From Office Pup to Outer Space

Hello, dear reader! Winston here, your favorite French Bulldog, back with another thrilling update from the wild, dramatic, and oh-so-squishy world of yours truly. Hold on to your leashes because this week, I experienced a lot. Like, existential-crisis-level a lot. (I seem to be having those often lately.) Let me explain.

A Ruff Day at the “Office”

So, picture me, posted up in my usual spot as Junior Office Mascot of the office. A crucial, highly specialized role, I assure you. My primary responsibilities include napping, gazing wistfully out the window, and occasionally supervising the fridge door in case snacks appear.

But then—horror of horrors—my aunties decided I wasn’t “pulling my weight.” Apparently, lollygagging on a sun-drenched carpet isn’t “real work.” Excuse me? That rug isn’t going to flatten itself! Totally unappreciated.

Anyway, they had the audacity to make me do things, like fetch a toy and interact with them. They even made me, brace yourself, go outside for a walk. The nerve! After approximately 12 minutes of this unacceptable behavior, I’d had enough. Clearly, I needed a new career.

Career Aspirations: Barking Among the Stars

Being the highly ambitious doggo I am, I looked to the stars (literally, there was a squirrel on the roof, very inspiring). And then it hit me: astronaut. High-flying adventures, zero-gravity naps, floating snacks…what could be better?

With my usual gusto, I dove paws-first into research. Apparently, there’s a history of dogs in space. Ever heard of Laika the Space Dog? I hadn’t either, until now. And let me tell you, dear reader, her story put all my cosmic dreams on paws.

Laika, bless her brave little heart, was the first dog to orbit Earth, launched by the Soviet Union aboard Sputnik 2 in 1957. But her journey wasn’t exactly happy. It was far from it. The Soviets sent her into space knowing full well it was a one-way trip—they didn’t even make plans for her to come home. What?! I mean, what kind of ride-share is this? Poor Laika! She faced dangerous G-forces, terrifying noises, and the grim reality of a mission designed to end in her death. By the time I found out about her triple heart rate and quadrupled breathing, I was already spiraling (not in zero gravity, just regular, dramatic Winston-style spiraling). Laika was a pioneer, but at such a terrible cost.

Epiphany Time: Gratitude (and Snacks)

Laika’s story gave me a serious case of the heckin’ feels. Here I was, grumbling about having to mildly exert myself at work, when a true four-pawed pioneer made such a big sacrifice—for science, for history, for human curiosity. Suddenly, my oh-so-difficult life as Junior Office Mascot didn’t seem so hard. I realized I owe it to the Laikas of the world to honor every couch, every chew toy, every snack with renewed gratitude.

So, I’ve officially hung up my imaginary space helmet and returned to my humble yet vital mission: being the laziest, comfiest, most snack-dedicated doggo this office has ever known. Never again will I take my window-staring duties for granted.

So, dear readers, the takeaway here is simple: sometimes the grass isn’t greener on the other side, or in outer space. Sometimes, the best place to be is exactly where you are.

Until next time, keep your paws on the ground, your tails wagging, and your gratitude levels high.

With love, humility, and zero plans to join NASA,

Winston 🐾