In Keith’s words. “Using this photo 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.
Rescue me by John W. Howell © 2020
“Come on boy. You can do it, boy.”
“The name’s Roscoe. Call me Roscoe.”
“Come on Roscoe. You can do it.”
“I know I can do it. My feet are touching the bottom. See I’m walking in.”
“Okay, you are almost here. Halleluiah I’m saved.”
“Saved what are you talking about? You having a soulful experience over there?”
“You are a rescue dog aren’t you?”
“Whaaaaat? Rescue dog?”
“Yeah, even your name screams rescue. Roscoe rescue.”
“How long you been on this island, Mate?”
“Hard to tell. What year is it?”
“2020.”
“Yikes. my boat foundered and sank in 2018.”
“Well, genius looks like you have been here for two years. I like what you’ve done to the place.”
“So you are not a rescue dog/”
“Look at me, Bud. I couldn’t rescue myself let alone some hayseed your size.”
“Well, at least it is nice to have someone to talk to. Want some tea?”
“You know Sport. You are dumber than you look. How many dogs you know drink tea?”
“Well, none.”
“Yes, that’s right. Also, let me ask you a question.”
“Okay, shoot.”
“How many dogs you know talk?”
“Again none.”
“So maybe you better take stock, Rube. Ya think you might be having a hallucination?”
“You have got to be kidding. I watched you swim from the horizon to here.”
“So whats that fifty miles you think?”
“Seems difficult but you are a rescue dog.”
“Wake up Ferd. Go ahead and touch me.”
“Oh, my. My hand went right through you.”
“What does that tell you?”
“I’m just dreaming.”
“Now you got it. One last question.”
“Sure, might as well.”
“Why a dog hallucination?”
“What do you mean?”
“You could dream up anyone. Why a dog?”
“Man’s best friend I suppose. ”
“You are hopeless. Okay, I’ll take the tea. Darjeeling I hope. A little milk no sugar. Got scones?”
Fiction Favorites 
It looks like two years on a deserted island have taken their toll on the poor bloke. At least he doesn’t see the dog as pawed protein!
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It could be worse, Keith. That is for sure.. Thanks.
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Great story and twist at the end. 😀 It made me think of Cast Away and wonder, what if Hanks had talked to an imaginary dog? Ahh…maybe this episode is the beginning of a series of posts or novel. Then again, maybe “man’s best friend” will rescue us from 2020.
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We can only hope on the rescue, Gwen. Thank you.
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Loved this, John! Like Gwen, I thought of Cast Away…one of my favorite movies! Roscoe seems to have a little Twiggy attitude in him. 🙂
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I thought of Twiggy as well!
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😊
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Sometimes it is hard to seperate personalities. Thanks, Jill. 😊
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🙂
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Ha! It’s nice starting a day with a laugh, John. Thanks for this one.
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Anytime, Dan. 😊
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Aw, that’s a cute one, John.
All I thought was, “Sure swim when the water’s 35 degrees, it’ll be fun they said!”
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Hahahha. He looks like it is cold doesn’t he? Good one, GP.
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Madness can make some interesting friendships.
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At least he is not alone. 😊
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When living inside your head is preferable to the real world, you get a talking dog companion. I’m almost jealous of the guy.
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I know right? Of course, it could be a Robot named Lisa too.
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She doesn’t swim. Sinks like a rock, then has to walk.
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Maybe Lisa 2.0 could use a floatation device
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You never fail to entertain, John. A talking dog – Darjeeling tea and scones! Wow! Inside your head is a magnificent place of imagination!
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Thank you, Jan. You brought to mind my high school freshman French teacher. I was acting out something or another in the back of the room before class started and she happened to walk by. “When are you ever going to grow up?” she said. “Never I hope,” I said without thinking. That reply got me a visit to the vice principals office. So it continues. 😁
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What a great story, John! Here’s to never growing up!
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Hear, Hear.
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That was blinkin’ brilliant, John. So much fun. I think I LOVE Roscoe the not-rescue dog. Is he looking for a home, perchance? I’ve been locked in this house since February and could use a new hallucination or two, myself. 😀
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I think we all could. This was actually a metaphor for all of us abandoned on this island. Thanks, Marcia.
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This was wonderful, so funny and clever! I loved every word of it!!
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That took a bunch of unexpected turns all over the place, LOL! I loved the humor, and the last string of dialogue is priceless.
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Thank you, Mae. A super comment. Made my day.
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🙂
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It is an improvement over Wilson. However Roscoe is not Matilda. From there it is not far to dreaming up and orchestra and wandering over to the dance floor for a waltz. Something a little stronger in your tea ?
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Some more maderia my dear? Thanks, John
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A talking dog? Who likes tea and scones? ‘Tis brilliant, John — thank you for a day-brightener!
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I’m glad you liked it, Debbie. 😊
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Now that veered off in a direction I would never have suspected! At least Wilson was something that could be touched… but hey, imaginary or not, one has to make some kind of connection, eh? Too funny…
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If I was going to hallucinate a companion an animal would be my pick.
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Me too unless it was a rhinosauraus.
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Lol
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😁
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That’s my kind of hallucination. A talking dog would be perfect. Makes sense to me. I hear ’em all the time. … oh, wait. 🙄
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Hahahaha. Thanks, Soooz.
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😁
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If I’m going to dream someone up, her first name just might be Vera . . .
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I can imagine that it is.
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Hilarious! I’m drinking tea in Roscoe’s honor.
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Don’t forget the scone. Here take this clotted cream to go with it. 😁
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Thank, John. I love scones. Thank you so much!
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😊
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Thanks. LOL! Time to quit typing. 🙂
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Hahaha, loved this. Roscoe actually sounded a lot like my little (passed) dog; all attitude and little dog syndrome 😁
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A nice memory, Jessica. Thanks for sharing. 😊
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LOL! I’ll sip to that! Mine is black tea though. That was a cute spin on a rescue dog, John.
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Thank you, Deborah. 😁
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If you could dream up anyone, man’s best friend is the best. Well done, John!
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😁
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[…] Rescue me by John W. Howell © 2020 […]
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