Wiggins was an extremely respectable dog.

When he walked he did not stoop, nor did his gums drip or his tongue roll out the side of his mouth, (as many a dog in London that Wiggins had seen on his afternoon walks). Not Wiggins, no. He lifted his head high, kept his tongue well inside his mouth and every step he took was not merely a step, but rather a gallant prance.

Wiggins thought of himself as respectable, well preened and for a dog, impressively handsome. His deportment astounded anyone who laid their eyes on him, as he appeared so egotistically elegant and defined. He took extra care to always look his most staggeringly majestic.

The weather outside was gloomy and miserable, with the ever-lingering sense of yet another shower approaching. Wiggins' beloved Maria sat daintily on a stool, warming her elegant hands by a small blazing fire. Maria, though Wiggins didn't know it, was far less likely to describe him as a 'respectable' or 'majestic' dog. In fact, she often described him as being quite ridiculously conceited, with an exaggerated sense of self-importance.

Maria sighed. "Oh, Wiggins!"

Wiggins, surprised, raised his head to look at her.

Maria had swivelled around on her seat and rested her thin freckled face in her hands with a wistful expression of total and absolute boredom.

"I'm not sure if I can last another day like this!" she moaned, "It's been drizzling for over a week now! I miss going out on having adventures with Robin! There is nothing to do inside, I'm so terribly bored!"

Wiggins, though he couldn't understand the exact details of human speech, understood Maria was bored just by the tone of her voice. That was when he decided to do something to brighten up her dull week.

After all, Wiggins was an extremely respectable dog.

* * *

Later on, with his head held high, Wiggins trotted down the stairs and out into the garden. The sky was cloudy and grey and small drops of rain had already begun to settle on his beautiful coat. In disgust Wiggins shook himself and marched underneath a tall tree. No rain would ever spoil his stunning fur.

A beautiful bush of white geraniums was a few yards away. Wiggins' tail wagged in excitement. How perfect! Flowers would surely brighten Maria's mood!

He leaped over to the flowers but remembering his dignity and his posture, regained a majestic pose in mid-jump. Unfortunately for him, this caused him to land in such an awkward position that he slipped and tumbled, sliding and rolling in the wet leaves, that coated the ground!

How revolting! Wiggins stood up, muddy leaves sticking to him all over, he barked in frustration. He could never present flowers to Maria in a state like this! He shook himself off, plucked a geranium from the bush with his teeth and marched back towards the mansion. He tried to keep looking as dignified as was possible, even though his coat was mud-stained and shaggy. The rain had soaked him before he reached the door.

As Wiggins paraded down the hall, he noticed Wrolf glancing at him, amusement flickering in his eyes. Wiggins huffed and held his head even higher than before, avoiding any eye contact with the beastly Lion. Unfortunately, Wiggins was so focused on looking his uttermost superior that he tripped over the carpet and landed flat on his stomach!

Wrolf laughed with a smug growl, turned and walked away with relish.

Wiggins, feeling extremely embarrassed, whined with self-pity as he up righted himself. He growled angrily, who was Wrolf to laugh at such a dignified dog as Wiggins?

He marched up the stairs and through to Maria's bedroom. Maybe, Wiggins thought hopefully, maybe, alongside giving him a sugar biscuit as a thank-you she might also give him a well-needed wash!

But Maria wasn't there.

Wiggins felt powerfully disappointed. Where had she gone? He raced into Miss Heliotrope's room, where Miss Heliotrope scolded him for dripping on the carpet and shooed him out. No sign of Maria there. Frantically he ran looking through every room he stumbled across. He searched for hours, but without finding Maria anywhere!

Confused and distressed, he dropped the geranium and sulked along a corridor. Sir Benjamin was striding towards him, a grin on his face.

"Wiggins! But how dirty you are! Had a nice mud bath, eh?" Sir Benjamin laughed. "We're about to have, erm, lunch and I was just coming to find you!"

However, Wiggins didn't hear him. His skilful nose had just picked up the stench of a delicious meal billowing from the Dining hall. He recognized Robin whistling for him. Robin!

His dragging steps became a sprint as he raced to the sound. He skidded through the half-open doors, when -

"Surprise!"

Wiggins looked around him, quite bewildered. Everyone stared back, extremely astonished, to see Wiggins in such a state! As well as Robin, were Old Parson, Minette Loveday, Miss Heliotrope, Marmaduke Scarlet, Wrolf, Serena and - Maria seated around the table!

"Happy Birthday, Wiggins! Are you Wiggins? No, Wiggins would never be seen looking so bedraggled!" Maria laughed loudly and everyone else joined in. Said Miss Heliotrope loudly, "I told you he looked a ramshackle but you all laughed and said it was my old eyes deceiving me!"

After a delicious meal of lamb sausages, crispy roast potatoes, followed by a rich chocolate cake for dessert and a large bone for Wiggins, they all sang "Happy Birthday", accompanied by Old Parson on his violin.

"We were so bored and then we remembered it was your birthday Wiggins, so we arranged a party!" said Maria afterwards. "It was a perfect excuse to invite our friends over and it brightened up such a dull week for all of us! Thank you, Wiggins!"

Wiggins felt very important. Forgetting how bedraggled he was, he puffed out his chest with pride, trying to look his most magnificent for everyone.

After all, Wiggins was an extremely respectable dog.

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