It started as a peaceful afternoon. The air was warm, and the sky was just beginning to dim as thick clouds rolled in. Lala, the little golden-furred dog, lay comfortably near the window, watching the trees sway gently in the breeze. She loved calm weather—it meant time for long naps, walks in the garden, and cuddles with her favorite human, Thuy. But something in the air felt different today.
Suddenly, a gust of wind howled through the trees, and dark clouds swallowed the sun. A low rumble echoed across the sky. Lala’s ears perked up. She stood, her tail tucked tightly between her legs, and looked around nervously.
BOOM!
The thunder crashed like a drum above the house. Lala jumped with a whimper, her heart racing. She didn’t understand thunder—it was loud, scary, and came out of nowhere. As rain began to slam against the windows and roof, Lala darted across the room and hid under the table.
Thuy, who was making tea in the kitchen, heard the first crash and rushed to find Lala.
“Lala? Sweetheart, where are you?”
Thuy crouched down and saw two wide, frightened eyes peeking out from the shadows. Lala’s body was trembling.
“Aww, my poor baby,” Thuy said gently. “It’s just a thunderstorm. You’re safe here.”
But Lala didn’t feel safe. The loud bangs and flashes of light outside made her stomach twist in fear. Each crash of thunder felt like the sky was falling.
Thuy tried to coax her out. She brought her favorite blanket and laid it nearby, along with a squeaky toy and a few treats. Lala peeked at them but refused to come out. Her paws trembled, and she buried her head under her front legs.
Thuy sighed and sat beside her. “Do you remember when you were a puppy, and you used to climb right into my lap when it rained? I would wrap you up like a little burrito and sing to you.”
As if understanding her words, Lala slowly crept forward and nudged Thuy’s knee with her wet nose. Her eyes were still filled with fear, but being close to Thuy helped just a little.
The thunder rumbled again, and Lala let out a low whine. She pressed herself against Thuy’s side, tail still tucked, body shivering.
Thuy picked her up and placed her gently in her lap, wrapping the blanket around both of them.
“You’re not alone,” she whispered. “I’m here with you. We’ll get through this together.”
The storm outside grew louder. Rain hammered the roof, and the wind howled like a wolf. The lights flickered once or twice, and Lala whimpered each time. But wrapped in Thuy’s arms, the panic began to dull, even if just a little.
To help distract her, Thuy turned on some soft classical music. The gentle melodies filled the room, calming the atmosphere. She rubbed Lala’s back in slow circles and kept whispering sweet words.
“You’re such a brave girl, Lala. The thunder can’t hurt you. It’s just noise. You’re safe in our home.”
Lala’s breathing slowed, and her body began to relax. Her ears were still alert, twitching at every sound, but she wasn’t trembling as much anymore. She leaned her head against Thuy’s chest, listening to her heartbeat.
An hour passed, and the storm slowly began to fade. The thunder rolled farther into the distance, and the rain softened to a gentle patter.
Thuy looked down and smiled. “See? It’s almost over.”
Lala gave a tiny tail wag, still cautious but comforted. She licked Thuy’s chin once and curled tighter in her lap.
Later that evening, when the sky cleared and the last drops of rain fell from the trees, Thuy let Lala out onto the porch. The air smelled of wet grass and flowers. The world was quiet again.
Lala stepped out slowly, sniffing the ground, tail flicking behind her. She looked up at the clouds, as if wondering if the thunder would come back. But for now, the sky was calm.
Thuy stood beside her. “See? You did great. I’m proud of you.”
Lala looked up at her human, her eyes full of love and trust. She was still scared of storms, but knowing she had Thuy made all the difference.
That night, Lala slept curled up beside Thuy, snug under the blankets. Every once in a while, her paws twitched, and she let out tiny whimpers in her dreams. Maybe she was still thinking about the thunder.
But Thuy was there, stroking her fur gently.
“You’re safe, my little girl. I’ll always protect you.”
The Next Rainy Day
A few weeks later, another storm rolled in. This time, Lala noticed the darkening sky and stiffened, ears tilted forward. She watched the trees swaying and the first drops of rain hitting the window.
She looked at Thuy, unsure. The thunder hadn’t started yet, but the memory lingered.
Thuy noticed and knelt beside her. “It’s okay, Lala. Come sit with me.”
The two of them sat by the window, listening together as the storm grew. When the thunder finally boomed across the sky, Lala flinched but didn’t hide. She stayed next to Thuy, who had wrapped the same cozy blanket around her.
It wasn’t easy, but it was easier than before.
With every storm that came, Lala learned a little more about trust, safety, and the comfort of someone who loved her unconditionally. The fear was still there—but so was the strength.
And from that day on, no matter how loud the thunder or how hard the rain, Lala knew she wouldn’t face it alone.
