Letter 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…
Read MoreGrimaldi’s Thanksgiving Antoinette Carone __________ Grimaldi knew something was afoot. His nap was disturbed by a noisy hustle and bustlecoming from downstairs. He pricked up his ears. Someone might be coming to chase him off the bed. Then he remembered that he now lived with Anna and Salvatore and was…
Read MoreThe Cat’s Eyes & Dog People Assume All People Are Dog People Patrick Paridee Samuel __________ The Cat’s Eyes I hold him downknowing better,patience buildingobstruction as hisvision triggersscent-seeing, dirtdigging stick.To his cornerto clean himselfthe shapes he makesreaching, licking.Each day comingwhen my coffee’s done,Cuisinart beepscalling as if straywhere my husbandsleeps. Chirps…
Read MoreMorning Light Robin Michel __________ I stand by the windowoverlooking the empty schoolyard. Blue morningsky flushes a rising pink like my daughter’s facewhen anxious. “I can’t sleep,” she said, her voice furredwith fatigue. Before our phone call ended, I forgot to askif she’d settled on a name. Over two weeks…
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