Comment from Muffins

Excellent

Chopped up dog! I'm sure the animal lovers on this site will have a raging time expressing their opinions about that.
You picked a child 's deepest fear and enhanced 3D style. The dark is a scary place and I don't know a child, inducing myself at that stage, who did not demand a night light or a hallway light to help them sleep.
"Every night played out the same ," I take this as Marcy 's young mind having awaking nightmares and how does one cure that? Poor child!

 Comment Written 03-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 04-Apr-2015

Yeah, you're absolutely right, Muffins, some of them sure did, LOL! But, in my defense, I own 3 small dogs myself and would never allow one of them to be hurt if I could help it. As for poor Marcy, well...she hadn't much choice.

Thanks so much again for your review. I'm happy that you're into this series. :} ~Dean

Comment from patcelaw

Excellent

Thanks Dean for one of you milder offerings. I read it all the way through.
May you have a blessed resurrection day and God bless, Patricia

 Comment Written 02-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 02-Apr-2015

You too, Patricia, and thank you for giving it a chance. I appreciate your review.

Comment from kiwijenny

Excellent

Dean,....please write a disclaimer that no animals were harmed in the making of this story,,,not pooch puddles...yikes.....
Poor devestates kid...she'll wet the bed the reat of her days....well ...that depends
God bless

 Comment Written 02-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 02-Apr-2015

Yeah, if she ever gets back to bed at all, heh-heh...
Thanks, Jenny, much obliged. :}

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Exceptional

Great read, creepy and devilish and very scary. Must admit though to a slight chuckle with the finish with the blood write on the mirror, great finish to this scary little story.

valda

 Comment Written 02-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 02-Apr-2015

"Bits" of comedic relief are "scattered" all throughout this tiny snippet of horror, Pearl. The over-alliterated line ( the - puddles of the poor pooch - line), the moistened dog tongue, the urge to urinate. I'm a firm believer that comedy and horror make excellent bedfellows, if you will.

Thanks for your wonderful comments and six star rating. It's sure appreciated! :) ~Dean

Comment from Treischel

Excellent

Hah! I knew that lick was the key to this one. As usual, clever, grim, gruesome story. This one a nighttime terror with puppy blood, and little girl screams, always masterful.

 Comment Written 02-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 02-Apr-2015

Thanks very much, Tom. I appreciate your interest in these snippets of horror, and your support.

Thanks again. ~Dean

Comment from Ridley Williams

Excellent

Hi Dean,
Yuck! The only thing that deserves a good lick is an ice cream cone, lol.
This one leaves you wondering who else likes to lick the hands of the innocent.
Nice set-up...with an ending that gives you the shivers.
And, do like your mother told you; always wash your hands after using the bathroom, lol.
...wished I would have read this earlier in the day!
Have a great evening, Bill

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 02-Apr-2015

I recommend sleeping on your sofa, Bill. Just for tonight, heh-heh... Thanks very much for your review. ;)

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

OOOOOHHHH! This is definitely the scariest one, Dean. Both because of the plight of the poor dog and what scary thing lurks in her bedroom when she sleeps. Alliteration is great: "Puddles of the poor pooch pool." Marilyn

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 01-Apr-2015

Hah-ha, I've taken a bit of heat over that over-alliterated line, Marilyn, heh-heh. But in my defense, it was intended as a bit of comedic relief more than anything else.

I'm happy you've taken an interest in these stories. I feel if flash and micro fiction is done right, it can make as big an impact on readers than a story ten times its length.

Thanks so much again. :) ~Dean

reply by BeasPeas on 01-Apr-2015

One of the reasons that I primarily write and read poetry is because it's SHORT! I like SHORT!! This is one of my favorite quotes--from the philosopher Blaise Pascal: "I have made this [letter] longer, because I have not had the time to make it shorter." Marilyn

Comment from Spitfire

Excellent

The music and words do create a dark mood. I figured out the ending based on your usual thinking. I do think you could be more graphic (specific details) in the following:
Bits and pieces of her beloved friend are scattered everywhere.

 Comment Written 31-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 01-Apr-2015

Thanks, Shari. I had a more graphic version written, but it met with some harsh criticism, so I changed it. But I do appreciate you reviewing the story and giving me your thoughts on it. I may change it back to the other.

Here are the details I edited out...

"Buttons is in the bathtub...bits and pieces of the dog are running down the walls, hanging from the light fixture on the ceiling. Puddles of the poor pooch pool across the slick tiled floor. Globules of hair, blood and entrails cover nearly every square inch of the room..."

reply by Spitfire on 01-Apr-2015

That IS graphic. I had more in mind: Button's hind legs lay in the tub. His tongue draped over the faucet. His ears were pinned to the wall.
Oops, I guess that's graphic too. For dog lovers anyway.

reply by the author on 01-Apr-2015

Yeah, the animal lovers put me through the ringer! And I own three doggies myself.

Go figure... :P

Comment from GWHARGIS

Excellent

Okay this got me. I started wondering what the hell licked her. So I guess I'm not going to get the answer to this, am I? Great imagery and liked the music and the old timey illustration. Great job. I like this idea of the short bites of horror. Gretchen

 Comment Written 31-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 01-Apr-2015

Thanks, Gretchen, and I'm happy to know you're enjoying these stories. We all know how difficult it is to write flash or micro fiction. But, when you couple that with trying to scare the pants off of readers and make it work, it's doubly difficult, at least for me. That's the reason I took on this challenge in the first place, to see if it could be done.

I very much appreciate your feedback and comments. Thanks again.

~Dean :}

Comment from emrpoems

Excellent

Your imagination is awesome and you writing is is a great talent that I wish I could emulate. One question though .Where do you find the time to write. I am trying my best to write and to review so I can promote and I just can't am frazzled. paying in cash is out of the question for me as it cost me $6.50TTD for $I.00USD.

 Comment Written 31-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 31-Mar-2015

I have a serious heart condition which prevents me from working, unfortunately, Erica, and was forced into early retirement. So, I'm a stay-at-home dad, a live-in dog walker, laundry-doer, dish washer, and part-time writer, LOL. In other words, I'm the Mr Mom you've always heard about, only I have a laptop and an over-active imagination. Now you can see why horror stories and poetry come pretty naturally to me, heh-heh.

Thanks for that compliment, but you're an excellent writer too. Don't ever doubt that for one second. Being disabled, I have to read and review constantly in order to afford being able to promote my writing, or try to win contests if one comes along I feel I might have a shot at. I don't have the funds to pay for pumps and certificates out of my pocket. That's just out of the question for me too.

Thanks for taking the time to read this story and respond. I truly appreciate it. ~Dean :}