Friday Fictioneers: One photo. One hundred words. One story. Any one author.
copyright Dawn Landau
Rescue
Shiiit, I don wanna go to no juvie, so I figure this volunteer thing be what I have to do. Dog rescue be good. Maybe I find me one a them Rottie dawgs or them pit bulls. Then nobody be messin’ wit me!
Trouble is, dat dawg I find be hurtin’ from bein’ made ta fight. She all skinny and stuff and lick ma face ‘n all. All she be wantin’ is some luv. Shiiit! Make me wanna cry ‘n I cain’t be doin’ that! They help me keep her. Now she follow me everywhere. I guess we a lot alike.
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This story is dedicated to Janie and Annabelle, the two rescue pit bulls we fostered and would have adopted had we been able to do so at the time. You can find more posts and photos of them by clicking on “Animals” in the Categories part of my blog. And a big shoutout to For the Love of Pits, the amazing organization near Cleveland, Ohio that does such stellar work! They and their dogs are changing the hearts and minds of people and dogs every day! You guys rock!!
Want to read more stories? Click below.
This, that and the other thing 
I think you really captured the essence of such master such dog.. love the language in this.. I like the fact that they have found each other keeping out of juvie and what’s worse.. hope they make it.
Thanks, Bjorn. I think he has a good chance of staying out now that he has someone to love and live for. Hopefully he’ll find a job as well. 😉
janet
yes, they are made for each other :o)
❤️
There’s going to be a lot of heart-string tugging this week, and you’re up there in the front runners Janet. Nice one.
Many thanks, Sandra. A story of hope as well, I think. I’m just about out the door to the tea shop for another day of work. At the end of this week, I’ll have been there a month (of part time.) My, how time flies!
janet
Great voice in this. And I love the reluctant but much needed love accidentally found by the narrator,. Kudos!
Thanks so much, Alicia. We all need love and sometimes it’s found in unlikely places (and to the benefit of both sides.)
janet
WHERE did this come from? Not your usual tone at all, and good for you for stretching your skills. Well done.
From my unexpected depths, Helen. 🙂 There’s more to some of us than meets the virtual eyes (evil and conspiratorially laugh.) It came from a combination of places, including where I taught many, many years ago, our foster parenting of pit bulls, and a few other places. Pleased you like it.
janet
you get a break from any spelling or grammar edits – this week. a nice piece that shows we can have something in common with all living things, not just people, and not just certain people.
Thanks goodness for the former or my post would be lit like a house on fire. 🙂 I’m glad it worked, Rich.
janet
it made me think about a situation about 20 years ago. i was driving through the outskirts of Newark over an old highway bridge that spanned over a nasty area of the city. in was in the slow lane, next to the pedestrian path of the bridge. the path was littered with broken glass. running in my direction on the path, against traffic, was a beautiful husky that seemed completely out of place. running after the husky was a young man, no shirt, barefoot, only jeans. i assumed it was his dog and it had run away for whatever reason. they were gone in a flash in the other direction, but all i saw was a man running over glass in barefeet and the panic on his face that the dog might take one wrong turn into traffic. it’s something that still comes into my head any time i go over a similar type of bridge.
There has to be a story there, Rich, or part of one.
Ah, this is really heartwarming.
Redemption and love are, Louie. Thanks!
janet
It sure is a dog’s life out there… Love how you really gave this fella a voice all his own.
Thankfully, Hannah, some dogs get a second chance and some people as well. This boy found his dog and she him.
janet
Yep, the accent comes across perfectly! Love this…
Scott
Thanks so much, Scott. Have to get to work reading some stories now that I’m home from work (but after I have my late lunch!)
janet
Wow! Janet, this is superb. I like it a lot.
Honie, “superb” is a big word and greatly appreciated. 🙂
janet
A great story for this photo prompt.
I’m glad you liked it, Raewyn. I’m trying to do a bit more writing again, having gotten pretty far over to the photography side. I like both.
janet
Some real tenderness under the tough exterior. Well portrayed.
Thanks, Patrick. I think that tenderness is there more often than we might think, but buried deeply to save face. At least I certainly hope so. Just have to find the right agent to crack the shell.
janet
Beneath that rough exterior, there is a soft centre. I really like the dialogue in the story.
Very good!
Many thanks, Francesca. Many a dog or other animal has found the soft center of a seemingly hardened person, whatever the age. I’m very pleased you liked the dialogue, too.
janet
Great story, Janet. Colloquial dialogue is hard to pull off, but I think you nailed this one by using turns of phrase well and only a touch of phonetic spelling. Isn’t it amazing who ends up being rescued when a human takes an interest in a needy animal? Good work.
All my best,
Marie Gail
Thanks, Marie. I’ve heard a lot of this sort of talk, so I thought I had a good chance of making it work. As for who rescues whom, you’re spot on. Everyone wins.
janet
Yes, you are from the Chicagoland, aren’t you? I lived there for 5 years, and the voice in this story sounds VERY familiar.
I learned mine in 28 years in Cleveland. 😊
Ah yes, Midwestern cities–KC folks follow many similar speech patterns also.
Who is saving who, I wonder? Very nice story, harshness of language accentuates beauty in the core.
Thanks! Mutual salvation. 🙂
janet
I guess they are, a lot alike.
Broken and needing healing love.
janet
I think this prompt really spoke to you! Nicely done and a nice outcome for both of them.
It did, Karen. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for visiting and commenting.
janet
Nicely told from a unique POV. Lucky dog.
Lucky young man as well. 🙂 Thanks, Erin.
janet
Dear Janet,
I be like all over readin’ dis. I be like sayin’ great job. Two paws up.
Like Shalom,
Rochelle
Been there, used that accent, going back to mine. Thanks much, doggone it.
janet
Too much shit, and wit, and grit for me (can you believe that coming from me?).
Otherwise, I’d say you nailed it
I’ve heart that long, drawn-out “shit” many times, Randy, and you know how I really don’t like that, but it’s real. Glad you liked it, though.
janet
great story, but pass the tissue, please…
Here you go, Plaridel. Thanks.
janet
Good story 🙂
Sounds like these two are well matched 🙂
I think they’ll be each others’ salvation, Jan Thanks
janet
Dear Janet,
While I love the message of your story I was not convinced of the authenticity of the narrator’s voice. This may be a result of a lack of experience on my part, but if it is not, I thought you’d like the feedback.
Aloha,
Doug
I always appreciate the feedback, Doug, but I can assure you I’ve heard the exact dialect more times than I can count. Hope you had a great time in New Zealand and, as always, thanks for reading and commenting.
janet
Dear Janet,
I’m glad it was me. I have to get out more. Thanks for your gracious response to my thoughts. That’s what I love about you. Grace.
Aloha,
Doug
You may have to get off-island, Doug. 🙂
BTW, Doug, I cherish that lovely remark!
Dear Janet, Dialect is wonderful and accurate! Who is saving who? I think the dog is savior! Great job! Nan 🙂
Mutual salvation, Nan, the very best kind. 🙂
janet
That’s why we love dogs, they make us whole. Wonderful story.
I’m pleased you enjoyed it! Animals can be a wonderful part of a person’s life.
janet
Oh shiiit that was good. Love the style, the story, everything. Bril.
Ta very much, Keith! I appreciate your visit and comment and of course I’m happy you loved the story.
janet
It’s always difficult to hear about animal abuse. They are helpless. You captured the essence of that in your story. A pretty wild ghetto accent you pulled off. Very nice, Janet. I may try this challenge.
Good Write !!! : )
You’re welcome to join, Izzy. You can find the rules and information here: https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/.
I decided to give it a try. The photo touched a nerve. Being a former bullied child, I went in that direction. I will check out the others tomorrow. Thanks for the info. 😊
Good morning, Izzy. I’ll look forward to reading your entry, but right now I’m getting ready to go to work. Have a wonderful Friday and weekend.
janet
Made for each other. We should all find that, whether of the two or four legged variety. Beautifully rendered in an authentic voice.
Perry, when you’re serious, I appreciate your comments even more, as I think then that my story has touched you deeply enough to move past humor.
janet
Loved it! I love the choice of language to create character.
Thanks a lot, Joseph. I’m happy you loved it!
janet
Most welcome! 🙂
Ha, yeah, the language was great here, you nailed the dialect & I liked the mutually redemptive angle you took.
KT
I’m happy to read that you liked it, KT. Thanks for taking the time to comment as well as read.
janet
I love how the dog manages to turn him around, and then that last line which makes me think your narrator has had it tough up to now. Great story! Loved the dialect.
Thanks very much to all of that, Dr. Ali. I’m especially glad the dialect worked, as it’s very realistic. Enjoy your weekend.
janet
Such a sweet story!
I’m happy you liked it, Sonia, and thanks for letting me know. Have a great weekend.
janet
A symbiotic relationship which will save both of them. Loved the language though had to guess at the meaning of juvie (which was easy to do). Great story.
I’m delighted you enjoyed the story, Irene. Rescue dogs can be rescuers themselves (as can any dog/animal.)
janet
I know Janet. We have two rescue dogs and they have both brought us a lot of joy.
Shiiiit. Great phonetic touch on bringing a nice story to life.
🙂 Thanks much! Enjoy the weekend and thanks for the visit & comment.
janet
Liked it! Awesome job with the language and transmitting a lot of the personality through it!
I really appreciate that. You made my evening all the better. 🙂
janet
Sounds like they need each other, Janet. When a dog licks your face, now that’s love. Now how can she resist that?
Throw away dogs and throw away kids. A sad commentary on modern society. Glad they found each other.
I’m glad, too, Tracey. So much pain in the world. Perhaps this is one small way of healing. Thanks for visiting and commenting.
janet
Sounds like de both need some luvin’ to me. I’ve tried nuzzling Connie and licking her face, but she just hands me a milk bone and pats me on the head.
🙂
janet
It wouldn’t be the first time a ‘dumb crittur’ turned around the life of a human who is otherwise ‘going to the dogs’. Your character is all the more real for having that accent – great colouring.
Thanks, Ann. Animals can certainly be lifesavers for human, especially those in need of love. I’m happy the accent worked for you, too. Have a wonderful week.
janet
He’s found a purpose in life, and he’s experiencing love. That’s all anyone needs. Well told. Heartwarming.
Thanks very much, Margaret!
janet
It works. It reminds me of a room mate I had while working as a maid in a resort a long time ago.
🙂
janet
Janet, somehow I read this 3x and forgot to comment the 2x before! An reflection of how scattered, jet lagged (I’m in FL now, seeing the in laws) and well… lame, I’ve been lately! Too many balls in the air for sure!
I love this piece. It is so unique and different for you. You have really captured a voice and character here, and the story is really touching and authentic. Wonderful story for this prompt, or on its own!
Thanks, Dawn. Glad you enjoyed it. I’ve begun to wonder whether you’re ever at home at all! 🙂 Sounds, though, as if you’re doing well, so I’m glad. Thanks for coming back to comment. I really appreciate it and the time from your busy schedule.
janet
It’s been a busy year… admittedly. I think now that the kids are gone, we have been freer to just go do the things that come up– and that’s been a lot! I love reading and participating in the FF stories though. 🙂
I like this. I watch Convicts and Pit Bulls on Animal Planet, and it is always touching to see how those tough people are completely turned around by these beautiful dogs. Great post. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Animals and people can be the salvation of one another or one can destroy the other. Thankfully, there are many more examples of the former. Thanks for visiting, reading, and commenting.
janet