“Guess what? Aliens landed in our backyard (noo, not the usual type!). Bruno fainted – typical. Lucy, excited as ever. But guess who played fetch with them and stopped an Alien invasion? Mwah! Still think I’m just a fluffy dollop? P.S. aliens love squeaky rubber ducks, just like me! Woof kisses, Maya the Daredevil Doll”

Listen to the story here

Alright, imagine if you will, one night, shimmering lights danced above Pawsburg, as everything took on an eerie glow – and no, it wasn’t someone dropping hallucinogens into the Pooched Potatoes. Turns out, we had visitors. Not the usual overnight stay kind, but the sort with antennae, four arms, and skin that glowed like a squeaky rubber duck, only less inviting.

The first encounter was on the banks of Golden Retriever River. I was there, wrapped up in a game of fetch with Bruno and Lucy. The minute we saw the spaceship land, Bruno took on a look that said, “I’ve had fewer nightmares after a bellyful of Fur Tacos”, and promptly passed out. Lucy, on the other hand, wagged her tail so hard, she looked like a furry windmill.

“Okay, Bruno, breathe,” I commanded, while looking at the spaceship. I shrugged off the instinctive prickling sensation on my snow-white fur, promising myself a visit to The Dapper Dog Salon to wash off the intergalactic dust later. Right then, it was showtime. This was my backyard and I was not about to let it be overshadowed!

Hearing mechanical rumbles in the distance, I deduced it was no longer an “if they come,” but a “when they come” situation, straight out of a sci-fi movie. I took the lead, eager to face whatever these Aliens had in store. My blue eyes sparked with a challenge, my tail flicking every now and then.

“Maya, the poodle, Pawsburg’s own brand of porcelain doll cum daredevil. Leader of the Doggie Rebellion against the Alien Overlords. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?” My thoughts were interrupted by what seemed like the head alien emerging from the spaceship.

With a strut that cried “I am the king of the universe,” he strode towards me. I could see his four stubby hands outstretch, holding a device emitting a peculiar sound. It was my squeaky rubber duck’s squeak! A blast from the past, huh? Or I guess in his case, from the future?

“Well, at least we have something in common,” I sighed.

I offered a gambit, pushing over my precious rubber duck to extend a paw of friendship. The alien seemed to regard my fluffy elegance with equal curiosity, taking the toy and squeezing it. Definitely an improvement over water and soap. Anything was an improvement over water and soap.

Teaching them fetch seemed to create an uncommon bond, as the rest of the alien fleet emerged for a game – the event transforming into a sort of alien-dog mixer. Turns out, Aliens aren’t that bad when they’re entertained.

That was the night I led the charge and protected my verdant paradise of Pawsburg from an Alien invasion by playing fetch. No biggie right?

Just another day in the life of Maya, your seemingly delicate, porcelain dollop of fluff on four legs. Never underestimate a Poodle, my friend. Especially when it involves squeaky rubber ducks.

The End.