It was a scorching summer afternoon, the kind where even the ceiling fan felt tired. The sun blazed through the windows, and everything seemed to melt in the heat—including poor Lala, Thuy’s fluffy golden retriever.
Lala had been restless all day, rolling on the carpet, scratching behind her ears, and groaning dramatically every few minutes. Her thick fur wasn’t helping. No matter how many times Thuy brushed her, Lala still looked itchy, panting and eyeing the kitchen tile floor like it was a frozen lake.
“Okay, girl. I get it,” Thuy said, kneeling beside her. “Let’s go for a swim.”
At the word “swim,” Lala perked up instantly. Her tail wagged like a helicopter about to lift off.
Thuy packed a towel, some treats, and a dog-safe floaty, and they headed to the nearby lake. As soon as they arrived, Lala dashed into the shallow water, kicking up little splashes as she ran. She dove right in, paddling joyfully, the cool water instantly soothing her itchy skin.
Thuy laughed and kicked off her sandals, wading in after her. “Feeling better already?” she called out. Lala barked in response, circling around her, tongue out and eyes shining.
They spent the afternoon playing fetch with a floating toy, racing through the water, and lying in the shade afterward with a breeze drying their hair and fur. Thuy even gave Lala a gentle rinse with clean water before heading home to make sure no lake water irritated her skin further.
That night, Lala slept like a puppy—no scratching, no groaning, just peaceful, happy snores.
As Thuy tucked her in with a smile, she whispered, “Don’t worry, Lala. Next time it gets hot, we’re going swimming again.”
And with a little tail thump and a sigh of contentment, Lala agreed.
