Owner’s Perspective

We all have those days when the world hurls a hundred things at you. You’re frantically juggling work, errands, groceries, and an ever-expanding laundry pile—it’s a tornado of tasks, and you tell yourself you couldn’t possibly forget anything. Until you do. For me, it was my dog Max’s favorite weekly highlight: the neighborhood kids’ soccer game.

It might sound trivial (just a bunch of kiddos kicking a ball around), but for Max, every Wednesday evening transforms into a stadium showdown—local heroes on the makeshift pitch behind our house. Max, appointed by himself as the official K-9 mascot, primes himself with an unmistakable excitement. Tail wagging uncontrollably, ears perked, waiting to cheer on little Jaden’s lightning-fast goal kicks.

This Wednesday, however, was different. I’d lost track of time—battling mounting deadlines, an overflowing inbox, and an impromptu Zoom meeting that stretched on forever. When I finally pulled myself away from the screens, I glimpsed the forlorn looking Max by the window, his eyes asking, “Did you forget about the match?” The clock confirmed it—I’d missed it.

Max gave me a look that can only be described as utter betrayal and then retreated to his bed. The giveaways—the drooping ears, the tail folded like a fallen flag, the deep sigh that sounded like a sorrowful rendition of Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata.” Oof, my heartstrings.

Max’s Musings

I had my JERSEY ON. I’d been practicing MY CHEERS. It was SOCCER WEDNESDAY. THE best day of the week. You don’t just FORGET Soccer Wednesday.

I SAT by the window, tail set to HYPER WAG. Ears alert for the telltale sounds of joyous squealing and the soft ‘thud’ of the ball. It was supposed to be THE highlight of my week. The patented dribble of little Jaden, the shouts of the crowd, the whiff of burgers on Mr. Henderson’s grill—it was SHOWTIME, and I was the STAR.

And then it started getting DARK. The noises were MISSING. MY mom was STILL staring at the bright box. HOW COULD SHE FORGET? She PROMISED.

I sank into MY bed, utterly HEARTBROKEN. Tail stopped wagging. No cheers, no showtime. JUST me, my forsaken jersey, and the taste of betrayal.

The Happy Ending

That night, when I finally crawled into bed, I was greeted by a pair of accusing eyes, accompanied by the silent treatment. Max had tucked himself into bed early, his soccer jersey sitting sadly untouched. It signified not just the match, but the broken promises.

Unable to withstand the guilt, I knew I needed to fix this. I grabbed my phone and keyed in ‘The Hungry Puppy.’ Gathering my last bits of energy, I placed an order for Max’s favorite—Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties. It was his absolute favorite—the culinary equivalent of watching Jaden score a winning goal.

When the doorbell rang the next morning, a curious Max trotted up to inspect. As I opened the package, revealing the Stella & Chewy’s freeze-dried magic, Max’s tail composed a symphony of joy. He could hardly wait, chomping down the patties with the delight of a million soccer games.

Crisis averted. Wagging tails restored. Dog no longer hates me (provided I stick to reminding myself about Soccer Wednesdays.)

Make sure your pup never misses out on their favorite treats—visit The Hungry Puppy to browse through a comprehensive range of delights that your furry friend will absolutely love. Check out Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties here. Free local delivery available, so you can surprise your pup with their favorite treats, or stop by and bring your pup—even if they’re still giving you the silent treatment.

• 🐕 On-site Dog Park — a great alternative when the local soccer match gets missed
• 🦴 Premium treats — for when you really need to say sorry in dog language
• 🏪 In-store shopping — Bring your pup for the full experience
• 💚 Lots of love — We get it. We’re dog people too.