The Dream I Had During My Nap Today

I fell asleep at the store today.

Not on purpose, of course. I was supervising the front area, making sure everyone felt properly welcomed, when I closed my eyes for what I assumed would be a very brief rest.

And then I started dreaming.

In my dream, I wasn’t at the store anymore. I was in a big city filled with dogs and cats moving in every direction, all looking a little worried. Bowls were empty. Everyone seemed unsure what to do next.

A small bird landed near me and said, very calmly, “We were hoping you’d show up.”

That felt like a lot of responsibility for someone who had just been napping five seconds earlier, but I accepted it.

Apparently the whole city had a problem. No one could agree on what food was right, which treats were best, or how to make everyone happy at the same time. Pets were confused. Humans were trying their best. Nothing felt simple anymore.

So we walked together through the city, meeting animals along the way. Some were picky eaters. Some had sensitive stomachs. Some just wanted someone to listen for a minute.

It all felt strangely familiar.

Eventually we reached a huge room filled with food bowls waiting to be filled. Everyone looked at me like I was supposed to fix things.

I didn’t really know how.

So I did the only thing that made sense.

I sat down with them.

One by one, we figured things out. Not all at once. Just small solutions. A little patience. A little understanding. A lot of tail wagging.

And slowly, the city relaxed. Bowls filled. Tails lifted. The noise turned into something calmer.

Right about then I heard a voice far away saying my name.

I opened my eyes and realized I was back at the store, still lying on the floor, with people quietly smiling as they walked past.

Someone said, “He looks like he’s having a good dream.”

I think I was.

Because when I looked around, it felt a lot like that dream after everything settled down. People talking about their pets. Humans helping each other. Everyone leaving a little happier than when they walked in.

Maybe it wasn’t such a different place after all.

Anyway, I stretched, got up, and went back to greeting duty. Important work doesn’t pause for long.

If you saw me sleeping today, just know I was very busy.

— Harry