In Keith’s words. “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
The photo.
The Door by John W. Howell © 2019
“Shush.”
“What are you doing?”
“I’m trying to determine what is behind the door and I need to listen with no noise from you.”
“All I was doing was breathing.”
“You were snoring.”
“Was not.”
“Please hush now.”
“Okay, but I don’t hear anything.”
“From where you are I’m not surprised.”
“I’ll have you know that Russell Terriers have a very keen sense of hearing.”
“Blah, blah, blah. Now be quiet.”
“Oh.”
“What now?”
“I hear something.”
“Yeah sure, you do.”
“I do. I wish the folks were at home.”
“Why?”
“What’s the use of barking if there is no one to hear.”
“Says the terrier philosopher.”
“I mean it. Maybe we should put up an alarm anyway.”
“I wish you would be quiet.”
“Fine.”
“I think it is a wolf.”
“Yeah right?”
“I’m serious.”
“I’m staying in this bed then. You go get him.”
“You know I can’t open doors, right?”
“Then let’s just wait until he goes away.”
“Not very dog-like.”
“But no one will know if we bark.”
“The wolf will.”
“Good enough for me. Here goes.”
Fiction Favorites 
Two comments on this excellent tale, Sir:
1. Eos can’t open doors, ’tis true, but I did have a greyhound who could – and did. A friend’s lurcher who was staying with us opened the door to let Trevor out, too!
2. Are you suggesting that a Jack Russell needs an excuse or justification to bark?
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I was catching Trevor in his natural state where he doesn’t have to impress you.
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He rarely does, John. Trevor has always been his own dog, more than capable of arguing his corner – forcefully and vocally.
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I’m sure. I depicted him when you are not there.
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An audience of one is better than none I guess.
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Ha haha.
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“You ever wonder what goes on in there when the Master & Mistress lock us out?”
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This is a great one, GP
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Thanks, John!
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My experiences with the Jack Russell…they want the entire neighborhood to hear them bark, no matter the time of day.
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Ha haha. Perfect observation. I have the same opinion. 😄
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Well done John. I wonder if our dog barks when we’re out. I think that’s why we put her in her crate. Not the barking so much as the climbing up to get in the window to do it. She wants to be heard.
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Ours like their crates. A matter of security.
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Maddie love her crate
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Yup
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That was great! I can well imagine such a discussion going on to decide on whether or not to bark. Thankfully, Zeke is NOT a barker. When we walk, we watch other dogs in the window go ballistic and shake our heads… Yes, yes, Zeke does, too…
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Good old Zeke. 💩
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What’s with the poop?
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Stands for dog.
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Well. Ok then. 🐶🐕
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😴
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Sweet dreams
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Thanks. I shut down before I saw this.
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I responded late 😉
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Serious discussions. I think mine could just go through the door, then he’d be proud of having done so.
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They would then turn to you and try to explain how they saved your life. 😀
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Exactly.
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It could be a squirrel or maybe even a mailman. The life of a dog is soooo stressful.
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I think we need to recognize this when they do something we don’t like.
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John,
The secret language of dogs IS a thing, as you well know.
Perfect story for the picture.
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Thank you , Marc
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You speak dog fluently.
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But I can’t write in it.
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Well . . dogs need to keep changing it so’s they always remain two paws ahead of us . .
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So true. LOL
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🙂
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Loved the story. I often wonder what our dogs think. My friend has a Jack Russell and it definitely has a mind of its own. 😀
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You can hear Jack Russell’s a mile away. Thanks, Gwen
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I love how you really got into the world of dogs with this story, John. It makes me wonder what my two are saying about me, and why they sometimes bark at something I can’t see. I think they are just trying to scare me.
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Coud be a ghost that would scare you more. 😱
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The minute I saw this photo, I knew it was going to be right up your alley! Love it!
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Thank you, Jan.
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You definitely have the dog convos nailed, John.
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Thank you, Teri.
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This has ‘John Howell’ written all over it! ♥
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Thanks Billy Ray
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Good thing they were able to warn the wolf to say away:)
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Thanks, Denise.
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Aw, I wonder if Dallas minds being an “only dog”?? Nobody to converse with, nobody to shush. Of course, he never needs an excuse to bark — Shelties are very vocal. Nicely done!
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He doesn’t mind.
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I’m sure this is EXACTLY what they think before they start barking haha
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Thaks Victoria Ray
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😊Loved it, John. Methinks that wolf may have been wearing a sheepskin coat.
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Ha haha. Thanks, Soooz
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😀
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Ha! Such dog logic.
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Yes it is. Thaks, Jessica.
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[…] The Door by John W. Howell © 2019 […]
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