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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "Don't Cut off Your Nose to Spite Your Face" (without using the actual phrase or litera (02/14/08)
I was lying down in my corner, taking my afternoon nap when Misty came tearing down the hallway. You tell me why a dog can’t sleep in peace without some over-grown chew toy tearing up his back! In my dream, I was flying down a grassy meadow, the wind in my face, the ball right within catching distance. I leapt up, opened my jaws, and…yow! Yelp! What was that? Misty! Her claws dug into my skin like thousands of tiny fleas gnawing on my flesh. I jumped up and suddenly that stupid cat had disappeared. It wasn’t my fault I had to go find her and teach her a lesson! She had to learn that she couldn’t mess with me while I was sleeping.

I trailed Misty as far as I could but when she climbed up the fence, I simply couldn’t reach her. I had been scolded enough times to know that the flower bed is not the proper place to chase a cat. But I was so angry! I paced back and forth through the dirt while she just sat there on the fence, taunting me with those vicious green eyes. We heard the screen door open at the same time. I stood frozen, not quite sure what to do next. They were coming and I was pretty sure I was going to die.

Misty leapt off the fence and ran toward the house. Oh good, they won’t catch me in the flowers after all. I sprinted after her, trying not to slip in the slick mud. Funny, I didn’t remember it being this cold and uh, wet before. I followed her all the way to the bedroom. I knew she was hiding but where? I caught her scent on the bed but I couldn’t see her. Was she under a pillow? I put my front paws on top of the big thing. Then, umph, I pulled my back legs up behind me and rested for a second. I’m not as young as I used to be, you know. Climbing on furniture just isn’t as easy as I remember. I noticed how soft the bed was. It sure felt good and I never did finish my nap…I rubbed my nose in the clean folds of the pillows. It smelled so good… I noticed an itch behind my left leg…I reached back as far as I could…

Oh no. Footsteps down the hall. My name being called in a half question, half “your- life- is- over- as- soon- as- I- find- you” voice. This human was very angry. I jumped down and hid under the bed, washing the dirt off my face. Maybe if I’m clean she won’t notice that I’d been lying on the bed.

“ELMER! BAD DOG! VERY BAD DOG! OUT!”

Her finger pointed toward the door. I cocked my head and wrinkled my brows. I’d never seen a human that color before. She was standing very stiff as if Misty had attacked her backside as well and I started to feel sorry for her until she grabbed that rolled up newspaper. It was at this point that I understood what she was feeling. Suddenly I was being chased through the house, dodging the newspaper like I never had in my entire life. I ran into the first open room I saw, relishing the sweet feeling of safety. She can’t chase me in here. Wait a minute. Where is she going? Why is she closing the door? It’s dark in here! Bark! Sniff. Sniff. Misty is eating! Why are they feeding the cat? I want some too! I lie down in a huff. I think I’ll take my nap in here from now on.

I have no idea when they’re going to let me out of here and it’s driving me insane! I keep calling for them but they must not hear me. I’m shivering with fear and I just want to get out. Drat that Misty! This is all her fault! If she hadn’t been constantly torturing me none of this would have happened. I could be in where it’s warm right now instead of waiting for them to let me back in. This stinks like something I dug up out of the yard yesterday. Next time, instead of teaching her a lesson I’ll never forget, I’ll let the stupid cat get chased with the rolled up newspaper.
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This article has been read 1176 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
LauraLee Shaw
02/21/08
This is TOO cute!!!! I laughed out loud several times, but this line really struck my funny bone for some reason: She was standing very stiff as if Misty had attacked her backside as well and I started to feel sorry for her until she grabbed that rolled up newspaper.

I can picture the whole thing in my head, and that is the sign of a very good writer. Well done and right on topic. Can't wait to read this to my dog-loving daughter.
Shirley McClay
02/22/08
Very fun! I love it! "You tell me why a dog can’t sleep in peace without some over-grown chew toy tearing up his back!" LOL... I agree that I could see the whole thing as you described it.. Even the effort of pulling himself up onto the bed. Excellent job!
Holly Westefeld
02/23/08
Cute and light.
I must be a bit slow, but did finally figure out that the dog was in the garage.
Jan Ackerson
02/24/08
LOL, being a cat person, I rooted for Misty. This is clever and fun.
Debbie Wistrom
02/25/08
Great title and the POV is fun. Thanks for the romp through the mind of the poor pooch.
Laury Hubrich 
02/27/08
Oh, poor misunderstood dog:)
Good writing!
Laury
Sara Harricharan
02/27/08
I was rooting for Misty! But the MC was cute too, especially with running commentary/dialouge bit. I liked the line with maybe if the MC was clean, she wouldn't notice that he'd been on the bed. Cute! ^_^
Beth LaBuff 
02/27/08
Your descriptions of the cat were so funny “over-grown chew toy”. Your title is great in light of this. Then--poor Elmer, how confusing for him…when WE ALL KNOW it was Misty’s fault. This was so much fun to read.
Loren T. Lowery
02/28/08
I could just see Elmer by your descriptive chacterizations and he reminded me so much of our own dog, Tigger chasing our cat, Sunny. I for one side with Elmer, poor guy! Nice writing.
Verna Cole Mitchell 
02/28/08
I enjoyed your fun story. I would have comforted the lonely dog. I knew it was Misty's fault.
Trish Green
02/28/08
As the owner of a very large "lap" dog, I felt so bad for this poor fellow! And laughed out loud at your vivid descriptions... the sheets and the pillow... so soft... LOL! I know my old boy would be right there with him if he could!

Excellent piece! Thank you for the pick-me-up!
Joshua Janoski
02/28/08
Cute perspective to write from. It was nice to read a lighthearted piece since many of the entries this week (mine included) are kind of heavy.

Being a dog lover, I had to side with Elmer.

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story!