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.”
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?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was catching Trevor in his natural state where he doesn’t have to impress you.
LikeLike
He rarely does, John. Trevor has always been his own dog, more than capable of arguing his corner – forcefully and vocally.
LikeLike
I’m sure. I depicted him when you are not there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An audience of one is better than none I guess.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha haha.
LikeLike
“You ever wonder what goes on in there when the Master & Mistress lock us out?”
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a great one, GP
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My experiences with the Jack Russell…they want the entire neighborhood to hear them bark, no matter the time of day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha haha. Perfect observation. I have the same opinion. 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ours like their crates. A matter of security.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maddie love her crate
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup
LikeLiked by 1 person
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…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good old Zeke. 💩
LikeLiked by 1 person
What’s with the poop?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stands for dog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well. Ok then. 🐶🐕
LikeLiked by 1 person
😴
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sweet dreams
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I shut down before I saw this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I responded late 😉
LikeLike
Serious discussions. I think mine could just go through the door, then he’d be proud of having done so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They would then turn to you and try to explain how they saved your life. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It could be a squirrel or maybe even a mailman. The life of a dog is soooo stressful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we need to recognize this when they do something we don’t like.
LikeLiked by 1 person
John,
The secret language of dogs IS a thing, as you well know.
Perfect story for the picture.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you , Marc
LikeLiked by 1 person
You speak dog fluently.
LikeLiked by 1 person
But I can’t write in it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well . . dogs need to keep changing it so’s they always remain two paws ahead of us . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true. LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
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. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can hear Jack Russell’s a mile away. Thanks, Gwen
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Coud be a ghost that would scare you more. 😱
LikeLiked by 1 person
The minute I saw this photo, I knew it was going to be right up your alley! Love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You definitely have the dog convos nailed, John.
LikeLike
Thank you, Teri.
LikeLike
This has ‘John Howell’ written all over it! ♥
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Billy Ray
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good thing they were able to warn the wolf to say away:)
LikeLike
Thanks, Denise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He doesn’t mind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure this is EXACTLY what they think before they start barking haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thaks Victoria Ray
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊Loved it, John. Methinks that wolf may have been wearing a sheepskin coat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha haha. Thanks, Soooz
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Such dog logic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is. Thaks, Jessica.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] The Door by John W. Howell © 2019 […]
LikeLike