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 your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before Sunday evening UK time. 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 time.”
The photo.
Try Again by John W. Howell ยฉ 2022
“Whoa. That was hard.”
“Tell me why you’re doing this again?”
“Doing what?”
“Going underwater and holding your breath.”
“I thought you understood.”
“I guess the logic of the whole thing kinda slipped away seeing you sputter and cough.”
“You know Two Legs has this passion for hunting.”
“Yeah. Seems dumb, but yeah, I know.”
“Well, he has decided to go after waterfowl.”
“I did not know that. So you are in training to be a retriever?”
“No, not exactly.”
“So what then?”
“You and I are both on the side of protecting the species, right?”
“Of course. Leave that work up to Two Legs, and we all are lost.”
“Exactly. So I’m actually in training to be a bird warden.”
“Bird warden. What the heck is that?”
“When old Two Legs goes hunting, I’m going to be the underwater warning system for the birds.”
“Huh?”
“I’m going to swim to where they are and let them know Two Legs has a gun.”
“So you will be out of sight the whole time?”
“Now you got it.”
“How long do you think you will need to stay underwater?”
“Well, the distance to the birds will mean I’ve got to stay under for four or more minutes.”
“Where are you now?”
“You saw me.”
“Ten seconds? You are at ten seconds?”
“We have to start someplace.”
“There will not be a bird left by the time you get to four minutes.”
“Maybe you are right. Change of plan then.”
“What?”
“I’ll bite him.”
“I’ll bet between he and his gun that will work once.”
“Yeah, let me think a little.”
“I would say you are thinking as little as possible right now.”
“Spoiled sport.”
“Nitwit.”
Fiction Favorites 
Good one, John! I love the photo!
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Thanks , Jill. ๐
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One bite in the right place should at least slow old two-legs down a bit! Nice one, John.
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Ha ha ha. Of course would old two legs even notice?
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Tune in for the next episode where a well time dry off the fur shake undoes two legs’ shot. When you are thinking on your feet four paws have the edge over two legs any day.
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Excellent point, John. I wonder if they think in terms of three claws.
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That’s a lead in to a wing and or beak line. One that requires another dose of coffee…
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Take your time.
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Love it (as usual). haha
I saw the picture and all I could think of was, “Bacon!” (The beggin’ strips commercial)
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Good one, GP. That would bring a dog out of the water for sure. Thanks.
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Maybe he could use a snorkel.
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I do love a story that ends with childish name-calling!
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Me too. (obviously) ๐
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Heh heh.
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๐
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The anti-hunting dog. It could become a whole new category at Westminster.
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Haha! I knew this would be good, John. But the conversation didn’t go as expected. Thanks for this fun. Hugs on the wing.
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Thank you, Teagan. I’m glad you liked it. I would be disappointed if the conversation went as you expected. ๐
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A dog who thinks stopping a hunter will save the waterfowl population? Imagination without boundaries. ๐
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Also not much thinking since the dog is sure to cause the flock to hit the sky which the hunter would like.
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Hadn’t thought of that. ๐
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Neither did he. ๐คฃ
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โI would say you are thinking as little as possible right now.โ Ha! Love it.
Great work, John.
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Thanks, Staci. Glad you liked it. ๐
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I haven’t heard “nitwit” for ages. Lots of laughs, John. Have a great day. ๐
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Thanks, Gwen. My favorite mutter when cut off on the highway. Have a great day too. ๐ค
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Laughing out loud for real, John! A bird warden. Buuuuaaaaawwwwwaaaahhhh!!!! Too good!
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Thanks, Jan. I’m glad you liked it.
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Nice idea, Doggie, but you need to work on the execution. I mean, really, would you trust Two Legs not to hit you with that gun if you were underwater for five whole minutes?!?
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The plan has a few holes. Thanks, Debbie.
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LOL!! I think he might want to rethink that bit about biting if Two Legs has a gun. ๐คฃ๐ฎ
The image is cute and made me smile too.
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yes that would be wise. Thanks, Deborah.
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๐
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A bite would definitely get two legs attention. Fun John ๐
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Thank you, Denise.
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It does sound like the entire underwater warning system needs to go back to the drawing board and be reworked. That may take a bit longer than four or more minutes…
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Yeah, he needs to go back and figure this out. Thanks, Bruce.
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I wonder if dogs occasionally think this way. What a joyous photo! It does my heart good to see a dog enjoying himself.
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Yes it does. Thanks, Pete.
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Hahaha. Love the dog perspective.
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It is a good perspective for sure.
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Always!
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๐
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โI would say you are thinking as little as possible right now.โ I love it! Good job, John.
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Thank you, Dan
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What a cute photo and thanks for the smiles, John. Loved this!
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Thank you, Lauren.
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Haha! Love the face on the dog. I think he should just do what he is doing and splash around. No way the hunter can see beyond the splash ๐
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So true. Of course, you are the one with a pool.
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Ah yes… to my dismay…
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Pools are hard. I vowed never again when I had one in 2000. I have kept my vow.
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I am SO mad at myself for taking this house…
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You are there now. Maybe time to draw up a plan to find another.
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Nope… The plans are drawn. The top floor is being gutted, a wall is coming down, new floors are being put in, new kitchen, new bathroom… It all starts around September 15. I have SO much work to do in preparation!
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Take before, during, and after photos.
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Will do!
And if you’re lucky, I’ll even share ๐
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Brat. ๐
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Haha!
That’s twice today I am called a brat!
๐
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Must be from folks who love you.
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Awww… You might be right at that ๐
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Speaking for myself for sure.
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Oh you sweet talker, you! ๐
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Yes indeed.
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[…] Try Again by John W. Howell ยฉ 2022 […]
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