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.
Elected Representative by John W. Howell © 2020
“Okay, guys. Settle down. Let me do the talking.”
“Sure. Whatever you say. You are the biggest after all.”
“Darned right and the smartest.”
“Cut the chin music and tell the man our demands.”
“Boy, you sure cut to the chase, don’t you.”
“Look, we elected you to the position of steward now tell that oaf how things are going to be.”
“Okay, okay. Hey, you, man. Listen up.”
“Doesn’t look like he understands you. I thought you said you could speak human.”
“I didn’t say I could speak human. I said I can get humans to understand what I want.”
“Well, I would concentrate on that then. I can tell you we have had enough of the miserable treatment around here.”
“You never told me about miserable treatment.”
“You’re kidding. You live with humans. Wait, don’t tell me you are one of those fawning pups who flops on its back for a tummy scratch.”
“Well, I —”
“Say no more. You are an imposter. Never peed behind the couch, I’ll wager.”
“That is so wrong on many levels.”
“Chewed a new pair of shoes?”
“Of course not. What do you think I am an animal?”.
“Dug up a newly sodded lawn?”
“I think you have the wrong representative. You need a cur like yourselves.”
“No matter. We elected you, and you need to bring some organization to this life.”
“What is it you want?”
“Steak bones with meat on em for one. I’m sick of kibble.”
“That sounds a little unreasonable. What else.”
“A damn dog door. I’m sick and tired of having to repeat my request to go outside umpty ump times.”
“Don’t you just whine like everyone else.”
“Yeah, but then I have to scratch on the door maybe a hundred times.”
“Okay, well, this one seems reasonable. Anything else?”
“I think that will do it.”
“Okay. Hey man, listen up. Dog door, steak bones with meat. You got that?”
“What did he say.”
“He’ll get back to you on that.”
“Sounded like ‘good dog,’ to me.”
“Same thing. Now excuse me. The man and I need to go have lunch.”
“What? You are breaking bread with the enemy. Why can’t we go too.”
“I’ll have my person call your person. We’ll make a meeting.”
“You sound like a politician.”
“Of the doggies, by the doggies, for the doggies. See ya.”
