Bent Twigs Kathryn Kulpa __________ The news might have come in the daily paper, but who read papers anymore? Maybe there was an announcement on the radio. A bullhorn buzz: THIS HAS BEEN ATEST OF THE EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM. HAD THIS BEEN AN ACTUAL EMERGENCY, YOU WOULD ALL BE DEAD…
Read MoreDark Academia Pooja Joshi __________ In March, I receive a letter from the dean, congratulating me on being the first woman admitted to the university’s coveted Biosonic Fragradation Cephalomechanics PhD program. Anyone would be lucky to start their academic career under the tutelage of Dr. Marsh. Like a diamond in…
Read MoreMaking Deals Harvey Huddleston __________ July 23, 1944 Brit paper says when the Nazis invaded Russia they murdered every civilian in their path. But painting all Germans as evil is the same as what Hitler did to the Jews and if we’re no better than that how can we expect…
Read MoreLetter from the Editor Vallie Lynn Watson __________ Moving to a new place means starting over–new house, new co-workers, new doctors–and for the most important members of the family, it means new vets and new dog-sitters. Raven, McKay, and I moved to the bayou eighteen months ago and feel lucky…
Read MoreThe Summer of the Eight-Legged Calf Nicole Hebdon __________ It was day two of the county fair, and we were already settled in to our routines. Having attended the fair all ten days every summer of our lives (we being me, my siblings, my cousins, and almost every member of…
Read MoreLetter from the Guest Editor Taryn White __________ When my friends and family go on vacation, I’m almost always the one they call to look after their pets while they’re gone. Over the past few years, I’ve befriended many animals, like Hercules, the Great Dane; Bobo One and Bobo two;…
Read MoreThe Favourite Louise Osborne __________ Nigel had arrived early at the office, equipped with a coffee from his local barista. As hewalked past the boss’ office, he could see her through the gap in the doorway. The boss wassitting behind a large solid-looking desk with her head down fiddling with…
Read MoreAll Turkeys Go to Heaven Brendan Praniewicz __________ His name was Nev. Short for Nebuchadnevah. An egregious typo, meant to be named the biblicalNebuchadnezzar, but a suitable name for a 55-pound turkey, who I believed would “nevah” die. The first time I saw Nev was at a feed shop in…
Read MoreGrand Theft Auto Dawg & Nomads Susan Israel __________ Grand Theft Auto Dawg Mom says, “Where is Smokey?” and you suddenly realize he’s not lying at the foot of yourbed warming your feet and you look around for that heap of golden retriever fluff and jam your feet into well-chewed…
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