Category Archives: Animals

Danny and Andrew

Danny the Dog is back, regaling us with his highly entertaining stories. Rock on, Danny! You are the eternal muse ❤️

danny the dog

I found Andrew about thirteen years ago down in Miami. Nowadays we live on a boat in Fort Lauderdale, but I’m originally from Miami. Andrew, as far as I know, has always lived in Fort Lauderdale.

I was six months old and I wanted to go out and see the world. I wasn’t getting any younger and the lure of the road was calling to me. So, one day when no one was looking, I just took off. At first, I had a grand time. I’d sniff my way up one street and then down the next. I met up with a few other dogs, chased a few cars, and thought to myself, This is the life. But after a day or so, I started to get hungry and, unlike the home I had left, the humans I ran into had no desire to feed me. I did get…

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Satin and Cinders

If you love animals and relish requited love, this short story by Jan Sikes will make your heart swell ❤ #Recommended

Writing and Music

SATIN AND CINDERS – A SHORT STORY

For many years, I’ve stood in the protection of the forest watching, longing. She is the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen with her satiny white coat, long silky mane, and tale.

The humans care for her, brush her and feed her only the sweetest hay in the glen. But, me, I live wild and free in the forest. I nibble grass and weeds. My dark coat doesn’t glisten or shine and I’ve never felt a human touch.

There is something about her that I can’t explain. When the rest of the herd moves south, I stay, year after year. I can’t stand the thought of being so far away from her. And she knows.

Now, with winter approaching, I stand at the edge of the forest and shiver. I watch until the cottage sits cloaked in darkness before I approach the barn…

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An Important Message for all Danny The Dog Fans.

It is with a heavy heart that I share this post. Our favorite canine and beloved friend of the blogosphere, Danny the Dog, crossed the rainbow bridge last Tuesday. Our thoughts and prayers are with his human, Andrew. If Danny were here, I think he might say that he himself needs no prayers ~ just a few more turkey slices 🙂 Journey well, sweet Danny. You will be sorely missed ❤

My heart is with you, Andrew. Danny reached so many hearts, because you gave him a voice with which to reach them ❤

Thank you to Chris Graham for breaking the news of Danny’s passing ❤

The Rainbow Bridge

http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

In case you were wondering why Danny The Dog wasn’t making his usual visit to respond to all your comments under his post yesterday, I regret to tell you that it was his last posting.

Danny died last Tuesday (18th July 2017)

His human, Andrew Joyce sent me the following eulogy:

My name is Andrew.

Until recently, I had the distinct honor of cohabitating with a true wit and an all-around good guy, Danny the Dog.

But now that the summer’s gone and all the flowers are dying—when all the sunshine was in shadow—he had to leave me. Oh, Danny Boy, I love you so. Sleep in peace until I come to you.

Now that I’ve plagiarized the song Danny Boy, I’ll have a go at Shakespeare.

Friends, bloggers, lovers of Danny, lend me your ears.
I come to praise Danny, not to bury him.
The bad stuff dogs do…

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Danny Extorts Andrew…

Either this is hilariously funny or I’ve exhausted my last brain cell ~ which doesn’t take much effort these days! Danny the Dog is over at Chris‘ place with his monthly diatribe, I mean post. He has his human, Andrew, on a short leash. And no, it isn’t the other way around. Danny’s leash is way longer 🙂

Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

Danny Extorts Andrew

Good morning, everybody. It is I, your favorite dog, Danny the Dog. At least I’m your favorite dog that pens a monthly epistle here on Chris’ blog.

I write about my life, my loves, and my losses—although I do not lose very often. Today, I’m here to tell you about one of my wins. And of course, it’s a win against my arch-nemesis, Andrew, my human.

For those of you who follow my exploits on a monthly basis, you know of my love of turkey slices. How every morning when Andrew and I come in from our walk, he’ll give me a few slices. And you’ll also know that we live on a boat. I only mention that because it has a bearing on my story.

So here’s the set-up. Boats have cockpits—it’s the place you steer from. There are also seats and/or benches where people (or…

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Smorgasbord Short Stories – Flights of Fancy Anthology – Trust by Sally Cronin

A story of grief, trust, and solace, beautifully written by our supportive friend and blogger, Sally Cronin. Need I tell you, Sally, this is my favorite and most likely always will be? Unlike all the tears I’ve shed over the past four months, these were welcomed ♥♥♥

“PIGLET” BEING PIGLET | Welcome to Tofino Photography

Meet Piglet! Wayne at Tofino Photography has captured the most adorable images of a bear cub he dubbed Piglet. We as yet don’t know the gender of this little sweetheart, but do we care? No! Cute is cute. Please visit Wayne’s site, like and share (links are below) 🙂

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Piglet by Tofino Photography

Playtime

Bear Cub Piglet and Mum Playtime by Tofino Photography

Piglet with Mum, Peggy

Piglet and Mum by Tofino Photography

Chester with Mum, Crystal

Bear Cub Chester & Mum Crystal by Tofino Photography

View originals Here,  Here, and Here

Our Jogger – Guest Post by Emily Gmitter (by kind permission from Zoe)…

Thank you to Zoe the Fabulous Feline for giving her monthly blog spot to her person on The Story Reading Ape. Emily Gmitter speaks to the regret we feel for not offering a kindness, and then wishing we had when it was too late. Moving and thought-provoking… ♥

Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

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Zoe here, I’m on a break, so I’m going to let my human have my spot this month, but I WILL be BACK.

It seemed the end of an era. I knelt beside the still body that was lying on the sidewalk in front of my house. I touched the back of my hand to his familiar face; it was cool to the touch. Not that I needed to do that; the thin skin on his face was a shade of bluish gray that indicated only one thing. I called 911 and waited for the paramedics to arrive.

Leaning against the stone wall in front of our home, I continued to stare at the body. I knew him, but I didn’t know him. Who were you?

In death, he did not seem as old as he had appeared when he was jogging through our neighborhood, which he did every day…

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Guest #Author #Shehanne Moore

Shehanne MooreShehanne Moore writes dark and smexy historical romance, featuring bad boys who need a bad girl to sort them out. She firmly believes everyone deserves a little love, forgiveness, and a second chance in life.  When not cuddling inn signs in her beloved Scottish mountains alongside Mr. Shey, and spending time with her lovely daughters and grandbaby, Shehanne can be found playing the odd musical instrument and relishing, what in any other country would not be defined as hill-walking. The dudes are her wee companions, hamsters (excuse me, hamstahs) who have a penchant for telling it like it is 🙂

** Find Shehanne’s books here and here. **

Welcome, Shey and Dudes!

 

So Tina, first of all can I just thank you for asking me here today to talk about myself and my work. And not just me. You were kind enough to ask the dudes. As you can see they are very happy. Thrilled, in fact, to be here.

Shey, I’m thrilled to host you and the dudes. All of you were such gracious hosts when I visited your blog, so I’m even more delighted you accepted my invitation to visit mine.

Shehanne Moore

I’m nothing if not sensible, my dear dudes. Thank you for noticing! 

Shehanne Moore

D.G. Kaye Uh-oh . . . 

Shehanne MooreOf course! That goes without saying. 

Shehanne Moore

Dudes, little guys, can we just can it, thank you?

Shehanne Moore

Tina didn’t ask you here to talk about you.

Um . . . Shey? It’s okay if the dudes talk a little about themselves, because our followers adore them 

Shehanne Moore

Shehanne Moore

But dudes, we never.

Shehanne Moore

Shehanne Moore

Shehanne Moore

But guys……

Shehanne Moore

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Shehanne Moore

Shehanne Moore

Shehanne Moore

Dudes, you haven’t mentioned the Time Mutants.

Shehanne Moore

Shehanne Moore

Shehanne Moore

Shehanne Moore

Shehanne Moore

Shehanne Moore

Shehanne Moore

Well…….. I wouldn’t exactly say—

Shehanne Moore

https://shehannemoore.wordpress.com/blog-3/

Shehanne Moore

Err….. Tina, what can I say, but sorry?

No need for apologies, Shey. I think the dudes did a fine job promoting you and your books. All of you are welcome here anytime. Thank you for being such lively and charismatic guests. 

Excerpt from The Viking and The Courtesan
            She glided closer. She had come to speak with him, wife to husband. And she had chosen here to do it because it was public. Those who thought the sun shone from the backend of his brown velvet breeches had a lot to learn.  Was it enough to propel her forward into the alcove though? Or should she turn, make her excuses and go?  Foisting a foundling on a man, even a man as bad as Cyril, did seem a hugely significant step to take. One that probably did not speak well of her character. Think of the life it would have though.  She closed her eyes, letting the jasmine scented pleasantry waft through her senses. That room off the Ratcliff Highway seethed with every smell imaginable. Not one of them was nice. She must do this. She opened her eyes, took a deep breath.
               “My lord.”
              Of course, she might have known Cyril would be more interested in looking at her breasts than her face. Maybe she should have ventured in here topless? Still, at least he was looking at her.
              “Cyril. Husband.”
              Now that jerked his chin up. If ever there was a way to bring a dog to heel, this was surely it.
              “I knew I should find you here before me, my dearest. And involved in a wager too. My lords, you must excuse Cyril, especially when he does not possess the money to pay any debts. And, we are shortly to require every penny we own.”
              “Malice?” He peered at her closely. “Malice? Is that you?”
              “Most certainly it’s not Aunt Carter’s silver teapot, my dearest husband.”
              She would keep with the endearments for the time being. It would not do for anyone here to think she was anything less than fond—the sole reason she clasped his wrist. “I know you find every time you see me like a first time, but caution yourself. It is not seemly to behave in this manner here.”
              “Malice, what the hell are you doing here? Let go of my—”
              She lowered her voice to a whisper. “When I have come to talk divorce, I advise you to stop tugging. I will let go when I am good and ready to let go.”
              “Divorce?”
              One little word to guarantee complete obedience from the damned dog.
              He cleared his throat, elegant in the fall of lace. Then he stood up. “You want to talk divorce? Divorce with me, Malice?”
              “I am looking, but I don’t see any other man here I am married to. Do you?”
*************
I hope you enjoyed this colorful post of the dudes defying promoting their human with charm and flavor. Please visit Shehanne’s sites, like and share. Thank you so much for stopping by  ❤
Learn more about Shehanne:    Blog    Website    Amazon US               Amazon UK   Barnes & Noble    Kobo   The Dudes   Twitter   Facebook   Facebook   Pinterest