Old Ben Finds A New Chime
“Say, Officer Howlee,” Grandpa Paws began, his paws wrapped around a steaming cup of hot tea, “Did you hear about the new arrival today?”
Officer Howlee, who was in the middle of explaining to a fresh litter of pups about the subtle art of ‘fetch,’ his eyes sparkling with mischief, paused and pricked up his ears. “New arrival, you say, Grandpa? Who’s the lucky dog this time?”
“Old Ben, the St. Bernard,” Grandpa Paws replied, a warm smile tracing his muzzle. “The Clock Tower Sentinel himself.”
Howlee’s eyes widened, his tail stiffening in surprise. “The Clock Tower Sentinel? The one from the city square? That’s a legendary tale, that is!”
Grandpa Paws chuckled, his eyes filled with mirth. “The very same.”
The Excitement in the Shelter
The shelter was soon abuzz with the news. Old Ben, the St. Bernard who had been the clock tower’s steadfast sentinel for so many moons, had finally left his post and come to the Stray Diaries Shelter. His arrival stirred a whirlwind of excitement, curiosity, and more than a few sniffs of introduction.
Old Ben’s Adjustment Period
In the following days, Officer Howlee and Grandpa Paws worked tirelessly to help Ben adjust to his new environment. While Ben was a little nervous at first – there were no clock chimes to mark the hours, but the kind staff, comfy beds, and regular meals soon had him wagging his tail in delight.
Ben, The Bark Tower
One day, as Officer Howlee was attempting to ‘assist’ the shelter’s cook in the kitchen (read: sneak off with the treat jar), a piercing bark rang through the shelter. Rushing to the source, he found Ben, his body rigid and alert. His gaze was fixed firmly on the wall clock, and as it chimed three o’clock, he let out a resonating bark to match each chime.
Laughter echoed through the shelter as the staff realized what was happening – Ben was serving as their very own ‘Bark Tower’! Ben, with his customary dignity, simply gave a soft wag of his tail, seemingly pleased with his contribution to the shelter’s daily routine.
The Effect of Ben’s Transformation
As the weeks rolled on, Ben became a central figure in the shelter. His transformation from the Clock Tower Sentinel to the Bark Tower of Stray Diaries Shelter was a testament to the transformative power of the shelter, or as Howlee eloquently put it, “The magic of the adoption journey.”
Grandpa Paws, witnessing the mirth-filled scene, chuckled and shook his head. “The shelter never runs out of surprises, does it, Howlee?”
Officer Howlee, still chuckling and quite caught in the act with a biscuit hanging from his mouth, managed to reply, “Never a dull moment, Grandpa. Never a dull moment.”
And with that, they returned to their duties, their hearts lighter and their spirits brighter, knowing they were part of a place that made such stories possible. And the shelter’s daily chime? Well, it continued to bark the hours away.
Old Ben’s Longing
Every time the clock chimed and Old Ben barked, Howlee couldn’t help but double over with laughter. His cackling would ring through the shelter, followed by Ben’s ceremonious barks that echoed majestically in sync with the clock.
But amidst all the laughter, there were moments of tender warmth too. One afternoon, after the last of the shelter chores had been done, Grandpa Paws found Old Ben lying by the fireplace, his huge eyes lost in the dancing flames.
Introducing the Clock Chime
“He misses the clock tower,” Grandpa Paws mused, looking at Officer Howlee.
“The open streets, the hustle-bustle of the city square,” Howlee nodded, understanding the sentiment. “He’s had a life full of adventure, that one.”
Grandpa Paws, ever the softie, came up with a plan. That very evening, they rolled in a massive wall clock, one with the loudest chime they could find. The next time it chimed, Ben’s eyes widened, and his tail gave a thump of recognition.
The New Tradition
The staff, led by Officer Howlee and Grandpa Paws, had started a new tradition – every time the clock chimed, everyone in the shelter would stop their work, look up, and listen to Ben’s deep barks that rang out with the clock.
Ben’s Adoption Day
Then came the day that was both happy and poignant. A family had come to adopt, and their eyes fell on Ben. Their little boy, a toddler learning his numbers, was fascinated by the way Ben barked each time the clock chimed.
It was love at first bark.
Grandpa Paws, ever the wise one, took the family aside, his eyes serious. “Ben here,” he said, nodding towards the St. Bernard, “he’s an old soul with a heart of gold. He was a sentinel at the Clock Tower. He deserves a home that understands him and his love for timekeeping.”
The family nodded, understanding. They promised to care for Ben and respect his clock-loving quirks. As they left with Ben, their new family member, the shelter felt oddly silent.
The Legacy of Old Ben
But as the clock chimed, marking the end of another day, Howlee broke into a grin. “Well, will you look at that! Even without Ben, we’ve all paused to listen to the chime.”
“And that,” Grandpa Paws added, “is the magic of Ben – the Bark Tower Sentinel.”
Anticipation of New Arrivals
A knowing smile passed between the two, their hearts filled with the memories of Old Ben, and the anticipation of who they would welcome next into the magical world of The Stray Diaries Shelter.