“Ha! Tell me the vacuums here aren’t heroic, Dad. Spent the day chasing secrets at the Silver Siberian Summit, got bested by burgers at Chow Hound Cafe, then wrestled victory at Husky Hill. Ended with a dip at Boxer Beach, leaving paw prints in the sand. How was your day, Ol’ chap? Cheeri-o! – Lollypop 🍭”

Listen to the story here

It was a hellishly ordinary morning, a morning so ordinary it could have been an advertisement for morning breakfast cereal. The kind of morning where the sun shines too brightly, daring you to try to not start your first cup of coffee. But you know, this was the kind of morning Lola relished. The sun was up, I saw my eccentric Australian Bulldog Lola fixing to take advantage of the day, her brown eyes sparkling, tail wagging like an overexcited pendulum ready to break the sound barrier.

Pawsburg, the hideaway town of us dogs, was bustling, and today was particularly exciting. We were due to make our canine pilgrimage: Silver Siberian Summit in the morning, Western Husky Hill by noon, and finally, a sunset swim at Boxer Beach. Yes, we had a busy day lined up, a day planned more carefully than a professional job interview.

So, there we were, starting our journey with as much enthusiasm as the vacuum cleaner – the villain of Lola’s otherwise idyllic world. The Summit sparkled in the early morning sun, a haven for the adventure-seeking canine. Lola was an affectionate soul, you see, but she did love a good romp up a mountain. Decrypting smells as if they were the Sunday crossword, she darted about enthusiastically, occasionally glancing back as if to ask, “Keeping up, old chap?”

Following our Summit scampering, we chanced upon a marvelous find, the Chow Hound Cafe. Belly rumbles are the most accurate of clocks, promising an explosion of cheeseburgers, Lola’s treasured treat. As the luscious aroma hit us, the spirit of competition mysteriously surfaced. Lola became a symphony of tail-wagging, drooling, and eager-puppy eyes while I attempted to preserve my dignity.

“No need to behave like an uncultured wombats,” I tried. Lola indicated I surrender my pretension, and so I did. We gobbled our cheeseburgers like two dogs who’d just discovered the meaning of life. It was a messy endeavour, one fully enjoyed.

Our mid-day mission was Western Husky Hill, a scene straight out of a spaghetti western if it were directed by dogs. The wind softly nuzzling our fur was a welcome disruption from the glaring sun. Here, we partook in a spirited game of tug-of-war with Lola’s beloved Kong chew toy, a match that left us panting like two sprinters out of breath, fathomless joy in Lola’s eyes, a victory for us both.

Boxer Beach was our final stop, a crowning jewel glittering under the setting sun. Here, Lola dipped her paws, whitened by sand, into the cool water and sent my heart into a whirl of affection. Seeing my dear friend, playfully frolicking in the waves, was a sight more precious than any treasure.

As the day ended in the quiet, quirky Pawsburg, we retired to our sleepy homestead, tails wagging, hearts full. A day well spent, with hearty laughter, exciting games, and unforgettable moments.

You see, in Lola’s incredible world of love, hijinx, adventure, cheeseburgers, laughter, and tender moments bloomed like perfect wildflowers. Each day was beautiful, every moment memorable. Every adventure, a testament of life – a testament of Lola, my beloved Australian Bulldog, my confidante, my fellow adventurer in this whimsical canine paradise called life.

And lifting my head with my best and tritest ‘goodnight’ look, we promised tomorrow shall be another ridiculously normal yet enchanting day, Burger-filled, vacuum-free, and of course, life-threatening as usual. Welcome to our world, mate. It’s the Lola way.

The End.