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I post on Monday with an occasional random blog thrown in for good measure. I do my best to answer all comments via email and visit around on the days I post.

Saturday, April 4, 2015

D is for...

This is my 6th year for doing the challenge. To learn more go to The A to Z Challenge Blog.


This year it's all about the 
The A to Z of 
A LIZARD'S TAIL


In which I will describe, show pictures of, and otherwise expound on plants and animals mentioned in the novel.

D is for The Dog - Happy

The dog in A Lizard's Tail, is based directly on a real dog we had named Happy. It was a most incongruous name for he was the orneriest dog we ever loved. He was devoted and loyal to us, but woe to the person or animal that came into our yard or home unannounced and uninvited. He was cantankerous, stubborn, smart, and fearless, well, except for bath water and the ocean which he hated with a passion. He had short fuzzy honey colored fur that stuck up like it was full of static. And he had a tail which my father said looked like someone went to cut it off and missed.

Me and Happy. I was about 6 years old and he was about 6 months. I picked him out of the litter, dragging him out from under a couch, him growling the whole time. "Are you sure this is the one you want?" asked my mother. He was so big and his mother so small, that he was born with a broken rib. It's no wonder he was ornery.

At about a year.
He had a tendency to doze standing up in the sun.

At about 9 or so.
He dozed in the sun while sitting too.

Me and Happy at the beach. I was about 14, he was about 11. He loved tearing around the beach and rolling in the sand, particularly if there was something stinky, like rotting seaweed or a dead fish. 

HappityWappityPuppityWuppityBoy.
 The Dog. 
When he decided to make you a friend, he was a friend for life. It meant you were a member of the family and that he would defend you with his life.

12 comments:

  1. Sweet memory but I feel sad when I realize how quickly a dogs life seems to pass by. Have you ever seen that add (for something, of course) where it shows steps and a toddler climbing the steps with a puppy. Then a boy with a frisky dog. Then a man climbing the steps with the dog that could barely get up the steps. I cry every time.

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  2. He was a good companion. I bet you always felt safe with him around. Unless he was dozing, of course.

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  3. Very lovely memories, and happy photographs.

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  4. Happy was the right name for him, he looked as if he was very attached to you.

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  5. Ah! Look at that Happy with his best friend.

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  6. Any dog named Happy is bound to live up to his/her name.

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  7. Similarly my theme is my novel. Using real life only adds more authenticity to your writing.

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  8. Hi Bish - lovely memories of Happy and you - so sad he was born with a broken rib - still it seems it healed ...

    Lucky chap having you to look after him and be his companion ..

    Cheers Hilary

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  9. Hi Bish - lovely memories of Happy and you - so sad he was born with a broken rib - still it seems it healed ...

    Lucky chap having you to look after him and be his companion ..

    Cheers Hilary

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  10. Lovely memoir piece and I love the photos too. Visiting from A - Z Challenge 2015. :) Linda

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  11. Peas in a pod you two!! So sweet. I sounded very Yoda right there.

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  12. It looks like Happy made you so, and in the end that's a that really matters, no?

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Your Random Thoughts are most welcome!