My cat sat on the corner of my desk and watched me type. Every day for twelve years. Sometimes she’d tap my keyboard to correct my spelling. Today she wasn’t there. So I put a picture of her there instead. But the picture doesn’t spell any better than I do.
Michaele Jordan is the author of Mirror Maze. See more at michaelejordan.com.
The motivational speakers took the stage. The audience didn’t expect these founders of the phenomenally successful dog-training company, Sit Down!, to unveil a new venture. On command, their yellow lab, Connor, joined them at the microphone to explain, in an almost imperceptible canine accent, his handlers’ latest enterprise, Speak Up!
Susan Heisner, aka the wyowordslinger, writes for fun and connection.
My ghostly, white cat with his albino face summons the twilight by purring mantras.
As his sandpaper tongue spreads dirty paws wide, he erases the day and its adventures from his spongy, grass-stained pads,
ready to soak up tomorrow between the yawning hours, the minutes, and his tiny pink toes.
Patricia Pease worked as an actress for 35 years. Retired, she now writes full time.
You’ve been gone so long.
And now you’re back!
I missed you!
But you smell different,
And you look happy
Where did you go without me?
What is this?
I can’t believe you ran your hands through someone else’s fur.
My heart is broken.
You smell of next door’s cat!
Francesca Morrison is a born and bred Londoner now living in Vancouver. She recently came runner up in a Flash Fiction contest and was longlisted for the CANSCAIP 2022 Writing for Children Competition.
I am weightless. Untethered. The world and my memory of it fades away, and though time no longer exists, I know that I am waiting for someone.
Fractals of brilliant color burst, and she is there, running towards me.
I bury my face in her fur. Good girl, I whisper.
K. L. Mill is a voice actor, another profession that revolves around words. Most recently her work has been published by Black Hare Press, Hungry Shadow Press, and Atomic Carnival.
The vet said to put Old Tom down. The man, not ready to let go, took him hunting one last time. They flushed a bird, and Tom’s final moment was filled with the scent of what he loved. Buried on a hillside, the man visits with tears and fond memories.
Sean Ewing is a follower of Jesus and a lover of dogs, cycling, and being outside.
You were three.
Maggie was twelve.
She cocked her head from side to side, planted firmly on her four feet, watching as you chose the dog biscuit and proffered it.
You wagged your index finger at her, ordering her to sit. Then begged.
Still the tail wagged. Still she stood.
Elizabeth Hone wrote this story.
In his dreams he can see. He’s darting across the lawn after the sassy Shih Tzu in a pink pinafore. His paws thrash the air; he twitches and whines; he’s just about caught up with her now.
His person wouldn’t dare disturb his reverie now, would she? He can see!
Susan Israel is the author of two crime novels, Over My Live Body and Student Bodies (The Story Plant) Her short fiction has recently been published in Dark Winter Literary Magazine, JAKE and MacQueen’s Quinterly. She lives in Connecticut with her dog.
Since cats are able to see in the dark, they don’t need flashlights to read under the covers. I’ve suspected this for a while, but couldn’t prove it. Until now. There she is, Fluffers, engrossed in an adventure novel. Caught in the act! I knew my books weren’t rearranging themselves.
Roberta Beach Jacobson (she/her) is drawn to the magic of words–poetry, song lyrics, flash fiction, puzzles, and stand-up comedy. Her latest book is Demitasse Fiction: One-Minute Reads for Busy People (Alien Buddha Press, 2023). She lives in Indianola, Iowa, USA with her husband and three cats.
Time for our evening walk. I tug. She won’t budge. Not in the mood either. I release her leash, plumping myself onto the sofa. Cuddling the pillow close, tears stream down. My poodle strokes me with her tongue, staring into my eyes as if she’s saying, “Just let him go.”
Chidi Young lives in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. He’s a teacher, photographer, and graphic designer who loves to read and write short stories.