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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook
Click on the Frog to join the Festivities!
Due to my scheduling error, this has gone live on Tuesday instead of Wednesday. Consider it a Christmas or Hanukkah present. Easier to leave it than take it down and start over. Oops. 
Shalom,
Rochelle
Happy Holidays to those who celebrate! This week I’m taking a break and posting a retread from nearly six years ago. Some may recognize the story. (different photo) A special thank you to those who have been with Friday Fictioneers as long or longer than I.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
A SOLDIER OF THE GREAT WAR
In 1918 Dad deployed to France singing “Over There” and returned, months later, a sullen shell.
Then, for Christmas 1919, Grandma gave me a stub-tailed, bull-terrier puppy.
Instead of the “you-can’t-keep-it” snarl I expected, Dad grinned.
“He’s the spittin’ image of the bravest soldier in the 102nd. Bullets and mustard gas couldn’t defeat him.”
“He looked like a dog?”
“Not ‘looked like,’ son. I’d a never made it outta the trenches if that pooch hadn’t…”
Dad coughed and blinked, took my pup under one arm, straightened to attention and raised his hand-hook to his brow.
“Sergeant Stubby, I salute you!”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
It’s amazing to think that six years ago is still before my time with Friday Fictioneers. Good one Rochelle and festive greetings
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Dear Neil,
I’m glad you joined and came to stay. How long have you been with us? Thank you.
Shalom and Happy Christmas to you,
Rochelle
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My first post was in 2016
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😀
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First, thanks for posting this week’s prompt a day early. I was wondering where I was going to find time to write tomorrow 🙂
Second, I absolutely love this heartwarming story. War is hell, there is no doubt. If even one good story can come out of it, that helps relieve the sadness for the survivors, then that’s a good thing.
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Dear Linda,
I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. It wasn’t my intent to post a day early. I schedule ahead and obviously hit the wrong date. No one was more surprised than I when first thing this morning I was met with “your scheduled post has been published.” Much easier to add a note of explanation than take it down and start over.
Sgt. Stubby was an adorable war hero, wasn’t he? Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom and Merry Christmas,
Rochelle
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Man and Dog relationships have changed events and people since they first became friends as opposed to foes. Phenomenal stories continue to come to light of their invaluable partnership. Thanks for giving us another glimpse of a 4 legged hero. Great story.
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Dear Jan,
There are some dogs who have a sixth sense about them, aren’t there? I think Ginger’s only sense was to eat, sleep and bark. But then there was our Butch. 😉 Thank you, m’luv.
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Wow ! I got it. What a story, a vision, a memory.
Well done.
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Thank you, Evelyn. 😀
Shalom and Merry Christmas,
Rochelle
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Oh, I wanted to ❤ (heart) that one! A beautiful story!
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Thank you so much, Bear. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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God bless ’em all. Btw, I like your Christmas frog.
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Dear Genie,
God bless them indeed. A few of us are having fun with froggie. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A delightful tale to start my Christmas Day! Seasons Greeting Rochelle.
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Dear Keith,
So glad you enjoyed the story. Enjoy the rest of your Christmas day. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Message from my friend Eros:
Woof, woof, m’lady, woof, woof, woof!
(That is canine for ‘Shucks, twarn’t nothin’, m’lady, jest doin’ ma job’)
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Dear CE,
Woof woof to Eros which translated means “Many thanks and a scritching behind your ears.” Thank you, kind sir.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle, for this timely prompt – for it is during these times the loss is often more poignant for so many. Here’s my contribution, also left on the X-mas Froggy.
https://naamayehuda.com/2019/12/25/the-great-loss/
Na’ama
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Thank you for your kind words, Na’ama.
Shalom and holiday memories of those who’ve gone before us.
Rochelle
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Amen to that!
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I’ve read about Sergeant Stubby before. Dogs are amazing creatures. Domesticating them was one of the few things humanity actually got right. I had one curled up on my lap (<— That one!) until he was lured away with the promise of treats.
Happy holidays!
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Dear Nobbin,
One of my favorite (fictitious) dogs is one of my characters in two of my novels. She’s a Cocker Spaniel who has appointed herself guide dog to a blind toddler. in 1905. My blind friend totally validated the characters even though a beta reader informed me that guide dogs weren’t used until the 1940’s. He seemed to have missed the part about the dog appointing herself.
I miss having a furry companion but we’re just not in a position to be owned by one. I do melt before a pair of brown eyes and a black nose. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I always seem to work family pets into my stories. Charlie, the one with the stick in her mouth and the Santa suit, is a major character in my sci-Fi series, The L Squad. I started my blog to get people interested in that story in hopes of getting it published.
My roommmate breeds Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Right now, there are four in the house. Charlie, the matriarch, two of her babies, who are full-grown now, and one tiny one, the next wave of breeder. I love them all, but there are times I’m jealous of people with no dogs, like trying to house-train this puppy who has already peed in the house twice today.
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Dear Rochelle,
What a perfect story for this time of year. Repeat or not (but not to me 😉 ) it was a wonderful one!
Shalom and lotsa holiday love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
It was a favorite one of mine, too. I’m glad you enjoyed it, too. Here’s a link to the original post. I’m sure you’ll understand why I used a different prompt this time. 😉 https://rochellewisoff.com/2014/01/01/3-january-2014/
Shalom and lotsa hugs for the coming year,
Rochelle
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Salute the heroes.
Their sacrifice means a lot.
Christmas wishes, Rochelle! Have a great year!
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Dear Anita,
Yes, the heroes do deserve the tribute. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story – there were many such unsung heroes, even if ‘all’ they did was raise morale.
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Dear Liz,
Canines are wonderful when it comes to raising morale. Thank you and Happy holidays.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a wonderful story about post-war trauma. I’m sure the men and women in any war seek comfort wherever they can get it.
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Dear Lish,
They used to call it shell shock, now that call it PTSD…same disorder..different wars. All of them are horrible. Thank you re my story. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh wow, what a story. I’d love to hear more about this pooch. ! This one made me smile. Happy holidays, Rochelle
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Dear Laurie,
I guess Sgt. Stubby was one little hero. Glad you enjoyed. Thank you.
Happy holidays,
Rochelle
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what a dog! i’m saying in the most positive way. it’s a story that warms the heart.
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Dear Plaridel,
He was quite a dog. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Any easing of the burden carried by those who return from war is welcome. Well written, Rochelle.
Shalom
Penny
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Dear Penny,
I love the new wave of service dogs in our time. Although dogs have been doing man a service for thousands of years, haven’t they? Thank you for your kind comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A non entry inspired by Ali’s
https://pollymermaid.wordpress.com/2019/12/26/rapid-rhyme-20/#comments
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If I’d noticed it was a day early I wouldn’t have been a day late 🙂
Great story, I’m glad the doggy brought back more positive memories for Dad.
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Dear Ali,
Pobody’s nerfect. It really was unintentional but seemed to work out well for some. As you can see we are at an all time low for Friday Fictioneers. I’m hoping it’s just the holidays and things will soon pick up. Thank you re my story and for participating this week. Hope the holidays are being splendid for you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Just the holidays I’m sure. Even I was a day late which is unusual, but I had no time to post on Christmas Day. But Boxing Day is a holiday too so that worked out okay 🙂
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What a lovely heart-warming story. I’m a sucker for a dog story, desopite being a cat-owner. There’s nothing a dog can’t make better.
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Dear Sandra,
I’ve had both cats and dogs. There’s something about a dog. I miss having one but I don’t feel I would be a good ‘parent’. I do enjoy my brother’s furry kids when I visit him. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy Holidays, Rochelle. I’m sorry I’m so late. This was a lovely story. Good writing as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
And now i’m the late one in replying. It looks like the holidays have been busy for everyone, judging from the turnout for Friday Fictioneers. Thank you for you kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love this! Dogs also serve and should be remembered.
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Dear Sascha,
Dogs love unconditionally, don’t they? Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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They do, Rochelle. Happy New Year!
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