A Dog’s Life
The grey on his muzzle was hard won. A working dog, Jasper kept the ranch safe, patrolling his territory daily with dogged vigilance. Scars, flattened and white, bore testimony of his encounters with coyotes and barbed wire. Jasper’s a little slower now, finding sunny patches of ground. Even resting, his watchful eyes guard his universe with loyalty, love, and a whole lot of license to kill.
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Today’s post is part of Flash Friday Fictioneers. The photo prompt is courtesy of Madison Woods. Her story can be found here, along with links to all the other Flash Friday Fictioneers.
©EKLeary
Great line ‘ a whole lot of license to kill’. Jaspers sounds like a great dog. Thanks.
http://castelsarrasin.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/straight-talking-friday-fictioneers-16-march-2012/
I like the description of Jasper’s scars – it gives him a whole history in just one sentence!
I used my own photo from the recent Branson Tornado for a writing prompt this week…
http://kbnelson.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/friday-flash-stung/
this is a good portrayal of our loyal best friend–gray hairs, scars and all! Nicely done!
http://thewriternubbin.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/flash-friday-fictioneers-the-vigil/
‘dogged vigilance’ love that!
Here’s mine: http://teschoenborn.com/2012/03/15/friday-fictioneers-2/
Like your realistic description.
Here’s mine: http://furiousfictions.com. I also hope you have time to check out D.S. Sulaitis’s terrific story, “The Lovers,” which I posted on Tuesday.
I like that a lot. Very hillfolk feel to it. 🙂
erin, One of my favorites–so poignant. Very well done.
Thanks for posting on mine–it was apprecitated.
This is one of my favorites so far today. Very well illustrated – you chose your words carefully and it shows. My old Mindy searches out the sunny spots now…and leaves the house guarding to our younger dog.
~Susan (Here’s mine: http://www.susanwenzel.com/)
My favorite line ” and a whole lot of license to kill.” That’s awesome. Great story, Erin.
Here’s mine:
http://siobhanmuir.blogspot.com/2012/03/outside-of-dog-100words-for.html
Heehee, “dogged vigilance.” Nice. I liked this. Thank you for sharing it!
Here’s mine:
http://sarahthestoryteller.wordpress.com
Jasper proves you can’t go through life without a few scars, bruises and scratches. He now deserves his ‘sunny patches of ground.’ Nice work. Here’s mine:
http://www.triplemoonstar.blogspot.com
This is a dog who worked hard for a living and has the scars to prove it. Very nice.
My attempt: http://unduecreativity.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/a-little-longer/
Hi Erin,
Very nice word portrait of Jasper. I feel like I know him because of your skillful description.
Here’s mine: http://bridgesareforburning.wordpress.com/
This was another great effort, Erin. You really own the picture with your words. I have to believe that it IS Jasper in the photo. Of course, I AM a dog guy…
It is nice to comment late in the day so that I can see the comments and links from your colleagues. This Friday gig is really a good thing. You rock it.
There were so many things I loved about this piece (fortunately they’ve all been commented on by several others). In summation, this was a beautiful character. Thanks for sharing.
Mine is here: http://threedescriptors.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/flash-fiction-18-watch-dog/
Lovely portrait of an outdoors dog. Loved the last line.
Aww, I pity the rustler who tries to mess with Jasper! Nice moment here. Great description of a tough old watchdog enjoying the sunlight.
My entry is over here: http://joannakneilson.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/flash-fiction-friday-send-mitsy/
As so many others, I really love that last line. That says it all!
Here’s my story: http://wp.me/p24aJS-3m
Haha, I think I’m like everyone else with loving that license to kill line 😉 Great story!