WEST DES MOINES, IA—Local canine resident Lucky has quite the reputation in his neighborhood. Since his adoption by human Stuart Johanson two years ago, the 4-year-old pug mix has shown a fearless attitude in nearly every situation.
Whether defending nearby humans from unruly fox squirrels, thwarting a potential break-in by a letter carrier, preventing helicopters from landing in the backyard, or alerting his master of possibly threatening friends at the door, Lucky shows nothing but courage and harsh vocalizations in the face of danger. The brave pooch seems unaware of his 1-foot, 14-pound frame as he tells off rude neighbor dogs five times his size, and his admirers are inspired by his quiet strength while enduring nightmarish bi-weekly baths.
Lucky's carefully crafted reputation for being one tough pup was somewhat tainted yesterday when sources witnessed him lower his head, tuck his tail, and back away at the arrival of an unplugged vacuum cleaner to the living room where he had been napping. The dog reportedly scurried down the hallway and hid under a bed while the machine was in use, remaining there until it had been turned off and put away for twenty minutes.
Johanson has been unable to come up with an explanation as to why the vacuum cleaner is Lucky's sole weakness. "That's really the only thing," he explained. "[Lucky] will bark at literally everything else: people, thunder, hair dryers, blenders... but if one of us so much as touches that vacuum, he shuts up and books it."
Lucky was last seen at his front window "losing his [scat]" over two elderly women walking menacingly on the opposite side of the street.