this

your:

big

your:

in

your:

person!

your:

I

your:

bet

your:

you’re

your:

real

your:

good

your:

at

your:

reeling a

your:

big

your:

ca-”

“Arty!”

your:

A

your:

voice

your:

came

your:

from

your:

behind

your:

Paul,

your:

and

your:

a lithe,

your:

grey

your:

tabby

your:

cat

your:

came

your:

in,

your:

hugging

your:

Arthur

your:

tight. “You

your:

look

your:

like

your:

you’ve

your:

been

your:

eating

your:

well.”

“Mom!”

your:

Arthur

your:

said,

your:

hugging

your:

her

your:

back.

“Have

your:

you

your:

eaten

your:

lunch?

your:

Dinner

your:

still

your:

isn’t

your:

ready

your:

yet,”

your:

she

your:

replied, licking

your:

Arthur’s

your:

cheek. “But

your:

it

your:

will

your:

be

your:

soon.”

“We

your:

ate a

your:

bit

your:

after

your:

the

your:

train

your:

ride!”

your:

Arthur

your:

replied,

your:

pushing

your:

his

your:

mom

your:

away

your:

with

your:

a

your:

smile. “Mom,

your:

this

your:

is

your:

Thomas.”

“Thomas!”

your:

the

your:

tabby

your:

cat

your:

replied,

your:

giving

your:

the

your:

mastiff

your:

a

your:

wide

your:

smile. “I’m

your:

Sarah.

your:

I

your:

heard

your:

that

your:

you’ve

your:

been

your:

making

your:

Arthur

your:

really

your:

happy.”

“I

your:

hope

your:

so!”

your:

Thomas replied,

your:

looking at Arthur. “He’s

your:

a

your:

joy

your:

to

your:

be

your:

with.”

“That’s

your:

my

your:

boy!”

your:

Paul

your:

beamed,

your:

patting

your:

Arthur

your:

on

your:

the

your:

back. “As

your:

you

your:

can

your:

see,

your:

he

your:

clearly

your:

took

your:

after

your:

his

your:

mother.”

“Yet

your:

he

your:

took

your:

your

your:

personality.

your:

And

your:

your

your:

fluff.”

your:

Sarah

your:

replied,

your:

pointing to

your:

Arthur’s

your:

belly. “Have

your:

you

your:

been

your:

getting

your:

fatter?

“I

your:

don't

your:

think

your:

so,”

your:

Arthur

your:

replied,

your:

looking

your:

down

your:

at

your:

his

your:

chest. “Although,

your:

Tom

your:

makes

your:

sure

your:

we

your:

always

your:

have

your:

meals

your:

at

your:

home.”

“Thank

your:

goodness.

your:

I

your:

still

your:

remember

your:

your

your:

diet

your:

back

your:

in

your:

college.

your:

You can't

your:

do

your:

that

your:

anymore,”

your:

Arthur’s mom

your:

shuddered. “Thomas,

your:

make

your:

sure

your:

both

your:

of

your:

you

your:

eat

your:

well.”

“Hon,

your:

they

your:

haven't

your:

even

your:

left

your:

the

your:

doorway

your:

and

your:

you’re

your:

already

your:

lecturing

your:

them,”

your:

Paul

your:

chided. “While

your:

dinner’s

your:

cooking

your:

I

your:

can

your:

entertain

your:

them

your:

in

your:

the

your:

living

your:

room.

your:

Maybe

your:

Thomas

your:

is

your:

interested

your:

in

your:

seeing

your:

my

your:

fis-”

“Oh

your:

you

your:

guys

your:

got a

your:

new

your:

TV?

your:

This

your:

is

your:

huge!”

your:

Arthur

your:

called

your:

out,

your:

dragging

your:

Thomas

your:

into

your:

the

your:

living

your:

room.

“So

your:

you

your:

have

your:

the

your:

same line

your:

of

your:

work

your:

as Arty,

your:

right?”

your:

Paul

your:

asked.

your:

The

your:

TV

your:

played

your:

an

your:

action

your:

movie

your:

while

your:

the

your:

three

your:

sat

your:

on

your:

the

your:

couch,

your:

eating

your:

some

your:

mixed

your:

nuts.

your:

The

your:

living

your:

room

your:

was

your:

filled

your:

with

your:

random

your:

trinkets

your:

that

your:

had

your:

slowly

your:

piled

your:

up

your:

over

your:

the

your:

years,

your:

either

your:

from

your:

trips

your:

abroad

your:

or

your:

small

your:

events

your:

in

your:

town. A

your:

few

your:

of

your:

Arthur’s

your:

old

your:

medals

your:

and

your:

awards

your:

hung

your:

from

your:

the

your:

walls,

your:

and

your:

a

your:

small

your:

clay

your:

pot that

your:

the

your:

tabby

your:

cat

your:

made

your:

during

your:

second

your:

grade

your:

was

your:

safely

your:

stashed

your:

behind

your:

a

your:

glass

your:

drawer.

your:

Even

your:

with all the

your:

things

your:

on

your:

display,

your:

each

your:

item

your:

seemed

your:

to

your:

be

your:

deliberately

your:

placed,

your:

a

your:

small

your:

piece

your:

of

your:

memory

your:

in

your:

each

your:

one.

“Yeah,

your:

we’re

your:

both

your:

studying

your:

biotechnology,”

your:

Thomas

your:

replied

your:

as

your:

he

your:

shifted

your:

his

your:

gaze

your:

from a

your:

picture

your:

of a

your:

young

your:

Art

your:

in

your:

a

your:

superhero

your:

suit. “Though

your:

I'm

your:

a

your:

bit

your:

more

your:

focused

your:

on

your:

the

your:

academic

your:

side,

your:

while Arty

your:

is

your:

doing

your:

research.”

“I

your:

work

your:

on

your:

his

your:

research

your:

so

your:

he

your:

has

your:

more

your:

time

your:

to

your:

teach,”

your:

Art

your:

added. “And

your:

that

your:

way,

your:

I

your:

get

your:

to

your:

tag

your:

along

your:

in

your:

his

your:

papers!”

“You

your:

should

your:

tell

your:

me

your:

a

your:

bit

your:

more

your:

about

your:

some

your:

of

your:

your

your:

research!”

your:

Art’s

your:

dad

your:

replied. “Do

your:

you

your:

plan

your:

on

your:

staying

your:

at

your:

the

your:

university?”

“It's

your:

treated

your:

me

your:

well

your:

over

your:

the

your:

years.

your:

Once

your:

I

your:

get

your:

enough

your:

papers

your:

I

your:

might

your:

be

your:

able

your:

to

your:

get

your:

a

your:

higher

your:

professor

your:

position

your:

here.

your:

Just

your:

need

your:

to

your:

be

your:

consistent

your:

with

your:

the

your:

research,”

your:

Thomas

your:

replied.

“Is Arty

your:

planning

your:

to do the

your:

same?”

your:

the bobcat asked.

“I don’t

your:

know,

your:

he

your:

hasn’t

your:

tried

your:

teaching

your:

yet,”

your:

the

your:

mastiff

your:

answered.

“Maybe

your:

I

your:

will

your:

someday…”

your:

Arthur

your:

answered,

your:

crossing

your:

his

your:

arms.

“Though

your:

there

your:

are

your:

ways

your:

to

your:

move

your:

forward

your:

with

your:

research

your:

alone,”

your:

Thomas replied. “He

your:

still

your:

has

your:

time.

your:

He’s

your:

only

your:

twenty-seven.”

“That’s fair.

your:

How old are

your:

you

your:

again,

your:

Thomas?”

your:

Paul

your:

asked

your:

curiously.

“Me?

your:

Well,”

your:

Thomas

your:

answered,

your:

looking

your:

away

your:

to

your:

take

your:

some

your:

nuts. “Thirty-nine…”

your:

he

your:

muttered.

“Thirty-nine?”

your:

Paul

your:

replied,

your:

looking

your:

Thomas

your:

up

your:

and

your:

down.

your:

The

your:

mastiff

your:

felt

your:

his

your:

heart beat

your:

a

your:

bit

your:

faster

your:

as

your:

he

your:

chewed

your:

some

your:

pistachios,

your:

waiting

your:

for

your:

the

your:

bobcat

your:

to

your:

respond. “You

your:

don’t

your:

look

your:

a

your:

day

your:

past

your:

thirty!

your:

So

your:

what

your:

got

your:

you

your:

two

your:

to

your:

meet?”

“Well,

your:

I

your:

was

your:

new

your:

to

your:

the

your:

university

your:

and

your:

Tom

your:

happened

your:

to

your:

have

your:

a

your:

spare

your:

room

your:

in

your:

his

your:

apartment.

your:

That’s

your:

it,

your:

basically!”

your:

Art

your:

replied. “We

your:

enjoyed

your:

each

your:

other’s

your:

company,

your:

and

your:

I

your:

eventually

your:

found

your:

out

your:

Tom was

your:

gay.

your:

Then

your:

we

your:

got

your:

more

your:

serious.”

“How’d

your:

you

your:

know

your:

Thomas

your:

was

your:

gay?”

your:

Paul

your:

asked.

your:

The

your:

mastiff

your:

felt

your:

the

your:

bobcat’s

your:

gaze

your:

return

your:

to

your:

him

your:

again.

“I

your:

have

your:

my

your:

ways.

your:

That’s

your:

another

your:

story,”

your:

Arthur

your:

replied,

your:

giving

your:

Thomas

your:

a

your:

wink. “He’s

your:

not *that*

your:

subtle.”

your:

The

your:

mastiff

your:

felt

your:

his

your:

ears

your:

go

your:

red

your:

as

your:

he

your:

remembered.

“He’s

your:

pretty

your:

good

your:

at

your:

that,”

your:

Thomas

your:

muttered,

your:

causing

your:

the

your:

others to

your:

chuckle.

“Well

your:

if

your:

you’re

your:

thirty-nine…”

your:

the

your:

bobcat

your:

said, “You’re

your:

almost

your:

hitting

your:

the

your:

big

your:

four!

your:

That

your:

means

your:

you

your:

do

your:

need

your:

to

your:

be

your:

more

your:

careful

your:

with

your:

your

your:

health.

your:

I

your:

know

your:

that Art’s

your:

eating well then.

your:

He’s

your:

not

your:

sneaking

your:

in

your:

the

your:

occasional

your:

delivery

your:

or

your:

two,

your:

right?”

“Daaaad

your:

I

your:

don’t…”

your:

Arthur

your:

began, “...much”

“We

your:

try

your:

out

your:

the

your:

occasional new

your:

restaurant

your:

from

your:

time

your:

to

your:

time,”

your:

Thomas

your:

explained. “And

your:

I

your:

make

your:

sure

your:

we

your:

don’t

your:

eat

your:

out

your:

much.”

“Wonderful!

your:

I

your:

can

your:

share

your:

a

your:

few

your:

recipes

your:

with

your:

you,”

your:

Sarah

your:

called

your:

out

your:

from the

your:

living

your:

room

your:

door. “Let’s

your:

talk

your:

over

your:

some

your:

dinner!”

The

your:

dining

your:

room

your:

was

your:

filled

your:

with

your:

the

your:

savory

your:

smells

your:

of

your:

dinner.

your:

Roast

your:

chicken

your:

and

your:

potatoes

your:

steamed

your:

from

your:

the

your:

center

your:

of

your:

the

your:

table. A

your:

plate

your:

of

your:

stir

your:

fried

your:

vegetables

your:

lay

your:

by

your:

its side, accompanied

your:

by a bowl of

your:

cooked

your:

rice mixed

your:

with

your:

beans

your:

and

your:

some

your:

freshly

your:

cut

your:

sourdough

your:

bread.

“So

your:

how

your:

long

your:

have

your:

you

your:

two

your:

known

your:

each

your:

other?”

your:

Arthur’s

your:

mother

your:

asked,

your:

as she

your:

placed

your:

down

your:

a

your:

pitcher

your:

of

your:

iced

your:

tea.

“Around

your:

two

your:

years,”

your:

Thomas

your:

said

your:

between

your:

bites

your:

as he chowed down on a

your:

chicken

your:

leg.

“Ever

your:

since

your:

I

your:

became

your:

a

your:

researcher

your:

I’ve

your:

known

your:

Tom,”

your:

Arthur

your:

purred. “Though

your:

we

your:

only

your:

started

your:

dating

your:

after

your:

the

your:

first

your:

six

your:

months.”

“Quite

your:

a

your:

while

your:

then?”

your:

Paul

your:

asked.

“Time

your:

flies

your:

by

your:

so

your:

quickly

your:

with

your:

Tom,”

your:

Arthur

your:

said,

your:

squeezing

your:

the

your:

Mastiff’s

your:

paw.

“It

your:

always

your:

does

your:

when

your:

you’re

your:

having

your:

fun,” the bobcat sighed. It reminds me of the

your:

time

your:

Art

your:

and

your:

I

your:

went

your:

fi-”

“Yeah,

your:

and

your:

we

your:

ate

your:

some

your:

amazing

your:

pizza

your:

afterwards!

your:

I

your:

loved

your:

their

your:

mushroom

your:

one.

your:

I

your:

still

your:

remember

your:

how

your:

delicious

your:

it

your:

was.

your:

Did

your:

you

your:

know

your:

I

your:

like

your:

mushrooms?”

your:

Arthur

your:

asked

“I

your:

picked

your:

it

your:

up

your:

when

your:

you

your:

were

your:

enjoying

your:

my

your:

carbonara,”

your:

Thomas

your:

replied. “I’ve

your:

been

your:

making

your:

sure

your:

to

your:

make

your:

mushroom

your:

dishes

your:

more

your:

often

your:

after

your:

that.”

“Really?

your:

I

your:

thought

your:

it

your:

was

your:

just

your:

a

your:

coincidence!” The

your:

chubby

your:

tabby

your:

cat

your:

replied.

your:

He purred,

your:

leaning to his side to give his Mastiff a

your:

kiss

your:

on

your:

the

your:

cheek.

Thomas

your:

smiled,

your:

before

your:

glancing

your:

at

your:

the

your:

table.

your:

Paul

your:

was

your:

busy

your:

taking another

your:

piece, while

your:

Sarah

your:

just

your:

grinned.

your:

Thomas

your:

smiled

your:

back

your:

awkwardly.

“I’ll

your:

let

your:

you

your:

in on

your:

a

your:

secret.

your:

Arty loooves

your:

mushroom

your:

soup.

your:

I

your:

used

your:

to

your:

make

your:

it

your:

for

your:

him

your:

every

your:

other

your:

day

your:

in

your:

elementary.

your:

He

your:

never

your:

got

your:

sick

your:

of

your:

it,”

your:

Arthur’s

your:

mother

your:

said.

“That's

your:

so

your:

cute!”

your:

Thomas

your:

replied, looking

your:

down

your:

at Arty. “He

your:

must've

your:

been

your:

adorable

your:

back

your:

then.”

“No

your:

need

your:

to just

your:

imagine!

your:

I’m

your:

pretty

your:

sure

your:

I

your:

have

your:

a

your:

few

your:

pictures

your:

of

your:

him slurping down

your:

some soup. Lemme

your:

go

your:

see,”

your:

Sarah

your:

replied,

your:

getting

your:

up

your:

from

your:

the

your:

table.

“Mom,

your:

we’re

your:

still

your:

eating!”

your:

Arthur

your:

called

your:

back,

your:

his ears

your:

getting

your:

red. “I

your:

know

your:

which

your:

one

your:

she’s

your:

talking

your:

about,”

your:

he

your:

muttered.

“It

your:

can’t

your:

be

your:

that

your:

bad,”

your:

Thomas

your:

replied.

“I'm

your:

glad

your:

Arthur

your:

found

your:

someone he

your:

loves,”

your:

Paul

your:

said. “It's

your:

been

your:

years

your:

since

your:

our

your:

little

your:

Arty

your:

brought

your:

a

your:

boyfriend

your:

here.”

“I’m

your:

just

your:

honored

your:

he

your:

agreed

your:

to

your:

be

your:

my…

your:

boyfriend.”

your:

Thomas

your:

replied,

your:

looking

your:

back

your:

at

your:

Arthur’s

your:

dad.

your:

He

your:

took

your:

a

your:

sip

your:

of

your:

water,

your:

suppressing

your:

the

your:

urge to

your:

pant.

“Well

your:

when

your:

are

your:

you

your:

two

your:

planning

your:

on

your:

getting

your:

married?”

your:

the

your:

bobcat

your:

asked.

“What's

your:

with

your:

the

your:

sudden

your:

question?”

your:

Arthur

your:

asked,

your:

coughing

your:

as

your:

he

your:

half-choked

your:

on

your:

his

your:

rice.

your:

He

your:

took

your:

a

your:

sip

your:

of

your:

water,

your:

glancing

your:

at Thomas

your:

to

your:

see

your:

how

your:

he

your:

was

your:

doing.

your:

By

your:

the

your:

look

your:

on

your:

the

your:

mastiff’s

your:

face,

your:

and

your:

the

your:

perking

your:

of

your:

his

your:

ears,

your:

it

your:

seemed

your:

he

your:

was

your:

caught

your:

off

your:

guard

your:

as

your:

well.

“Well

your:

I

your:

was

your:

with

your:

your

your:

mother

your:

for

your:

four

your:

years

your:

before

your:

I

your:

proposed.

your:

Maybe

your:

you

your:

plan

your:

on

your:

doing

your:

it

your:

sooner,”

your:

Paul

your:

laughed. “And

your:

who

your:

proposes

your:

to

your:

whom?

your:

Or

your:

do

your:

you

your:

need

your:

to

your:

propose

your:

at

your:

the

your:

same

your:

time

your:

to

your:

make

your:

things

your:

work?”

“Dad,

your:

that's

your:

not

your:

how

your:

gay

your:

marriage

your:

works,”

your:

Arthur

your:

mock

your:

pouted.

“Hey,

your:

I

your:

know

your:

how

your:

gay

your:

marriages

your:

work.

your:

So

your:

instead

your:

of

your:

husband

your:

and

your:

wife,

your:

you

your:

guys just

your:

say

your:

top

your:

and

your:

bottom,

your:

right?”

“Dad??

your:

Where

your:

did

your:

you

your:

hear

your:

that?”

your:

The

your:

fat

your:

tabby

your:

cat

your:

asked,

your:

food

your:

now

your:

completely

your:

forgotten.

“It's

your:

like

your:

a yin-yang

your:

thing,

your:

right?

your:

Like

your:

you

your:

cover

your:

each

your:

other’s

your:

bases,”

your:

the

your:

bobcat

your:

replied

your:

matter-of-factly. “Like

your:

your

your:

mom

your:

is

your:

the

your:

top

your:

since

your:

she’s

your:

good

your:

with

your:

managing

your:

the

your:

grocery

your:

and

your:

medical

your:

budgets

your:

and

your:

I'm

your:

the

your:

bottom

your:

cause

your:

I’m

your:

good

your:

at

your:

managing

your:

the

your:

utility

your:

and

your:

maintenance

your:

budget.”

“That’s…

your:

close

your:

enough,”

your:

Thomas replied,

your:

looking

your:

at

your:

Arthur

your:

to

your:

see

your:

his

your:

reaction.

“Just…

your:

don’t

your:

use

your:

that

your:

term

your:

with

your:

others,”

your:

Arthur

your:

said,

your:

shaking

your:

his

your:

head.

“What

your:

terms?

your:

I

your:

found

your:

the

your:

pictures!”

your:

Sarah

your:

said

your:

as

your:

she

your:

walked

your:

back into

your:

the

your:

dining

your:

room.

your:

She

your:

passed

your:

them

your:

to

your:

Thomas,

your:

watching

your:

eagerly

your:

from

your:

behind

your:

as he

your:

went

your:

through

your:

the

your:

pile.

“So

your:

that’s

your:

the

your:

picture

your:

we

your:

took

your:

right

your:

after

your:

giving

your:

him

your:

his

your:

favorite

your:

soup for his

your:

birthday!”

your:

Arty’s mother

your:

said, “He

your:

had

your:

such

your:

a

your:

big

your:

grin

your:

on

your:

his

your:

face.”

“He

your:

sure

your:

does!”

your:

Thomas

your:

said,

your:

looking

your:

at

your:

the

your:

younger

your:

version

your:

of

your:

his

your:

partner,

your:

grinning

your:

ear

your:

to

your:

ear. The

your:

young

your:

cat

your:

was

your:

very

your:

fluffy,

your:

and

your:

a

your:

few

your:

patches

your:

of

your:

fur

your:

showed

your:

his

your:

bobcat

your:

lineage

your:

before

your:

it

your:

became

your:

more

your:

subtle

your:

as

your:

he

your:

grew

your:

older.

your:

The

your:

cat had a

your:

pudgy

your:

face and

your:

droopy

your:

ears,

your:

with

your:

a

your:

smile that

your:

looked

your:

as

your:

carefree

your:

as

your:

can

your:

be.

your:

In

your:

front

your:

of

your:

him

your:

was

your:

a

your:

bowl

your:

of

your:

hearty

your:

mushroom soup.

“He

your:

never

your:

got

your:

a

your:

brother

your:

or

your:

sister

your:

to

your:

play

your:

with,

your:

so

your:

we

your:

wanted

your:

to

your:

make

your:

sure

your:

he

your:

was

your:

always

your:

happy,”

your:

Paul

your:

said.

“And

your:

here’s

your:

the

your:

one

your:

where

your:

he

your:

spilled

your:

it

your:

and

your:

started

your:

licking

your:

the

your:

soup

your:

from

your:

his

your:

paw!”

your:

Sarah

your:

said.

“That

your:

one!”

your:

Arthur

your:

said,

your:

covering

your:

his

your:

face with

your:

his

your:

paws.

your:

Thomas looked at

your:

the

your:

old

your:

photo

your:

of

your:

a

your:

young

your:

Arthur.

your:

The

your:

bowl

your:

was

your:

tipped

your:

over,

your:

spilling

your:

the

your:

thick

your:

soup

your:

all

your:

over

your:

the

your:

table.

your:

Looking

your:

down

your:

at

your:

the

your:

mess

your:

was

your:

a

your:

young

your:

tabby

your:

cat.

your:

His

your:

eyes

your:

a

your:

bit

your:

puffy

your:

from

your:

tears,

your:

he had

your:

a

your:

small

your:

frown

your:

while he

your:

continued

your:

to

your:

lick

your:

the

your:

remaining

your:

soup

your:

on

your:

his

your:

soaked

your:

paw

your:

while

your:

picking

your:

up

your:

bits

your:

of

your:

mushroom

your:

with

your:

the

your:

other.

“Can

your:

I

your:

take

your:

a

your:

picture

your:

of

your:

this

your:

one?”

your:

Thomas

your:

asked.

“Absolutely

your:

not!”

The

your:

night

your:

passed

your:

by

your:

as

your:

the

your:

four

your:

chatted.

your:

Soon

your:

it

your:

became

your:

time

your:

to

your:

wind

your:

down,

your:

and

your:

the

your:

two

your:

headed

your:

up

your:

to

your:

Arthur’s

your:

old

your:

room,

your:

which

your:

was

your:

now

your:

converted

your:

into

your:

a

your:

guest room.

“I’m

your:

so

your:

glad

your:

you

your:

were

your:

able

your:

to

your:

go

your:

home,”

your:

Arthur’s mom

your:

said,

your:

giving

your:

him

your:

a

your:

kiss

your:

on

your:

the

your:

cheek. “Have

your:

a

your:

good

your:

night,

your:

you

your:

two.”

“We

your:

will.

your:

Tom,

your:

c’mon!

your:

I

your:

think

your:

some

your:

of my old

your:

stuff

your:

is

your:

still

your:

there,”

your:

Arthur

your:

said,

your:

going

your:

ahead

your:

to

your:

his

your:

room.

“Good night,

your:

Thomas,”

your:

Paul

your:

said

your:

as

your:

Sarah

your:

left

your:

for their

your:

room

your:

as

your:

well. “Just

your:

tell

your:

us

your:

if

your:

you

your:

guys

your:

need

your:

anything.

your:

We’ll

your:

still

your:

be

your:

awake

your:

for

your:

a

your:

while

your:

longer.”

“Thanks,

your:

it’s

your:

been

your:

great

your:

meeting

your:

you!”

your:

Thomas replied,

your:

giving the

your:

big

your:

bobcat a

your:

grin.

your:

There was a pause as the two paused, the silence

your:

of the night

your:

taking

your:

up

your:

the

your:

space

your:

in

your:

between.

“So…”

your:

Arthur’s

your:

father

your:

began, “see

your:

you

your:

in

your:

the

your:

morning!”

“Likewise,”

your:

Thomas

your:

said,

your:

before

your:

stopping

your:

the

your:

bobcat

your:

once

your:

more. “By

your:

the

your:

way,

your:

Arthur

your:

said

your:

you

your:

liked

your:

fishing?”

“Arthur

your:

said

your:

that?”

your:

Paul

your:

asked,

your:

a hint of

your:

surprise in

your:

his

your:

voice.

your:

Though

your:

behind

your:

him,

your:

his

your:

stubby

your:

tail

your:

did

your:

quite

your:

a

your:

flick.

“Yeah,

your:

is

your:

it

your:

a

your:

hobby

your:

of

your:

yours?”

“You

your:

could

your:

say

your:

it’s

your:

a

your:

lifetime

your:

hobby

your:

of

your:

mine,”

your:

Paul

your:

said,

your:

grinning

your:

awkwardly. “Do

your:

you

your:

fish?”

“No,

your:

I

your:

haven’t

your:

tried

your:

it

your:

yet,”

your:

Thomas

your:

replied. “But

your:

I’ve

your:

been

your:

quite

your:

interested

your:

to

your:

experience

your:

it.”

“Really?”

your:

Paul

your:

asked, a

your:

hint

your:

of

your:

excitement

your:

in

your:

his

your:

voice. “I’m

your:

sure

your:

I

your:

can

your:

arrange

your:

something

your:

for

your:

us,

your:

if

your:

you

your:

want.”

“That

your:

would

your:

be

your:

nice,”

your:

The

your:

mastiff

your:

answered. “Just

your:

tell

your:

me

your:

when.”

“Alright!”

your:

Paul

your:

said,

your:

his

your:

muzzle

your:

unable

your:

to

your:

hide the

your:

big

your:

grin

your:

that

your:

crept

your:

on

your:

it. “I’ll

your:

make

your:

sure

your:

you

your:

have

your:

a

your:

wonderful

your:

first

your:

time

your:

fishing.

your:

I’ll

your:

plan

your:

us

your:

a

your:

great

your:

trip!”

Thomas

your:

sat

your:

down

your:

on

your:

the

your:

bed,

your:

shirtless.

your:

Arthur

your:

was

your:

busy

your:

drying

your:

his

your:

fur

your:

with

your:

a

your:

hair

your:

blower

your:

after a

your:

warm

your:

bath.

“How are you

your:

feeling?”

your:

the tabby cat asked, plopping

your:

down beside the mastiff.

“Just a

your:

bit

your:

tired.

your:

It was

your:

a

your:

fun

your:

evening,”

your:

Thomas

your:

replied. “Your

your:

parents

your:

are

your:

sweet.”

“Aww,

your:

I’m

your:

glad

your:

to

your:

hear

your:

that,”

your:

Arthur

your:

purred,

your:

hugging

your:

the

your:

large

your:

mastiff.

The

your:

two

your:

stayed

your:

silent

your:

for

your:

a while,

your:

basking

your:

in

your:

each

your:

other’s

your:

warm

your:

embrace.

“It’s

your:

just…

your:

weird,

your:

I

your:

guess.”

your:

Thomas

your:

continued.

“Weird? In

your:

what

your:

way?”

your:

Arthur

your:

asked.

“I

your:

just…

your:

well…”

your:

the mastiff

your:

began,

your:

trying

your:

to

your:

find

your:

the

your:

words

your:

to

your:

say

your:

what

your:

was

your:

on

your:

his

your:

mind. “I

your:

don’t

your:

know.

your:

Shouldn’t

your:

this

your:

be

your:

a

your:

bit

your:

harder?”

your:

The

your:

mastiff

your:

paused,

your:

lying

your:

back

your:

down

your:

on

your:

the

your:

bed. “Introducing

your:

your

your:

boyfriend…

your:

your

your:

old,

your:

gay

your:

boyfriend,

your:

for

your:

that

your:

matter…

your:

I

your:

just

your:

feel

your:

like

your:

it

your:

should

your:

feel

your:

different.

your:

Or

your:

harder.

your:

But…

your:

everything

your:

went

your:

fine.

your:

It

your:

felt…

your:

normal.

your:

It

your:

was

your:

pleasant.”

“Tom…”

your:

Arthur

your:

began,

your:

lying

your:

down

your:

with

your:

him. “Maybe

your:

it

your:

simply

your:

just

your:

doesn’t

your:

need

your:

to

your:

be

your:

hard.”

“You

your:

think?”

“I

your:

believe

your:

it.”

“Yes.

your:

I

your:

guess

your:

my

your:

worries

your:

piled

your:

up

your:

for

your:

nothing.

your:

I

your:

had

your:

this

your:

notion

your:

that

your:

things

your:

shouldn’t

your:

have

your:

gone

your:

so

your:

smoothly…”

your:

Thomas

your:

continued. “You just seem

your:

so

your:

free

your:

compared

your:

to

your:

me,

your:

trapped

your:

in

your:

my

your:

own

your:

doubts.”

“I

your:

don't

your:

think

your:

you

your:

deserve

your:

to

your:

have

your:

a

your:

hard

your:

time.

your:

I

your:

know

your:

it

your:

won't

your:

always

your:

be

your:

this

your:

smooth.

your:

But

your:

dear…

your:

I'll

your:

always

your:

be

your:

there

your:

for

your:

you.

your:

And

your:

my

your:

mom

your:

and

your:

dad

your:

too.”

“Art…”

your:

Thomas

your:

began,

your:

feeling

your:

a

your:

tear

your:

come

your:

out

your:

of

your:

his

your:

eye. “Thank

your:

you.”

The

your:

two

your:

turned

your:

toward

your:

each

your:

other,

your:

their

your:

muzzles

your:

locking

your:

together

your:

as

your:

they

your:

went

your:

in

your:

for

your:

a

your:

deep

your:

kiss.

your:

Paws

your:

wrapped

your:

around

your:

each

your:

other as

your:

they

your:

pulled

your:

their

your:

warm,

your:

heavy

your:

bodies

your:

closer,

your:

savoring

your:

the

your:

touch

your:

of

your:

their

your:

fur.

your:

Breaking

your:

the

your:

kiss,

your:

they

your:

looked

your:

into

your:

each

your:

other's

your:

eyes

your:

with

your:

passion.

“I

your:

love

your:

you

your:

Thomas.”

“And

your:

I

your:

love

your:

you

your:

too,

your:

Arthur.”

The

your:

two

your:

chuckled

your:

to

your:

each

your:

other,

your:

holding

your:

together

your:

in

your:

a tight

your:

embrace

your:

once

your:

more.

“You

your:

know,

your:

you

your:

did

your:

make

your:

a

your:

mistake.”

your:

Arthur

your:

said.

“What?!” Thomas replied,

your:

his

your:

heart

your:

jumping.

“You

your:

indulged

your:

my

your:

dad’s

your:

fishing hobby.

your:

He’s

your:

gonna

your:

try

your:

to pull you

your:

in

your:

now.

your:

Reel

your:

you in,

your:

I

your:

suppose.”

“That can’t

your:

be

your:

so

your:

bad,

your:

right?

your:

He seemed

your:

really

your:

happy

your:

about

your:

it.”

“That's

your:

nice.

your:

But

your:

now

your:

we

your:

need

your:

to

your:

clear

your:

at

your:

least

your:

two

your:

days

your:

in

your:

our

your:

schedule

your:

within

your:

the

your:

next

your:

two

your:

months.”

“Already?”

“Yeah,

your:

two

your:

months

your:

might

your:

be

your:

a

your:

bit

your:

too

your:

long.

your:

And we

your:

need

your:

to

your:

go

your:

shopping. Some

your:

camping

your:

equipment…

your:

fishing

your:

hats.

your:

A tent that can fit both of us.”

“A tent??

your:

Where are

your:

we

your:

going?”

“I

your:

don't

your:

know.

your:

But

your:

it's

your:

better

your:

to

your:

be

your:

ready.”

“What

your:

did

your:

I

your:

get

your:

myself

your:

into?”

“I'm

your:

not

your:

sure

your:

yet.

your:

But

your:

it’ll

your:

be

your:

an

your:

experience,

your:

that's

your:

for

your:

sure.”



This

your:

was “Expectations”

your:

by Pendoggo, read for you

your:

by

your:

Rob MacWolf, Werewolf

your:

Hitchhiker.

your:

You

your:

can

your:

find

your:

more

your:

stories

your:

on

your:

the

your:

web

your:

at

your:

thevoice.dog,

your:

or

your:

find

your:

the

your:

show

your:

wherever

your:

you

your:

get

your:

your

your:

podcasts.

your:

Happy

your:

Pride,

your:

and

your:

Thank

your:

you

your:

for

your:

listening

your:

to

your:

The

your:

Voice

your:

of

your:

Dog.

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About the Podcast

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The Voice of Dog
Furry stories to warm the ol' cockles, read by Rob MacWolf and guests. If you have a story that would suit the show, you can get in touch with @VoiceOfDog@meow.social on Mastodon, @voiceofdog.bsky.social on Blue Sky, or @Theodwulf on Telegram.

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