“Hey Ma, guess who faced down an Alien Invasion today? Yup, your little Pumpkin, feasting on Bow Wow Bistro’s roast beef, no less! Pawsburg’s safe, but next time, I’m negotiating inter-galactic peace treaties BEFORE dinner. Woof you! – Pumpkin (Dolly)”

Listen to the story here

I reckon I’ve never seen anything quite like it, and it seems neither has Dolly. I’d just snuck off for the night as it’s my custom to do. Now I find us with a predicament that’s straight outta the Star Struck comics Doc Giles used to sneak me from his store, back when I was just a curious pup. Turns out, the aliens ain’t just in comics anymore, and our town, our dear Pawsburg, finds itself in the middle of a full, bona fide Alien Invasion.

We’d run off from Husky Hill where Dolly ain’t at home – that’s terrain for mountain dogs, not for city lovin’ ones like us – and down through Lower Golden Gate Gardens all the way to Golden Gate Gardens. This was territory we knew best, territories under threat regardless of our bulldog spirit.

“Best get some grub before we face the music, ain’t that right, girl?” I said eyeing a proud Dolly beside me, that classy patch of red fur round her right eye made her look even more courageous. Dolly, never being one to turn down a meal, let out a little woof of agreement. ‘Course we naturally found our way to the Bow Wow Bistro, ain’t no place cooks a beef roast better. As it turns out, even impending doom can’t take away from Dolly’s love for a good meal.

While at the Bow Wow Bistro, we ran into Rupert from The Pawfect Training Center. His eyes as wide as saucers, he said, “Y’all heard about those strange lights down at Fishy Bites?” Dolly, all calm and cool, looked up from her toy fish – Rishi the Fishy, and there ain’t no other toy she loves more – to give Rupert what could only be described as a Bulldog’s nod of wisdom. No fear, just comprehension. She knew somethin’ was up and that we were in it up to our ears.

I ain’t bound to tell you that what followed that night was far from a cakewalk. Truth be told, I ain’t sure I believed in aliens till then. Certainly, Dolly, though always good-natured, wasn’t too fond of sudden loud noises. Yup, there was a bit of alien-related ruckus that night, and the sight of those strange beings made my paws shiver. But we knew we had a town to protect, and my, how we fought! That tale, though, with all its might and fright, is a story for another day.

But you know what stands out in my memory of that eeriest of nights? It’s Dolly contently chomping down roast beef amid an alien onslaught. Dolly, always ready for an adventure. Dolly, always ready to stand for Pawsburg, our home.

The End.