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That's Not Optimism. That's the Job. (Sgt. Puppy's Field Notes, September 30)

Erin Wood
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Today's field note from Sgt. Puppy and the morning watch at Camp Puppy Haven, Vermont.

Typewriter-style note on cream paper, dated 09/30/26. Three paragraphs of monospace text reading: "The sign on the honor stand was taped over the price list. Hand-lettered. That's it for the corn. Thank you. June. The cash box was still out. Four dollars in it, unlocked. This is Camp Puppy Haven, Vermont. It was Wednesday, September 30th. It was cold at dawn in Camp Puppy Haven, frost in the low field, burning off by nine. We were working the day watch out of Last Corn Detail. My partner's The Goose. The boss is Lieutenant Soot. My name's Puppy. The Goose checked the stand anyway. Nothing there. He'll check it tomorrow too. That's not optimism. That's the job." Signed THiNK LiKE A DOG.

The sign on the honor stand was taped over the price list. Hand-lettered. That's it for the corn. Thank you. June. The cash box was still out. Four dollars in it, unlocked. This is Camp Puppy Haven, Vermont.

It was Wednesday, September 30th. It was cold at dawn in Camp Puppy Haven, frost in the low field, burning off by nine. We were working the day watch out of Last Corn Detail. My partner's The Goose. The boss is Lieutenant Soot. My name's Puppy.

The Goose checked the stand anyway. Nothing there. He'll check it tomorrow too. That's not optimism. That's the job.


Sgt. Puppy's Field Notes are published most weekday mornings.

Read the full series at Camp Puppy Haven.

Standard issue at Camp Puppy Haven: tees, sweatshirts, and hoodies for the humans on morning watch.

Camp Puppy Haven Badge Tee

$24.99

Welcome to Camp Puppy Haven™. This garment-dyed heavyweight tee brings the feeling of old camp stores, worn-in favorites, and dog-wise living into one everyday shirt. Featuring our retro Camp Puppy Haven badge printed on the left chest, it’s made for… read more

Camp Puppy Haven Badge Tee


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