Here is a comprehensive summary of the Wikipedia article on "The Loaded Dog":

"The Loaded Dog" is a classic comedy short story by Australian writer Henry Lawson, first published in the 1901 collection Joe Wilson and His Mates. The plot follows three gold miners—Dave Regan, Jim Bently, and Andy Page—and their foolish young retriever, Tommy, who picks up a lit explosive cartridge meant for fishing, sparking a farcical chase. The men desperately try to escape the dog, which thinks it's all a game, until Tommy drops the bomb near a vicious mongrel, causing an explosion that maims the dog and leaves the onlooking Bushmen in hysterics. Known for its vivid characterisation, particularly of the "slobbering" and idiotic Tommy, the story is a beloved example of Australian bush humour. It has been widely reprinted in numerous anthologies and collections, cementing its status as one of Lawson's most enduring and entertaining works.