Thursday – A Little Personal – Watchdogs

Lucy, Bailey, Stella

“Hey boss, we have a code red here.”

“Code red? Lucy. What’s a code red?

“Tell the boss what code red means, Bailey.”

“Intruders, pop. Code red means intruders.”

Lucy

“They’re here. We have barbarians at the gate.”

“C’mon, Lucy. There is an easy explanation.”

Lucy

“Easy for you boss. You don’t have to put your mouth on a dirty pant leg.”

“They are the painters. They are going to make us look beautiful.”

“What do you mean, us, Pop?”

“I should have said they will make our house beautiful.”

“You may have those canines fooled, John. I for one am keeping my options open.”

“You on the table, Stella?”

“Uh . . . it looks that way, John.”

“Does mom know you are up there?”

Stella

Well, I really don’t know. Never thought to ask.”

“I guess what I mean is has she ever asked you to jump up on the table?”

“You know. I can’t really recall. You going to tell her?

“Well, I think it is not important with everything else going on.”

“Good man, John. Give us a kiss.”

80 comments

  1. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    This conversation seems oddly believable.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Ha ha ha. SCORE for the fiction writer.

      Like

  2. Gwen M. Plano's avatar
    Gwen Plano · ·

    Ahhh, so sweet. It has to be worrisome for watchdogs when strangers are working on the house. Hope you all stay safe through the hurricane…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      We are going to Austin. Leaving today.

      Like

      1. Gwen M. Plano's avatar
        Gwen Plano · ·

        Thank goodness 👍

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          We are in Austin now. Thanks for your concern, Gwen

          Like

  3. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

    Stella look so innocent. Bailey’s look in that first shot cracked me up! Be safe, John. The weather report doesn’t sound good.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      We have decided to leave. Heading for Austin today. Thanks, Jill

      Like

      1. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

        I’m relieved to hear that, John. I think it’s a wise call. Drive safe.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Thank you, Jill. We are in Austin now.

          Liked by 1 person

  4. John Fioravanti's avatar
    John Fioravanti · ·

    Reblogged this on Words To Captivate ~ by John Fioravanti and commented:
    John W. Howell gifts us with another heartwarming and hilarious episode with Lucy, Bailey, and Stella. You don’t want to miss this…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you for the reblog, John

      Like

      1. John Fioravanti's avatar
        John Fioravanti · ·

        You’re welcome, John.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Jennie's avatar

    I love this trio!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks, Jennie

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie's avatar

        You’re welcome, John.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Mae Clair's avatar

    Look at that sweet Stella’s face. How could you resist?
    These three (and you) make such an entertaining team!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Mae. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Natalie Ducey's avatar

    Always a treat, John! Thanks for the giggles. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      You are welcome, Natalie.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Staci Troilo's avatar

    These are my favorites. Good luck with the painters.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes. They may need it.

      Like

  9. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    These are always SO spot-on and believable. Until I saw Gwen’s post, I didn’t know a hurricane is bearing down on Texas. Will you guys evacuate or ride it out? Whatever you do, stay safe and keep your fur babies safe!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      we have made the decision o leave. Thanks, Jan.

      Like

  10. Audrey Dawn - Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister's avatar

    John, I’m keeping you and your wife in my thoughts and prayers as the weather changes. Stay safe ♡
    Oh, and I love Thursdays with the sweeties at your place.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Audrey. We are heading to Austin.

      Like

      1. Audrey Dawn - Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister's avatar

        Good to hear. Houston is on the dirty side..hoping my ex stays safe…I think. 😉

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Your ex safe? Only Audrey would have that emotion. Hugs

          Like

  11. Plot Monster's avatar

    Cracked me up!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Glad you liked it. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Almost Iowa's avatar

    I hear the hurricane might come your way. Here is hoping that you and Port Aransas stays safe and suffers no harm. Take care.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yeah, We are going to leave. Expecting a ten foot surge. (That’s about five feet higher than I want. It is expected that the electricity will be gone. So that is enough for me.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Debbie's avatar

    Good decision to head away from there, John! Stay safe, my friend. Tell the critters I enjoyed their conversation this morning.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      In Austin now. Thanks, Debbie.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Debbie's avatar

        You’ll still get rain, but you’ll avoid having to grab onto trees to keep from blowing out to the Gulf. Prayers for your safety!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          True. Thanks, Debbie.

          Like

  14. Teri Polen's avatar

    Glad you’re headed inland – stay safe!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Here is Austin now. Thanks, Teri

      Like

  15. Teagan Riordain Geneviene's avatar

    Safe travels with the evac John. Sending good thoughts.
    I spotted this title in my email this morning — It was hard to wait until lunchtime! This one is fabulous and Stella’s expressions topped it off. Thanks for making me laugh. Hugs on the wing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’m so glad you could laugh, Teagan. Thank you.

      Like

  16. Fictionophile's avatar

    Thanks for adding some four-footed levity to my day.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      You are so welcome. Thank you.

      Like

  17. D.L. Finn, Author's avatar
    D.L Finn, Author · ·

    Lol…can’t fool the cat! I could see a whole show based on your three!

    Stay safe!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. coldhandboyack's avatar

    You have the differences nailed down between cats and dogs. Another fun post.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Craig.

      Like

  19. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.'s avatar

    Stay safe John.. and lovely post as always… when we finally get our new dog I must make sure she connects with your lot on Skype perhaps… xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      That would be fun. Thanks, Sally.

      Like

  20. robbiesinspiration's avatar

    This is wonderful, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you , Robbie.

      Like

  21. Jacquie Biggar's avatar

    Love this, you have the cat attitude down pat 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      She is amazing in many ways. Thanks Jacquie

      Liked by 1 person

  22. The Coastal Crone's avatar

    Someone said the conversations are almost believable – they are! Have a safe trip to Austin, John. We plan on staying as we are high on a bluff. Will roll the shutters and hunker down with water, wine and whisky. Not looking forward to loosing power though!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yeah, I would have stayed but the police threw us out. Thanks Jo. Stay safe.

      Like

  23. Micki Peluso's avatar

    These guys are so cute!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks, Micki.

      Like

  24. Frank @ Beach Walk Reflections's avatar

    Thinking of you as the storm approaches … then again, you have quite the guard crew.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks Frank. We have a mandatory evacuation so we are now in Austin. Thanks for your concern

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Frank @ Beach Walk Reflections's avatar

        Sounds good! Hope the homestead does well.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          We hope so as well. Does not look good since the storm is going to stall.

          Liked by 1 person

        2. Frank @ Beach Walk Reflections's avatar

          And stalling would be Obama’s fault.

          Liked by 1 person

        3. John W. Howell's avatar

          Of course. 😀

          Liked by 1 person

        4. Frank @ Beach Walk Reflections's avatar

          You’ll enjoy this one … a response to me blaming the Harvey on Obama … “Damned Obama! I heard he could stop the rain, but just chooses not to since he was not born in this country and started ISIS.”

          Liked by 1 person

        5. John W. Howell's avatar

          Ha ha ha. Good one.

          Like

  25. Keith Edgar Channing's avatar

    I love these discourses John.
    Oh; and be safe in this coming weather!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Keith

      Like

  26. Dan Antion's avatar

    Great conversation. I’m sure this is how they think. Maddie understands completely. It’s a good thing we have vinyl siding.

    I was going to ask about the storm, but I see from other comments that you’ve moved to safety. I hope it’s less of an issue than forecast but mainly hope you all are well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Looks like flooding will be an issue. They are calling for 30 inches of rain. We are trying not to think of the results.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dan Antion's avatar

        Ugh. I’m so sorry. I hope the forecasters are wrong. It has happened…

        Like

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Hugs, Sally. 😀

      Like

  27. dgkaye's avatar

    Brilliant and entertaining John.:)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Debby.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. circadianreflections's avatar

    Intruders at the gate!!! That’s it in a nutshell for them. 🙂 Hope all is okay with you guys! Keeping you and all in that mess in my thoughts and prayers!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you so much, Deborah. We still can’t go back until the authorities say it is okay. No word on the house yet.

      Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Thank you, Deborah.

          Like

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Traci

      Like