8 May 2015

Published May 6, 2015 by rochellewisoff

The disc and the dragonfly

FIC

FF copyright banner finalThe next photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. It’s an oldie but a goodie. To a handful of you it will be familiar. 

PHOTO PROMPT – © Madison Woods

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A couple of weeks ago I wrote an unstory that I titled THE ULTIMATE COP OUT, this week I’m simply copping out by posting a rerun. With proofing, illustrating and a second novel coming out on the heels of the first, life is a busy proposition. (And there’s the full time job thing.) For most of you this is a new prompt. For those who have written a story for it, feel free to share it or write another, or take a week’s vacation. 😉

The following story is one of my husband Jan’s favorite of my flash fictions. I originally posted this on July 25,2012 when Madison Woods was still leading the pack. Since then our numbers have nearly tripled. 

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Genre: Realistic Fiction

Word Count: 97

SNARL

            “Nice doggie,” whispered Jolie.

            Huddled against the fence she faced a mouthful of Pit Bull teeth. Which would be worse—the whipping she’d get for losing Grandma’s ring or to be eaten alive by a junkyard dog?

A few inches from the behemoth’s haunch, moonlight glinted off the sapphire. With her eyes fixed on his, she slid her hand toward the ring, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

            But he snapped to his feet with a roaring bark and lunged.

            Her heart thrashed against her ribs.

            In one ferocious bite the Copperhead skulking toward her met a grisly fate. 

ORIGINAL POST

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.PSK CoverAvailable from W&B Publishers

98 comments on “8 May 2015”

  • Great story, Rochelle. I didn’t read it the first time around so it’s new to me. I could see the dog’s teeth. I had a large dog pin me against a wall one time, paw on each side of my head. I was afraid and he knew it. That was after the owner told me he wouldn’t hurt me. Easy for her to say. Well done as always. 🙂 — Suzanne

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    • Dear Suzanne,

      If you click on the original post you’ll see that only a handful of the present FF’rs were there. So I was counting on the fact that this is a new story and prompt for many. It still remains my husband’s favorite and it’s fun for me to look back.

      It was a collie that got me over my fear of dogs when I was six. Up until then I was terrified of them. I had to walk home from my babysitter’s house one icy afternoon. It was only a block then but when you’re a tiny six-year-old…Sarge, the collie in question, followed me. When I ran, he ran, caught up to me, knocked me down on the ice and gave my face a tongue-washing I’ll never forget. From that day forward we were fast friends and I fell in love with dogs. True story.

      Thank you for coming by.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

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    • Dear Jessie,

      I believe Pit Bulls are among the most misunderstood dogs. For my money, if I were in the market for a dog, it would be a Pit.

      Thank you for commenting on my story and for the well wishes. 😀

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

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  • As I’m new to this game, this is a first-time read for me too! What a fabulous story!

    As for the collie story, that is wonderful as well. My sister was petrified of dogs and it used to take her a half-hour to walk to school (2 blocks) because she spent her time taking one step, looking all around, take one step… only when we got a small dog as a pet did her fear disappear completely!

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    • Dear Dale,

      I think I could’ve just posted this without saying it was a repeat, but there are still a handful of original FF’rs left. 😉 I’m glad you enjoyed the story. It was fun to write it.

      I’m glad you’ve joined us and thank you for such a nice comment.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

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  • Thanks for not making the pit bull a bad dog. You know my love for these mostly loveable dogs, so I won’t say much more than most of the ones that are bad are that way because of the humans that have them. End of sermon. 🙂

    janet

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    • Dear Patrick,

      I’m not an expert on the pit bulls but I do believe they’ve gotten a bum rap. It seems to me the owners are more to blame. But we can certainly agree to disagree.

      I’m glad you liked my story in any case. 😉

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

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  • As Rochelle stated, this is one of my favorite Flash Fiction stories. I was in awe at the imagery she conjured up in so few words. I grew up in a poor, bad, neighborhood and there were many “junkyard dogs” on the loose there. As I began reading the story, I saw flashes of old memories. The ending raised hairs on my arms. I loved the story then, and I still do. Great job m’luv.

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Dear Rochelle

    I love the story, although was convinced the dog was about to tear her to shreds until he didn’t. So good to read about a heroic pit bull, as I’m sure there are some decent ones out there. A lot of it’s down to the owners. Unfortunately, this particular breed is often owned by people who are full of swagger and aggression, and who don’t socialise their dogs in the right way.

    So exciting about your book.

    All best wishes
    Sarah

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    • Dear Sarah,

      As I’ve said before, the pit bull has gotten a bum rap. Janet, Sustainabilitea, is the champion for the breed. She has many stories to tell.

      Glad you liked my story. It’s still in my top ten favorites in my three years of FF. I’m excited about the book, too…among other emotions. 😉

      Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

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      • Dear Rochelle
        I love dog stories. My chocolate Labrador, Alma, has many stories to tell, as did her predecessor, and all of the Basset Hounds in my childhood, as I was raised by a dog-breeder mother.
        One of my novels, which I hope to publish one day, is a children’s story all about dogs of a most interesting kind. My 13-year-old granddaughter has just offered to beta read it for me.
        You must be so excited about your book, which is obviously very close to your heart.
        All best wishes
        Sarah

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  • Dear Rochelle,
    what a wonderful story. I wasn’t fond of pit bulls in the past, because they had so much bad press, but I learned a lot more about them in recent years, and find that they can be wonderful dogs. All dogs will bite under certain circumstances, and all big dogs can do severe harm. Mostly it’s the owners fault when bad things happen. But I digress, your story such a great ending. This dog will be loved in the future, I’m sure.

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  • I have found that dogs have unique personalities and its heavily influenced by the humans artound it and how they are treated. So a Pit bull can be raised to be friendly/protective etc.

    Nice twist at the end there. I wasn’t expecting.

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    • Dear Marie Gail,

      I think no matter how many flash fictions I write, this one will always be Jan’s favorite. It’s one of mine as well. I believe there’s only a handful of FF’rs who wrote for or remember this prompt. Perhaps I’ll recycle my whole first year. ;).

      Glad you liked it and glad you’re a part of us now.

      Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

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  • Whew! Tension, thy name is Rochelle!!! I was hanging on by a thin thread, and then you rescued us. I do love doggies of all kinds, and I’m so glad this guy was true to the motto ‘man’s best friend.’ (A little sorry for the snake though.)

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        • Dear Joseph.

          I’m sure of that. At present I’m getting up in the wee hours before work just to write and take care of things pertaining to publishing. Another author friend of mine retired and last year and says he doesn’t know how he ever had time for a full time job. l
          Meanwhile I keep a running countdown of actual working days. 😉

          Thank you for paddling by.

          Shalom,

          Rochelle

          Liked by 1 person

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  • Hurray! I don’t think I read this one first time around, certainly I can’t remember it if I did, so it was just as much a treat for me as a ‘new’ story. And you’re definitely allowed to take a breather from writing FF while you juggle all those other balls.
    Loved the twist (I bet this was back in the days when a twist was a twist too!) and the lesson about not judging that goes along with it. I think Grandma will be at least as happy to have the narrator back and the ring.

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    • Dear Jen,

      This was from my first three months of doing FF. I hadn’t quite gotten the hang of replying to comments and reciprocating. I’m pleased that it’s a new treat for you. 😉 I was very much into the twist at the end then.

      It has definitely been a challenge lately and I find myself looking forward to retirement so I can apply myself to my true career.

      Glad to have given you a bit of a respite, too.

      Thank you for sticking around all t his time.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

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    • Dear Alicia,

      I think if I’m ever in the market for a dog again, it will be a pit. From everything I’ve seen and heard these dogs have been given a bum rap.

      Glad you liked my story. Thank you for reading.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

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  • As usual, an unusual story, Rochelle! Great ending! Pretty dramatic build-up! I’m so happy for you in re: your new book getting published. Congratulations!
    And I’m back! I’ve posted a story to inLinkz.
    Thanks, as always, for hosting!

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  • This is a new prompt and story for me, and I am glad the Pit Bull turned out to be kind. Good luck with your new book and the future!

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    • Dear Francesca,

      This prompt is a new one for quite a few. I might recycle a few more stories and prompts from time to time as this could be a busy summer. 😉

      Thank you for your kind comments and wishes.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

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  • Rochelle,
    great story. I like it when ferocious things turn out to be benevolent after all. This picture was a few months before my time but that was a while ago, wasn’t it? How time flies. 🙂
    -David

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    • Dear David,

      You’re one of the ones who seem to have always been a Friday Fictioneer but I’m thinking you came in after I’d taken over for Madison. I started in April 2012 and by the end of October I took the driver’s seat. Strange how things work out, isn’t it? It all runs together after all this time.

      Glad you liked my story. It’s still one of my favorites. Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

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  • Dear Rochelle,
    You had me on the edge of my seat with this one. I could see that pit bull and I know what their bite is like. I could feel Granny’s hurt at the loss of her ring and the girl’s fear – what was worse the whipping or the dog? The whipping won and the dog lunged and the fear turned to terror. Then that wonderful twist. The nice doggy saved her from the snake. I think you had me experience almost every imaginable emotion possible with this one. Glad you repeated it.
    Cheers Irene

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  • I don’t remember your story from first time around, but I certainly remember the photo. Such a great piece of flash – you brought her and us back from the brink there right at the end.

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    • Dear Ali,

      We were doing well to get to twenty back then and I was pretty much the new kid on the block myself. It’s fun to visit the oldies from time to time, especially when there are so many of us now.

      Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

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  • Good doggie! Doggie saves the day. Great story that took me by surprise. This predates me by about a month or two?? So, new to me! Good luck on your edits and congrats with the new books! I’m so thrilled for you.

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  • Dear Amy,

    It would be interesting to take a poll and see just when everyone started with FF. There are few of the “originals” left. Sandra Crook, Claire, Doug, Russell, Perry and Jennifer (Elmo) are pretty much it as far as those who were here before me. I’ve seen a few favorites come and go and then I have settle on new favorites. 😉 Thank you for sticking around and being one of them.

    Thank you for your kind words.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    • Dear Samantha,

      I think this story predates a good 90% of the current Friday Fictioneers. 😉 Then there are those like Sandra, Russell and Doug who were here before I came aboard.

      Glad you liked my story. It’s one of my favorites even after three years.

      Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

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    • Dear Sandra,

      I’m pleased that you liked my story enough to comment on it a second time. 😉 Hm…maybe I should post a few more reruns…

      Thank you, my friend. It means a lot to me that you’re still here as one of the pillars of FF.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

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  • I remember this one, it reminds me of the movie Sandlot and the monster beyond the fence. Speaking of copperheads, did you see the one Beth Carter posted on Facebook the other day? It was huge. I’m glad the one in your story met a grizzly fate.

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    • Dear Russell,

      I think I did see that copperhead. I wouldn’t want to see one in person. I’m not a big snake fan. To be honest, I had Sandlot in mind when I wrote this way back when.

      Haha I made you comment on it twice. 😉 Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

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