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 Watch by John W. Howell © 2021
“How do you know?”
“I’m telling you I smelled the shampoo.”
“How can you smell shampoo when it’s not been used?”
“Come on. You know as well as I do that stuff can leave an olfactory trace that can be picked up for miles.”
“Yes, but mom isn’t even home.”
“Which makes our situation all the more precarious.”
“So you think this back-to-back watch scenario is going to help?”
“Look. If we spot the old man coming out of the kitchen door with some sad excuse of a treat, you know he’s got a bath on the brain. I just think early warned is early armed.”
“So, what are we going to do?”
“When we spot him, we run like hell.”
“That’s not very dignified.”
“Who cares? It keeps the suds out of our eyes.”
“Look, here he comes.”
“Treat?”
“Yup. A piece of turkey.”
“Turkey, you sure. Let me look. Damn, you are right. It’s turkey.”
“What does it mean.”
“Worse than I thought.”
“Tell me.”
“A trip to the vet. Let’s take off.”
“Maybe it’s not.”
“Don’t be a fool. If he was holding that pathetic bacon treat bag, it’s a bath. Turkey is a full-on vet trip.”
“Where should we go?”
“I saw something on the path. It’s drawing flies, so a good place to roll. He won’t come near us then.”
“But that will beg a bath.”
“Which would you rather have? Vet or bath.”
“Let’s go.”
Fiction Favorites 
That’s a tough choice. Soap in the eyes and lose all that nice smell or a thermometer up the bum, injections – and maybe come back deficient a few more in the dental division.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes the dental detail takes it’s toll. Thanks, Keith.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think those of us who have older dogs have been through it all too often.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m beginning to wonder about poor Lucy. She loses a few with each visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean. Trevor is down to canines and molars and Eos is headed the same way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Decisions, decisions. Hope they don’t get both.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That woud be an injustice for sure. 😁
LikeLike
LOL! The lesser of two evils.
It always amazes me the scenarios you come up with from these photo prompts, John. Another great story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thak you, Mae. You sure know how to make my day. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Just run! Great job, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jill. 😁
LikeLike
Clever pups. They know the bribes. I find their choice funny… my son would have said “pathetic turkey” and salivated over the bacon. Then again, he’d agree that a shower is preferable to a trip to the doctor.
Funny stuff, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Staci. I can’t imagine a dog liking those phony bacon thingys. Real turkey? Now there’s a treat,
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, you’ve got me there. Facon is far different from bacon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
All your years of raising/caring for/enjoying pups have paid off with this post, John. 😂 Loved it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Gwen. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good one, John. They do know what’s coming don the pike. Still, you’d think they stay for turkey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess it is an approach/avoidence situation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cracks me up. Sounds like they have it all figured out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks that way. Thanks, Craig.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can’t fool them, none! Love this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dale.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is just hilarious!! I’d share it with my dog, but he never learned to read. 😀 :D:D
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha. Thanks, Liz
LikeLike
You’re really good at channeling your inner canine, John, lol. This is perfect.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Teri. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like dogs, but they sometimes have some disturbing behaviors. They probably do think the same of we humans. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure they do. Thanks, Tim
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s being dogmatic 😂🤣😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣 Thanks, Chris.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha! I can see the minds working!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Grinding away. Thanks, Pamela. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Are we coming or going, dude?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha. Good one, Norman. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor pups, having to make a decision like that! You’ve captured their thoughts well, John. Let’s hope the “smelly thing on the sidewalk” isn’t something that’ll land them in the bath AND the vet’s office!
LikeLiked by 1 person
True enough, Debbie. A bath is one thing but a trip to the big V is quite another.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I owned a dog who never fell for the bath treat. Tango loved to eat, but he was an intelligent dog, and his dislike of baths trumped his food desire. Great job on this prompt, John!
LikeLike
They definitely can smell shampoo meant for them and the vet…they sure know!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
LikeLike
Animals can be phiosophers too. 😉 Nice written, John! xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michael.
LikeLike
John, you’re too much!! 🤣
Mine landed on, “Fido, I’m telling we turn right to go home.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. Good use of the photo. Thanks, GP.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These two know their business. Vet is always worst case scenario.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love it:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Becky. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my! This is nothing short of brilliant, John! You certainly know how dogs think. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jan
LikeLike
How very true. That vet terror is to be avoided at all costs
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLike
Love this, John, and what a choice to make. Copper doesn’t like either one. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t blame Copper at all.
LikeLike
Why do we always underestimate them. They run rings round us.
Hugs
LikeLike
So true, David. Hugs
LikeLike
Haha! Fun take on the prompt, John. Big hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Teagan
LikeLike
Hahaha! Only a dog lover truly understands.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, indeed. Thank you, Jennie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, John.
LikeLiked by 2 people
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! Those are smart dogs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are. Thanks, Deborah
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, those critters have a sixth sense when it comes to a bath or the vet.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They do for sure. Thanks, Mark.
LikeLiked by 2 people
[…] The Watch by John W. Howell © 2021 […]
LikeLiked by 1 person