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.
After all by John W. Howell © 2021
“Okay, Trevor. Explain yourself.”
“It has been a hard week.”
“Yes?”
“And most everything I have tried hasn’t worked.”
“Like what?”
“Chased that confounded rabbit, and he left me in the dust.”
“Yeah, So. There are more rabbits.”
“Went after a chipmunk.”
“And?”
“He bared his teeth, and I ran.”
“Nothing wrong with that. Those things could be rabid.”
“The possum just fell over dead when I approached him.”
“I think he was faking.”
“Even worse. He fooled me.”
“I guess he did. What else.”
“Lost my favorite ball.”
“I picked it up and washed it.”
“No wonder that thing didn’t smell right. I can’t find my tuggy toy.”
“It is in the living room. I just stepped on it.”
“I think I have fleas.”
“You don’t have fleas. You are protected. So where is all this going?”
“I’m going to end it all. Got my head in the oven.”
“Hate to tell you, dear boy, but that’s the dishwasher.”
“I’m telling you this has been one of those weeks.”
“You can get out of there now.”
“When’s dinner?”
“As soon as you get out of there.”
“Done.”
Fiction Favorites 
LOLOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Chris. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! I can relate to poor Trevor. Well done, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jill. Glad you liked it. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a sweet photo and great story! My little bichon loved hopping up into the dishwasher to search for a lick or two. Thanks for the memories and morning delight. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lucy is a big DW fan. I have to chase her away most nights. Thanks, Gwen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha ha ha! This is hilarious!! Such doggy angst.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know right? Thanks, Liz. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
dinner is such a magical word haha
well done on this dialogue 👍😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who doesn’t like dinner? Thank you, VR. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
🥣🐶😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂
LikeLike
Poor lad. Too depressed to live and too stupid to know the difference between a cooker and a dishwasher. What hope is there for him?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thnk he was making a statement which in essence is a cry for help. Maybe a biscut and ear scratch will help. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh poor Trevor – but I’m glad a nice little meal will chase his troubles away 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think so. Chicken croquettes perhaps. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor Trevor. I’ve had those weeks. Good thing he has dinner to look forward to.
Too funny, John. Nicely done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Staci. I’m glad it gave you a chuckle. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor puppy. Though, I’m thinking he may have found a snack or two in there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure he did. He’s no fool in reality. 😊
LikeLike
Poor Trevor. I thought he was just completing the prewash cycle. Keep an eye on him.
Well done, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think that is what is happening for sure. Thanks, Dan 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
But I like your story better.
LikeLike
Fiction is always better than fact. Thnks for that, Dan
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahaha, so many troubles, eh?!!
I only took a quick look at the photo and thought, “Roast beef! You told me there’d be roast beef!!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha. I like that one too. 😁I would add, “All I see is oatmeal.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahahah.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! Poor Trevor. He really had a rough week. He needs that dinner pronto!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would say he does, Mae.
LikeLiked by 1 person
On the bright side, he got a bath for his troubles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True enough. Thanks, Marc.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had a feeling you were going to go there!
Love this and got a good chuckle out of me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love to hear you got a chuckle. Thanks, Dale. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re terribly good at that!
LikeLike
Aw, thank you 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a bad week…lol
LikeLike
Oh, I love it when I see that a dog is in the photo prompt. That means I’m going to get some chuckles from what you write and this one is no exception. I laughed right out loud. Poor Trevor. I think I’ve had weeks like that. 🙂 Well-done, Mr. Howell!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Ms. Sikes. 😁 Glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If ever a dog needed encouragement and a pat on the head… who’s a good boy ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
pant-pant
LikeLiked by 1 person
Melika ‘ig-bay ime-tay’! [The notion is false that ‘pig latin’ will cause speech problems! OR, ‘eech-spa oblems-pray’… Om-fray illy-Bay a-Ray, uper-Say iter-Wray!]
PS: ot-Gay eye-may asters-May in-lay ig-Pay atin-Lay!
appy-Hay Easter-lay!
LikeLike
Easter-lay was many years ago. 😁 Thanks Billy. Happy Easter to you.
LikeLike
What is it about dishwashers that attracts dogs?? Sully seems to think ours was invented and installed just for him. Actually, it’s kind of cute right now while he’s small, but one day, he’s going to be an adult and liable to break the door! Nicely handled, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! Poor Trevor! 🥺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed. Thank you, Dishita. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Never saw that one coming. Hilarious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Craig.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! I loved the comment above from you stating that Lucy is a big DW fan. Our last dog Jake used to come over and lick the plates as I was loading them in the dishwasher. I used to joke with him and say, “Let’s not share this secret the next time we have company over for dinner.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is a joke about that somewhere. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL … hilarious, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Marie, 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful! 👏🏽
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Linda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! Well done, John!
LikeLike
Poor Trevor, can’t catch a break. Oh well, at least there’s chow time. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I first worked on animal mechanical cohesion through genetic and biological capability, It came easy, snails and slugs are easily compatible, combining large DNA loops, growing genetic material that combines connectivity with electrical impulses was also easy, after all our brain is a hardwired connection of electrically discharged synapses.
But connect the biological, the electrical, with the mechanical is the work of Magic.
Years and years and years of study until I achieved that genetic/biological growth, a lifetime of work.
Cats were of no use to me, the brain small the natural impulse to hunt strong, but dogs, dogs were the thing. Dogs had become entwined with humanity, programmed to please, bred to suit our purpose. Companionship, guiding the blind, searching out the unruly, the evil the drug dealers.
It took little thought but a great deal of science to remove the dogs head whilst maintaining it’s natural instincts. No longer do we have to measure the time the dishwasher takes, Rover does that for us.Rex checks out the washing machine and Fido the microwave. Welcome to the future my friends. Headless dogs will replace Alexa, Siri, and OK google in the very near future. Have you bought a headless dog? You will soon.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great short story, Ray. I have not found a headless dog on Amazon. I’ll keep looking though. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know, it was a pretty crap story,
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wouln’t call it crap. Avant garde maybe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] After all by John W. Howell © 2021 […]
LikeLike
Interesting story..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the visit and comment, Joyce.
LikeLike