Circus Jack - Chapter 10. Peppy the Wonder Dog

Welcome to another enchanting episode of Circus Jack on the Clear Tales podcast, where we bring you narrated stories specially crafted for individuals with mild to moderate dementia. This episode, "Peppy the Wonder Dog," follows the incredible journey of Peppy, a dog from Pennsylvania who becomes the star of L.V. Spectavelli's circus.

Peppy captivates audiences with his remarkable tricks and charming personality, bringing smiles to both children and adults alike. As his fame grows, Peppy becomes a symbol of hope and inspiration, touching the hearts of everyone who sees him perform. Join us as we explore this heartwarming story of dedication, friendship, and the magic of the circus.

Don't forget to subscribe and share this podcast to help us reach more people within the dementia community.  Download Circus Jack from Apple Books and follow along with the narration. It will enhance the experience. Enjoy the episode!

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Music.

(00:10):
Hello, this is Richard Carlton London, and thanks for listening to Circus Jack.
This podcast is Clear Tales.
We provide narrated stories designed, written, and produced for people with
mild to moderate dementia.
If you have a loved one or friend that has age-related cognitive challenges,

(00:31):
then they may find this podcast entertaining.
And that's the point of this. it's a tool of enjoyment for people help us help
others in this unique community subscribe and share this podcast so that this
additional resource is better known in the greater community of dementia now
let's get back to circus jack chapter 10 the wonder dog.

(00:54):
Music.

(03:33):
Well, it's so great to listen to, Mozart. And you just listened to the third
movement of the piano sonata, No.
11 in A major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The sonata was published in 1784 and titled Rondo alla Turca, or Turkish March.
So a rondo is a march.

(03:54):
It's often heard on its own and regarded as one of Mozart's best-known piano
pieces. I think we all know why.
Let's just do a brief recap on the preceding chapters.
Peppy, our dog from Pennsylvania, finally reached L.V. Spectavelli's circus after a long journey.
There he begins his training to become a performing circus act.

(04:17):
The following weekend, the owner, Mr. Spectavelli, places Peppy in the main
ring to showcase some basic tricks, like riding a horse, leaping through hoops,
and others, circus tricks we have seen animals perform ourselves. selves.
His trainer and newfound companion, Sweetie Magnolia, starts pushing Peppy to
make more advanced skills, to learn more. Let's see where these lead him.

(04:41):
Chapter 10. The Wonder Dog. Have a seat, Spective Ellie said gesturing in the
drawing room of his Richmond hotel.
A fat cigar clenched in his teeth, his eyes following her as she moved from
the entry to across from his desk and settled into the chair with the creak of new leather.
As you are aware, he said, I've been watching Peppy in action for the past performances,

(05:07):
and I must say, that dog is dynamite.
His eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and enthusiasm.
I have never seen such a brilliant canine act in my life, and with such a sense of humor.
Humor thank you sir sweetie replied that
dog can steal your heart he said pulling a
handkerchief from his vest pocket and dabbing the tears that came to his eyes

(05:30):
i'm sorry about the emotion sweetie but you know my fondness for our circus
dogs and how i want this circus to bring joy to the families in our audience
they toil so hard for this country and i see it as our job to ease their burden.
That's all right, Mr. Spectivelli, Sweetie said, tears welling in her eyes.

(05:51):
I, too, am very fond of our dogs and Peppy has captured our hearts,
along with those in the audience.
Yes, he has, Spectivelli said, and I want him front and center in our performances from now on.
Imagine the crowds, the applause.
Have you seen the children and parents enjoying themselves?

(06:12):
Yes, I have, Mr. Spectivelli.
I've got grand plans for our little wonder dog, Spectivelli declared with a twinkle in his eye.
What's on your mind, Mr. Spectivelli? I am a showman by profession, sweetie.
All the gilding of my life, Spectivelli said, sweeping his extended hand over the walls of fine wood,

(06:34):
velvet curtains framing large wide windows, cabinets of leather-bound books
and gold-leaf details on all things metal, shall make nothing else of me, he said.
Yes, Mr. Spectivelli.
Sweetie, you and I go back a long way, all the way to Bridgeport,
when you were a squirt of a person and volunteered to work on the animal shelter

(06:56):
for unwanted pets I founded on my Connecticut estate.
You never lost the love of animals. She looked down into her lap and shuffled.
Her feet, her face becoming flush with the heat of modesty.
I'm going to give you a raise for such a good job with Peppy, spected Ellie said.
And I want that dog to eat the best, the best we have.

(07:19):
Good food that will keep him fit and happy. You hear me, sweetie?
Yes, sir. Styler, come here.
Spective Ellie bellowed out to the hallway beyond the door.
A slight man entered the room, holding a pad of paper and pen ready to take notes.
Yes, sir. Make sure Peppy gets fed well. You hear me, Styler? Yes, sir.

(07:44):
Good. Now get out. And we're going to feature Peppy the Wonder Dog in all the
advanced promotion posters in the next towns where we will perform.
Think of this, he said, spreading his arms and looking up, a big cloth banner
spanning the circus entrance. Sweetie nodded.

(08:05):
This is what I see, said Spective Ellie, turning around the drawing spread out
on his desk, showing a colorful fabric against a blue sky with people passing
underneath, pointing up at the banner.
Think of it, he said, combed to peppy the wonder dog across the banner,
with his friendly face looking down at the attendees.

(08:26):
Sweetie gazed at the drawing with its burst of colors and smiling faces.
Faces families entered under the cloth marquee with
a red and white striped circus tent in the center to
its left a muscular man holding heavy dumbbells and
elephant tusks long and exotic on the right in bold letters the words home to

(08:46):
peppy the wonder dog with the dog's smiling face underneath what do you think
of that spectavelli asked you have always been the shakespeare of advertising, Sweetie said.
This dog is more charismatic than I am, I tell you, Spectivelli exclaimed.
It's a proclamation for the new era, where the spotlight shifts from the grand

(09:08):
spectacle to a tiny dynamo, stealing hearts and enchanting audiences,
he said nearly out of breath.
You watch and see, he's gonna be calling the shots around here.
Spectivelli laughed, pulling his wet cigar plug from his mouth.
Just as Spectavelli predicted, it worked.
From performance to performance, town to town, the crowd erupted into applause

(09:32):
and cheers as Pepe showcased his repertoire of tricks.
He leaped through hoops with grace and agility, balanced on tightropes with
uncanny precision, and even performed a comedic skit with Bumbles the Elephant
that had everyone roaring with laughter.
With each trick, Pepe exerted an irresistible charm that seemed to transcend

(09:52):
language barriers or audience age.
People from all walks of life were captivated by his presence,
their hearts touched by his infectious zest for life.
As if Pepe had a magic touch reaching deep into their souls and leaving them forever changed.
Sweetie could hardly believe how far they had come. Her eyes welled up with

(10:14):
tears of joy and gratitude for she knew that this success was not just hers
or Spectadelli's, but also Pepe's.
Outside the circus tent, journalists jostled for interviews,
desperate to capture the essence of Pepe's magic in their words.
The news of this exceptional dog performer had spread, and Pepe had become more

(10:35):
than just a star, he had become a symbol of hope and inspiration.
Families traveled from distant corners of the county to witness his performances,
drawing strength from the joy he brought into their lives.
As Spectavelli watched Sweetie and Pepe bask in their newfound fame,
he knew that their journey had just begun.
The world had opened its arms to Pepe the Wonder Dog, and together they would

(10:59):
weave a tapestry of laughter and enchantment that would endure for generations to come.
Thanks for listening to Circus Jack. We look forward to seeing you in the next
episode, and remember that whether it's a cloudy day or a sunny day, it's always a good day.
Make it yours. See you soon.