The Fat Giraffe/Caterpillar Parade
An adventure in dog-sitting.42 total reviews
Comment from Sasha
This is a delightful and fun read. Your descriptions of getting to know your new dog-pal made me laugh out loud. I especially love:
people sit on their porches waiting for The Fat Giraffe/Sneezing Caterpillar Parade to come by...
Had I been there, I am sure I would have been on one of the porches with them.
Great story and I wish you all the best in the contest too.
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2013
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This is a delightful and fun read. Your descriptions of getting to know your new dog-pal made me laugh out loud. I especially love:
people sit on their porches waiting for The Fat Giraffe/Sneezing Caterpillar Parade to come by...
Had I been there, I am sure I would have been on one of the porches with them.
Great story and I wish you all the best in the contest too.
Comment Written 18-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2013
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Thank you, Sasha. I apologize for being out of the loop for a while, but I had seven pounds of fur on my hands. At 6'6" I'm already a parade when I walk around in Mexico. Team me up with a walking Swiffer, and...
So glad you enjoyed. Peace, Lee
Comment from N.K. Wagner
Nails clicks and fur in the peripheral vision? Let's hope the field mice haven't moved in for the winter. You've proven yourself trainable and word travels fast, you know. Two minor nits:
The dog in question belongs to my sister, Linda and her finace, Mark. - no commas
Bear, bone, wabbitt. - did you intend 2 Ts?
Sounds like you had a great trip, Lee. A very funny story. Good luck in the contest. :) Nancy
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2013
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Nails clicks and fur in the peripheral vision? Let's hope the field mice haven't moved in for the winter. You've proven yourself trainable and word travels fast, you know. Two minor nits:
The dog in question belongs to my sister, Linda and her finace, Mark. - no commas
Bear, bone, wabbitt. - did you intend 2 Ts?
Sounds like you had a great trip, Lee. A very funny story. Good luck in the contest. :) Nancy
Comment Written 18-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2013
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Thank you, Nancy. I've corrected your nits--appreciated.
I did enjoy my trip. Thank you again. Peace, Lee
Comment from Dean Kuch
Hah ha, great story, lee, and actually, I have wondered about human waste on airplanes/ As it turns out, airplane toilets use an active vacuum instead of a passive siphon, and they are therefore called vacuum toilets. When you flush, it opens a valve in the sewer line, and the vacuum in the line sucks the contents out of the bowl and into a tank. Because the vacuum does all the work, it takes very little water (or the blue sanitizing liquid used in airplanes) to clean the bowl for the next person. Most vacuum systems flush with just half a gallon (2 liters) of fluid or less, compared to 1.6 gallons in a conventional john. It all goes into a storage tank in the belly of the plane, and is emptied at every stop the plane makes. Now, there's a job for ya, LOL!
Loved the image you portray of the fat giraffe and a caterpillar. That was very funny.
My Mother and Father have a Yorkie named Buddy, no kidding! He's just as catered to and doted upon by my folks, who now harbor an empty nest, than the one in your story. Smart little pooch, their Buddy is. He's primarily my Dad's dog, my father can't so much as go to the john without him.
We have three dogs ourselves, and when dad came to visit me a while back, buddy came with him. Gidget, my eight-year-old Chihuahua let him know real quick-like who was the master of the mutts in this home. He cowered in a far corner for about an hour, but finally, they began to play and get along.
This was a hilarious story, my friend. Glad you have acquired a taste for cottage cheese. It's really good for you!
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2013
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Hah ha, great story, lee, and actually, I have wondered about human waste on airplanes/ As it turns out, airplane toilets use an active vacuum instead of a passive siphon, and they are therefore called vacuum toilets. When you flush, it opens a valve in the sewer line, and the vacuum in the line sucks the contents out of the bowl and into a tank. Because the vacuum does all the work, it takes very little water (or the blue sanitizing liquid used in airplanes) to clean the bowl for the next person. Most vacuum systems flush with just half a gallon (2 liters) of fluid or less, compared to 1.6 gallons in a conventional john. It all goes into a storage tank in the belly of the plane, and is emptied at every stop the plane makes. Now, there's a job for ya, LOL!
Loved the image you portray of the fat giraffe and a caterpillar. That was very funny.
My Mother and Father have a Yorkie named Buddy, no kidding! He's just as catered to and doted upon by my folks, who now harbor an empty nest, than the one in your story. Smart little pooch, their Buddy is. He's primarily my Dad's dog, my father can't so much as go to the john without him.
We have three dogs ourselves, and when dad came to visit me a while back, buddy came with him. Gidget, my eight-year-old Chihuahua let him know real quick-like who was the master of the mutts in this home. He cowered in a far corner for about an hour, but finally, they began to play and get along.
This was a hilarious story, my friend. Glad you have acquired a taste for cottage cheese. It's really good for you!
Comment Written 18-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2013
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Thank you, Dean. Turns out, Buddy is a pretty popular name for these wee brutes. And our (?) Buddy gravitates more to Mark than Linda, too. Thanks for the info on the plane toilets, though know I'll have to stop peeing every time I fly over Yankee Stadium. Oh well. Peace, Lee
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Hah, my pleasure, Lee.
Comment from Carolyn 'Deaton' Stephens
Dear Lee,
It is a quarter to twelve pm here and I am so far behind I think I am ahead. And yet here I sit, reading about Yorkie stares, tootsie-roll poop and doggie T-R-E-A-T-S. Actually laughing out loud is really good for you right before going to bed. The only thing is, it makes you want to pee. So I am turning off my computer, telling you good night and that I was delighted with your house-sitting, dog watching story. Good night, sleep tight, dream about Buddy, if you dare. :-) Carolyn
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2013
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Dear Lee,
It is a quarter to twelve pm here and I am so far behind I think I am ahead. And yet here I sit, reading about Yorkie stares, tootsie-roll poop and doggie T-R-E-A-T-S. Actually laughing out loud is really good for you right before going to bed. The only thing is, it makes you want to pee. So I am turning off my computer, telling you good night and that I was delighted with your house-sitting, dog watching story. Good night, sleep tight, dream about Buddy, if you dare. :-) Carolyn
Comment Written 18-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2013
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Thank you, Carolyn, and I apologize for keeping you up so late.
Actually, I enjoyed my time with Buddy. But maybe he's too smart for me. I'm delighted you enjoyed. Peace, Lee
Comment from w.j.debi
Humorous look taking care of someone else's treasured pet child. What a spoiled little mutt and no doubt adored by your sister.
Consistent narrative voice full of humorous sarcasm. Hope your bad dreams of yorkies go away.
Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2013
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Humorous look taking care of someone else's treasured pet child. What a spoiled little mutt and no doubt adored by your sister.
Consistent narrative voice full of humorous sarcasm. Hope your bad dreams of yorkies go away.
Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 18-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2013
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Thank you, w.j.debi. He may be spoiled, but he comes by it honestly. I'm glad you enjoyed. Peace, Lee
Comment from vickib
LEE! So entertaining, so funny, so cute (except the poop) you softy you. See you need a dog. Don't you hate it when you don't want to like them, then you do? I'd say he will miss you but I'm thinking he's even more spoiled by mom and dad. Your sister is such a good mom. I say WHAT to my dog all the time, that made me laugh and relate. The whole thing made me laugh and I love the way you wrote it. Talking to Linda, the plan ride, thinking out loud. You did that a lot. And then the end where you can't shake Buddy from your psyche. Sorta what happens to me with my grand kids. I can smell baby powder on me and I dream about their cute lil faces.
Anyway Lee this was is outstanding, I love non fiction btw. And you bring the everyday things we Have to do and make it hysterical. It's how my mind thinks because I think I'm pretty funny , though no one else does, but I don't know how to write it. You are an inspiration to me and a great example of a talented writer. It is an art and you are a master at it.
XO
Vicki
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2013
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LEE! So entertaining, so funny, so cute (except the poop) you softy you. See you need a dog. Don't you hate it when you don't want to like them, then you do? I'd say he will miss you but I'm thinking he's even more spoiled by mom and dad. Your sister is such a good mom. I say WHAT to my dog all the time, that made me laugh and relate. The whole thing made me laugh and I love the way you wrote it. Talking to Linda, the plan ride, thinking out loud. You did that a lot. And then the end where you can't shake Buddy from your psyche. Sorta what happens to me with my grand kids. I can smell baby powder on me and I dream about their cute lil faces.
Anyway Lee this was is outstanding, I love non fiction btw. And you bring the everyday things we Have to do and make it hysterical. It's how my mind thinks because I think I'm pretty funny , though no one else does, but I don't know how to write it. You are an inspiration to me and a great example of a talented writer. It is an art and you are a master at it.
XO
Vicki
Comment Written 17-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2013
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Thank you, Vicki. Softy? And you think I should get a dog? Can you imagine what he'd have me twirled around? Ah, I love animals, but I also love being a curmudgeon. You're right about Buddy. He'll wonder where I went, but his folks are back. End of story. I still haven't shaken Buddy's presence. I wake up to pee in the middle of the night, and I'm quiet so I won't wake up Buddy. What am I, a moron?
Glad you enjoyed, Vicki. Peace, Lee
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No on the softy? I liked the fry boot thing too. I had a pair of those. So many things I liked about this story. Your weight?.... Hahaha, that moron thing was funny too. I could go on and on. How you switch from thinking out loud, talking out loud, talking to Linda, talking to the dog and make it so easy to read is beyond me.
Comment from Rosalyne
Hi Lee,
I can't remember laughing so hard reading a story! This is hilarious! You have written one of the funniest dog stories I've ever read. I don't think I'll ever look at a Tootsie Roll candy the same way again. You have a wonderful sense of humour! Best of luck in the contest.
Bye
Rosalyne :)
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2013
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Hi Lee,
I can't remember laughing so hard reading a story! This is hilarious! You have written one of the funniest dog stories I've ever read. I don't think I'll ever look at a Tootsie Roll candy the same way again. You have a wonderful sense of humour! Best of luck in the contest.
Bye
Rosalyne :)
Comment Written 17-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2013
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Thanks so much, Rosalyne. I don't think I'll be able to eat another Tootsie Roll, either. But I may be able to give them out for Halloween. Kidding. Thank you again. Peace, Lee
Comment from barbara.wilkey
My whole life I have had big to giant dogs. I happen to love the gentle giants. My husband, not so much. After my great Pyrenees died, my husband said I had to get a small dog. His logic is small dog, small poop, giant dog, giant poop and it's his job to clean up the back yard. So I got a mini dachshund puppy. Oh my the activity, the noise, I never had that with my big guys. It's hard to get used to it. Loved your story.
reply by the author on 20-Nov-2013
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My whole life I have had big to giant dogs. I happen to love the gentle giants. My husband, not so much. After my great Pyrenees died, my husband said I had to get a small dog. His logic is small dog, small poop, giant dog, giant poop and it's his job to clean up the back yard. So I got a mini dachshund puppy. Oh my the activity, the noise, I never had that with my big guys. It's hard to get used to it. Loved your story.
Comment Written 17-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 20-Nov-2013
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Thank you, Barbara. I too, like big dogs, but the little fellas have their charms, too. How old is your little guy? He'll mellow, right? Glad you enjoyed. Peace, Lee
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he's six months and anything but mellow
Comment from Millibrad
This was an enjoyable read. I like the tone of the writing, and the way you stuck to your narrator's voice. It seems appropriate for the story. Looks like you got a good story out of the ordeal, and I'll bet Linda really appreciates you.
reply by the author on 20-Nov-2013
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This was an enjoyable read. I like the tone of the writing, and the way you stuck to your narrator's voice. It seems appropriate for the story. Looks like you got a good story out of the ordeal, and I'll bet Linda really appreciates you.
Comment Written 17-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 20-Nov-2013
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Thank you, Millibrad. Yes, sticking with a voice is very important. Mine is that of a curmudgeon--with a soft heart.
Glad you enjoyed. Peace. Lee
Comment from nancy_e_davis
A delightful story Lee, very funny. My son has two toy Yorkies and they are very smart dogs! I wonder why because their brains could fit in a thimble! LOL They actually tattle on each other! Good job! Nancy
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2013
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A delightful story Lee, very funny. My son has two toy Yorkies and they are very smart dogs! I wonder why because their brains could fit in a thimble! LOL They actually tattle on each other! Good job! Nancy
Comment Written 17-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2013
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Thank you, Nancy. Yes, Yorkies are as smart as they are cute. I'm glad you enjoyed. Peace, Lee
