Tuesday – Anything Possible Kreative Kue #434 by Keith Channing

June 4, 2024 · by John W. Howell · in Prompt · 77 Comments

In Keith’s words.

“Using this image (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really. Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before the end of the week. 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. Thank you for taking part.”

Link to Keith’s post. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2024/06/03/kreative-kue-434/

The photo.

“Hey Trevor. What do you have?”

“I found him in the woods.”

“He looks a little worse for the wear.”

“I know. I thought you could take a look and see what’s needed.”

“I’d be happy to do that. Put him down here.”

“Before I do, you have to know he is a stuffed toy.”

“I’m so glad you told me that. I thought for a minute he was a live elephant.”

“Okay, I catch the sarcasm. I just didn’t want you to think it was me who made him worse for the wear.”

“You? How would I ever think you would do such a thing?”

“Dark sarcasm in the classroom.”

“Okay, just set him down and let me have a look.”

“Here.”

“Hmm. It doesn’t look too bad.”

“What do you mean too bad?”

“There is a little tear that needs fixing and he could do with a bath.”

“Okay. Will that be all?”

“I think so. Let me palpitate him to see if there is anything we can’t see.”

“What’s that noise?”

“Sounds like a squeaker.”

“A squeaker? We need to get that out.”

“Yes, I’ll remove it so you don’t have to tear the poor thing apart.”

“Squeakers, give me the willies.”

“They aren’t good for dogs if swallowed.”

“Are you sure you can do it?”

“I’m a doctor, for heaven’s sake. Of course, I can do it. There it is out. Now let me stitch him back up.”

“Oh, doctor, I’m so grateful.”

“Save it, Trevor. There are no cameras here. There, your friend is ready for a bath.”

“Do we really have to do that?”

“If you want him to come inside, we do. While we are at it, you are pretty ripe as well.”

“On second thought he can be an outside toy. See ya. Thanks.”

Tags: author, books, Circumstances of Childhood, Eternal Road - The final stop, fiction favorites, His Revenge, John W. Howell Author, Keith Channing, Kreative Kue, My GRL, Our Justice, The Contract with Gwen Plano, The Last Drive, Writing Prompt

77 comments

Keith Edgar Channing · June 4, 2024 - 4:16 am ·

Thanks, John. Trevor always had a thing about squeakers (see youtu(dot)be(slash)us4eSYDSjog?si=4UGa0AVfPH3Cp_uX and youtu(dot)be(slash)VKbytH5Xyk8?si=eQp-gLTmPN-2i6XN). He destroyed many, but Ulysse was never impressed.

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 6:48 am ·
  
  I can’t get these addresses to work. Glad the story worked.
  
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Dan Antion · June 4, 2024 - 4:35 am ·

The squeaker has to come out. That’s the whole point of a stuffed toy.

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 6:49 am ·
  
  I always worry if I can’t find it. Thanks, Dan
  
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Dale · June 4, 2024 - 5:50 am ·

Aww… Thank goodness the squeaker was found before he was sewn up. I can’t stand those things, either.

Now about that bath… where ya goin’ Trevor? If it’s not now, it’ll be later….

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 6:50 am ·
  
  Yup. At some point the bath reaper will take it’s toll. Thanks, Dale.
  
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  1. Dale · June 4, 2024 - 7:29 am ·
    
    That it will!! Might as well get it over with sooner, than later (thought they never really do get that concept, do they?)
    
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    1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 9:35 am ·
      
      Since they live in the moment there seems to be good reason to fight the bath as long as possible. 😁
      
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    2. Dale · June 4, 2024 - 10:05 am ·
      
      Can you blame them? They may not get the same pleasure as we do to stand under a shower of warm water…
      
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    3. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 10:46 am ·
      
      I can’t blame them. Must be a pain in the butt to get wet.
      
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    4. Dale · June 4, 2024 - 10:51 am ·
      
      Some dogs love it. Zeke loved going into lakes and oceans… did not love getting a bath, though. What up with that?
      
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    5. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 10:57 am ·
      
      Who knows?
      
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    6. Dale · June 4, 2024 - 11:09 am ·
      
      🤷🏻‍♀️
      
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Cindy Georgakas · June 4, 2024 - 6:23 am ·

Good it’s out! Last thing you want is a longed squeaker in Trevor! 🩷

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 7:00 am ·
  
  I agree, Cindy. Thank you. 😁
  
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  1. Cindy Georgakas · June 4, 2024 - 7:16 am ·
    
    👍👍👍
    
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    1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 9:34 am ·
      
      😁
      
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coldhandboyack · June 4, 2024 - 6:29 am ·

Yup. The squeakers always have to come out. Mine seem to be pretty talented at that.

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 7:01 am ·
  
  Must be something like a gold mine mentality. Thanks, Craig.
  
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Charles Yallowitz · June 4, 2024 - 6:43 am ·

Smart dog.

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 7:01 am ·
  
  😁
  
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GP · June 4, 2024 - 6:46 am ·

No baths going on here! Cute story, John.

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 7:02 am ·
  
  Maybe he’ll head for your house. Thanks, GP.
  
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  1. GP · June 4, 2024 - 1:01 pm ·
    
    I meant in the story, no baths. Don’t send him here to me!!
    
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    1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 7:38 pm ·
      
      Ha ha ha
      
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T. W. Dittmer · June 4, 2024 - 6:49 am ·

Imaginative, John. Taking the squeaker out will make it a quiet toy. I guess that’s what they want.

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 7:03 am ·
  
  I can never understand the need to get that thing out. You may have hit on the reason. Thanks, Tim.
  
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lois · June 4, 2024 - 7:25 am ·

I love a snarky dog. Who’s a good boy, Trevor?!

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 9:35 am ·
  
  Thanks Miss Lois. I’m a good boy. 😊
  
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circadianreflections · June 4, 2024 - 7:45 am ·

LOL! Toys with squeakers didn’t last long at our house. Diva Dog would have the squeaker out in a matter of hours. She only had one toy she didn’t do that to her stuffed pig.

She wasn’t a fan of bath time either. 😊

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 9:37 am ·
  
  I think the reaction is universal. Thanks, Deborah. (both to baths and squeakers)
  
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  1. circadianreflections · June 4, 2024 - 11:27 am ·
    
    😊
    
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Liz Gauffreau · June 4, 2024 - 8:15 am ·

Nice Pink Floyd reference! The threat of a bath works every time, eh?

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 9:39 am ·
  
  Ha ha ha. Thanks, Liz.
  
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  1. Liz Gauffreau · June 4, 2024 - 1:36 pm ·
    
    You’re welcome, John.
    
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OIKOS™- Art, Books & more · June 4, 2024 - 8:58 am ·

What a nice story, and the little one has fun. You should try this with Tempeste too, John! 😉 Best wishes, Michael

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 9:40 am ·
  
  Thank you, Michael. Best wishes to you.
  
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  1. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more · June 4, 2024 - 10:28 am ·
    
    Thanks, John! Enjoy a nice week! xx Michael
    
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    1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 10:46 am ·
      
      You as well. 😁
      
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Debbie · June 4, 2024 - 9:18 am ·

I’m not sure the Monk would play with a toy if I removed the squeakers! Nevertheless, that’s a cute elephant Trevor found, and I’m glad he got it repaired. Monk says to tell him it’s really interesting to see your toys swinging on a clothesline after a bath … and they smell so fresh afterwards!

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 9:42 am ·
  
  I’m sure seeing the toys on a line would be a treat. Fresh smells? Not so sure about that. Took a while to get the down home rank scent in the toy. Thanks, Debbie.
  
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The Coastal Crone · June 4, 2024 - 9:37 am ·

Some toys are best left as outside toys. This one seems a bit too big for Twiggy and Tempeste.

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 9:43 am ·
  
  Yes. Tempeste has a lamb that is her size. She doesn’t play with it much. I think it is too big. Thanks, Jo.
  
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Kymber Hawke · June 4, 2024 - 10:40 am ·

That is so cute, I love it. Somehow I can believe it really happened. 😀

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 10:48 am ·
  
  I think you are right, Kymber
  
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D.L. Finn, Author · June 4, 2024 - 11:06 am ·

I’m glad they got that darn squeaker out. My lab used to be an expert at that. Smart pup quoting Pink Floyd, too 🙂

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 11:27 am ·
  
  Ha ha ha. Thanks, Denise.
  
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Gwen M. Plano · June 4, 2024 - 11:14 am ·

If I ever need a dog-whisperer, I know who to turn to. Your dialogues are amazing, John. 😄

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 6:06 pm ·
  
  😁
  
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2. John W. Howell · June 5, 2024 - 7:05 am ·
  
  Aw. Such a nice compliment, Gwen. Thank you.
  
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Bruce@WOTC · June 4, 2024 - 12:19 pm ·

That stuffie missed out on a bath, but I have a feeling Trevor is going to be taking one down the road regardless, John.

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 12:21 pm ·
  
  It does seem inevitable doesn’t it. Thanks Bruce.
  
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Darlene · June 4, 2024 - 1:13 pm ·

So cute. A perfect story for the prompt! Dot hates squeakers and we have to take them out before she will even consider playing with the toy.

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 3:34 pm ·
  
  She has good taste
  
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Sue Dreamwalker · June 4, 2024 - 4:25 pm ·

So pleased you got that Elephant All Squeaky Clean!… ‘Operation Elephant’ a success!… ❤ 🙂

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 6:07 pm ·
  
  Well we have not caught Trevor yet. But when we do…..
  
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  1. Sue Dreamwalker · June 5, 2024 - 2:22 am ·
    
    😀😂🤣
    
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    1. John W. Howell · June 5, 2024 - 7:07 am ·
      
      😁
      
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thomasstigwikman · June 4, 2024 - 5:40 pm ·

That is a fun short story. I’ve never considered the danger of squeekers. We have toys with and without squeekers.

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 6:08 pm ·
  
  We hate them since they are so easy to swallow
  
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petespringerauthor · June 4, 2024 - 7:48 pm ·

It might be time to find Twiggy and Tempest and go looking for pumas.

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1. John W. Howell · June 4, 2024 - 7:49 pm ·
  
  Good idea, Pete. 😁
  
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Anonymous · June 5, 2024 - 12:05 pm ·

I love this. I have a photo of one of my late beloved eskies with his fourth generation stuffy.

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1. John W. Howell · June 5, 2024 - 4:37 pm ·
  
  😁
  
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Jennie · June 5, 2024 - 7:49 pm ·

Trevor, that’s a perfect outside toy. A bath might mess him up.

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1. John W. Howell · June 5, 2024 - 8:03 pm ·
  
  Good advice, Jennie.
  
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Teagan Riordain Geneviene · June 5, 2024 - 9:43 pm ·

Haha! Great response to the prompt, John. Hugs.

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1. John W. Howell · June 6, 2024 - 6:44 am ·
  
  Thank you, Teagan. Hugs.
  
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Author Jan Sikes · June 6, 2024 - 11:36 am ·

Yep! The dreaded bath. He can be an outside toy. 🙂 Good one, John!

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1. John W. Howell · June 6, 2024 - 2:12 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Jan
  
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Sorryless · June 9, 2024 - 1:39 pm ·

I think I would practice social distancing with that outside toy. And props to Trevor for knowing his Pink Floyd.

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1. John W. Howell · June 9, 2024 - 2:06 pm ·
  
  Ha ha ha. The toy needs its own place.
  
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  1. Sorryless · June 10, 2024 - 6:01 am ·
    
    Yes it does.
    
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    1. John W. Howell · June 10, 2024 - 6:55 am ·
      
      Way out back.
      
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Julie Guillory · September 13, 2024 - 12:50 am ·

A lighthearted exchange between a vet and a playful dog owner, reminding us of the simple joys of childhood and the power of imagination.

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2024 - 6:50 am ·
  
  Thank you, Julie. I agree. 😁
  
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