Lucy's Journal

Lucy’s Journal – “Bowling Night with the Crew”

Dear Journal,

It’s Lucy again — white and tan Shih Tzu, professional snack hunter, and keeper of the team’s most important notes. Tonight was one for the books.

Kiwi (my green-cheek conure cousin) told me earlier, “Lucy, we need a team celebration. Something classy, something with flashing lights and greasy food.” And just like that, the plan was hatched: bowling night at Suburban Lanes.

We all met in the parking lot. Peanut, my tiger-striped cat cousin, strutted up first. He was still bragging about how he tackled that Pitt fan’s nacho plate during the big game. The Quackers, Amy’s twin ducks, waddled in behind him like a little feathery mafia, quacking in perfect rhythm. Kiwi circled above before landing right on top of the “Cosmic Bowling Tonight!” sign.

Inside, it was like stepping into another world — black lights, neon bowling balls, and the smell of nachos. Perfect.

We grabbed Lane 7. Peanut insisted on being team captain, even though he doesn’t have thumbs. Kiwi perched on the ball return like a coach, yelling tips: “Keep it straight! More spin! Don’t drop it on your paw!” The Quackers waddled up together, somehow managing to push one ball down the lane in unison. It rolled so slow we all thought it would stop halfway — but wouldn’t you know it, STRIKE! The ducks quacked so loud the whole alley turned to look.

When it was my turn, I used the bumpers (don’t judge me). I gave the ball a strong Shih Tzu shove and barked at it all the way down. Boom — 7 pins. Peanut high-pawed me, and Kiwi cheered like I’d just won the Super Bowl.

Between turns, we kept reminiscing about the Pitt game. Kiwi bragged about stealing two hats with her dive-bomb attack. The Quackers laughed about how they had Pitt fans running in circles, slipping on spilled beer. And Peanut, of course, told the nacho story three more times, adding extra details each round until it sounded like he had single-pawed taken on a whole tailgate.

We bowled, we laughed, we ate fries from someone else’s basket (don’t ask how we got them). It felt good, celebrating our victory together — not just as cousins, but as a squad.

By the time the lights dimmed for cosmic bowling, we were already talking about our next adventure. Peanut suggested laser tag. Kiwi says we should storm a roller rink. The Quackers just quacked in agreement.

Me? I’m just happy to be with my crew, wherever we end up.

— Lucy 🐾