Tag Archives: pets

MATTHEW EICHENLAUB: Doreen, Our Old Torbie-Colored Cat

Submissions, Touching, , ,

Cuddling that bright morning. Our relationship
had been called lovingkindness by Buddha himself
one ancient morning as the Morningstar appeared.
Like enlightenment, her eyes flashed,
kidneys failing: her urine ran clear like water.
My startled response frightened her.
Yet her eyes said, it’s okay,
see you next time my love.

Matthew lives in Maine. He still remembers the day his son called from school. His student teacher had brought three kittens in a cardboard box from her dorm. “Please, can I bring one home?”

JOHN KEELEY: Responsibility

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

Oh God, it’s done! The adoption is finally complete!

There she sits, a cute seven year old, her face filled with hope and questions.

Oh God, what have I done? Can I really provide the loving, forever family home she deserves?

What do I know about raising Jack Russell Terriers?

John Keeley is the new guardian of seven year old Storm, and is wondering about the trust our pets put in us.

LEIGH SMITH: Love Offerings

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Not to be outdone by Grandma’s cat, who slathered a gob of squirrel viscera upon the sidewalk, Boon whined at the screen door. Usually it was dross—holey sock, long-gone bones—but something’s different today: a tobacco tin with old coins, curled Greybacks.

Good dog, I say, over and over.

Leigh Ward-Smith is a writer, editor, and amateur duck-wrangler with a passion for literature in its many forms. Her work has been published in or is forthcoming for The Ghouls’ Review, 52nd City literary magazine, and the Bikes in Space fiction anthology. When not reading, parenting, or being outdoors, she can most likely be found blogging at Leigh’s Wordsmithery.

CANDACE KUBINEC: An Open Letter To My Cat

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

In spite of your exalted status, you are not invited to sit at the dinner table.

We will not save you a chair or set a place for you, and you will not be considered a centerpiece.

I left the letter on the table where I knew she’d find it.

Candace writes from a comfy chair since the cat is using the table.

ROB GOSS: The Cynic

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

There never needed to be smoke to signal a fire for Rodrigo.

News reports, assumptions, stereotypes; call him jaded, but with most things the cynicism served him well.

But he never questioned her. She was pure. Gentle. Perfect. His refuge. A confidante. A companion. The one.

The finest Chihuahua ever.

Rob Goss is a Tokyo-based writer. Learn more about him at tokyofreelance.com.

DAVID WING: The Hound

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

He stood there and waited. The dark encroached, then bathed him. It was there, it was coming, it was watching. Its eyes radiated in the near distance, its fur bristled and shimmered in the Moon’s gaze, its legs arched in readiness.

Then it pounced!

“Argh! Hello Fluffy, got me again.”

David enjoys writing random stories and playing with his terrible hounds.

CATHERINE MATHEWS: Kittens

Submissions, Touching, , ,

Years ago I told the gardener, “One cat is enough. Drown those kittens.”

Indifferent, he pulled them from the mother and fetched the bucket.

We watched them struggling in the chill water, pansy faces upturned, soft mitts flailing, frantic squeals dying away.

So long ago, but it haunts me still.

Catherine Mathews is a State Department retiree formerly stationed overseas in Paris, Rome, Tel Aviv, Athens, Frankfurt, and Istanbul. She is now living in Northern Virginia and writing about her life.

MARY SCHERMER: Unconditional

Amusing, Artistic, , , , ,

I awoke in the cell, hoping, knowing Tim would come for me. He loved me. No matter what.

Even when I tried to kill the neighbors.

“Kate,” he murmured, stroking my hair, “let’s go home. It’s okay. I fenced in the yard so you can’t chase the neighborhood cats anymore!”

Mary Schermer lives in a small town on the southern shore of Lake Erie and writes short stories for enjoyment.

JOE MALONE: Bed and Breakfast

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

I maintain a special, discreet, bed and breakfast.

You are provided with an elegant room with a fantastic view, and access to my amazing collection of prize dogs and cats.

If you’re a pet lover, while away a pleasant evening with these beautiful animals.

Then in the morning, you’re breakfast.

Joe Malone is living in a mud hut in South Sudan. Read more from him athttp://joem18b.wordpress.com/.

 

MATHEW ALLAN GARCIA: Karma

Submissions, Touching, , , ,

Karma. The good kind.

When we moved into our first home, our pitbull, Wally, kept finding his way into the neighbor’s yard to play with their dogs. Well, Wally passed away a few weeks ago and now our new neighbor’s dog, Jackie, is digging into our yard.

We’re not complaining.

Mathew Allan Garcia lives in Hesperia, California with his wife, his three dogs, and his bear-dog hybrid named Zansa. He serves as the managing editor at Pantheon Magazine (www.pantheonmag.com), and writes a bi-weekly column entitled Funeral Songs at Parable Press. His work has been published at Shotgun Honey, Absinthe Revival, B O D Y Literature, Swamp Biscuits & Tea, among others. Sometimes, between it all, he has a chance to breathe.