If anyone is still reading my pitiful blog, the reason it's rarely updated is because I'm so busy writing books for Amazon's Kindle...and marketing said books (which is a major p.i.t.a.)...that I simply run out of time and energy.
Anyway, on that woeful note, I'm going to list my current books below in hopes that my animal-loving friends will - at the very least - sample them. And although they range from short stories to a suspense novel to my previously-published columns, they all have one thing in common: DOGS. Beloved, beloved dogs.
Here are the links to the books:
http://www.amazon.com/Zellwood-ebook/dp/B004KAA9PC/
http://www.amazon.com/A-Three-Dog-Night-ebook/dp/B004M191IA/
http://www.amazon.com/Devils-Moon-ebook/dp/B004HFRGIS/
http://www.amazon.com/The-Animal-Advocate-ebook/dp/B0045OUK9S/
Very soon, I will have another book to add to this list. Again, think DOGS...:-))
Showing posts with label dog stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog stories. Show all posts
Friday, August 26, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
A Three-Dog Night
Below is an excerpt from my new e-book, A Three-Dog Night. Hope you like it...
Gabriel
by Rebecca Stroud
Copyright 2011
My name is John and I'm lonesome.
I've been living in basic shell-shock since my wife, Lydia, left me six months ago. We'd been married for nearly fifty years so how in hell do you carry on when the person you practically grew up with goes and dies on you? Not very fair of her, was it?
At least, I don't think so. I mean, we were supposed to grow older and grayer together. Then, quite selfishly, I was supposed to go first, damn it. Because I can't stand life without Lydia and I'm at a loss as what to do next.
Should I clean this house that hasn't seen a duster since she died? Should I get up out of my Lazy-Boy, turn off the idiot box, and go out to smell the roses. What roses? They've all rotted and withered on the vine…just like I'm doing.
I do make it as far as the front doorstep to fetch the morning paper. Occasionally, one of my neighbors is doing the same. So I wave and hurry back inside as I don't want to talk to anyone. Apparently, they don't really want to talk to me either because I see the looks on their faces. How they avert their eyes and scurry away faster than I do. Fine by me.
And since I still have to eat - although my appetite rivals that of a bird's - I also make it as far as the corner market where Lydia and I have been grocery shopping for decades. Sure, I could go to one of the big-box stores but why bother? Yeah, my brother told me I need to get out and mingle but I doubt Wal-Mart is the place to start a meaningful conversation. Say, how 'bout them tomatoes?
So, every Monday morning, I continue to buy my meager nutrient requirements at Bud's Bodega and hope like hell Bud doesn't want to 'engage' me in chit-chat. Of course, since Lydia and I have known him forever, neither can I be rude. This particular trip proves to be a test of my willingness to socialize.
"So, John, how are you this fine day?" Bud smiles like he's never smiled before.
I grunt and nod, "Okay, Bud. Thanks for asking." I head for the produce aisle to pretend I'm looking for that award-winning tomato. He follows me.
"Ya know, John, I've been thinking. Maybe you should get a dog."
Christ. A dog. Just what I need. Another perfect soul that I can get attached to, love more than life itself, then have it die on me, too.
"No, thanks, Bud. I'm doing okay. Just going to take some time."
Unfortunately, I have to pay for my meager nutrients so I find myself face-to-face with him while he rings up my bill.
"Really, John. Just listen for a minute. Please." Bud's entire demeanor changes in a heartbeat as he relates the story of a dog that saved his family from perishing in a house-fire. A dog, who shortly thereafter, was relinquished to the local shelter because his owners were getting divorced. A dog whose repayment for giving life was most likely going to be death as he was already nine-years-old.
So, as Bud recounted this sad tale, I did. Listen that is. Because something in the telling struck a familiar chord. Tugging at me, I think it was the fact that the dog and I were a lot alike. Through no fault of my own, I had lost the light of my life. Ditto for the dog. Then came the clincher...
Gabriel
by Rebecca Stroud
Copyright 2011
My name is John and I'm lonesome.
I've been living in basic shell-shock since my wife, Lydia, left me six months ago. We'd been married for nearly fifty years so how in hell do you carry on when the person you practically grew up with goes and dies on you? Not very fair of her, was it?
At least, I don't think so. I mean, we were supposed to grow older and grayer together. Then, quite selfishly, I was supposed to go first, damn it. Because I can't stand life without Lydia and I'm at a loss as what to do next.
Should I clean this house that hasn't seen a duster since she died? Should I get up out of my Lazy-Boy, turn off the idiot box, and go out to smell the roses. What roses? They've all rotted and withered on the vine…just like I'm doing.
I do make it as far as the front doorstep to fetch the morning paper. Occasionally, one of my neighbors is doing the same. So I wave and hurry back inside as I don't want to talk to anyone. Apparently, they don't really want to talk to me either because I see the looks on their faces. How they avert their eyes and scurry away faster than I do. Fine by me.
And since I still have to eat - although my appetite rivals that of a bird's - I also make it as far as the corner market where Lydia and I have been grocery shopping for decades. Sure, I could go to one of the big-box stores but why bother? Yeah, my brother told me I need to get out and mingle but I doubt Wal-Mart is the place to start a meaningful conversation. Say, how 'bout them tomatoes?
So, every Monday morning, I continue to buy my meager nutrient requirements at Bud's Bodega and hope like hell Bud doesn't want to 'engage' me in chit-chat. Of course, since Lydia and I have known him forever, neither can I be rude. This particular trip proves to be a test of my willingness to socialize.
"So, John, how are you this fine day?" Bud smiles like he's never smiled before.
I grunt and nod, "Okay, Bud. Thanks for asking." I head for the produce aisle to pretend I'm looking for that award-winning tomato. He follows me.
"Ya know, John, I've been thinking. Maybe you should get a dog."
Christ. A dog. Just what I need. Another perfect soul that I can get attached to, love more than life itself, then have it die on me, too.
"No, thanks, Bud. I'm doing okay. Just going to take some time."
Unfortunately, I have to pay for my meager nutrients so I find myself face-to-face with him while he rings up my bill.
"Really, John. Just listen for a minute. Please." Bud's entire demeanor changes in a heartbeat as he relates the story of a dog that saved his family from perishing in a house-fire. A dog, who shortly thereafter, was relinquished to the local shelter because his owners were getting divorced. A dog whose repayment for giving life was most likely going to be death as he was already nine-years-old.
So, as Bud recounted this sad tale, I did. Listen that is. Because something in the telling struck a familiar chord. Tugging at me, I think it was the fact that the dog and I were a lot alike. Through no fault of my own, I had lost the light of my life. Ditto for the dog. Then came the clincher...
Sunday, January 30, 2011
My e-books...
Hi, everyone...is there even an "everyone" any more? Anyway, the links to my "animal" books are at the end of this post. A brief description of each:
1) Zellwood is a short story; it's about the grief process after losing a beloved dog.
2) Devil's Moon is a suspense novel; and, of course, there's a dog involved...big time. The book does, however, contain R-rated language as the antagonist is a real - ahem - piece of work.
3) The Animal Advocate you already know about but I'll tell you again; it's a collection of my newspaper/blog columns (yes, some you can read here) .
4) My next short-story book will be published in a week or two; more "dog tales"
In any case, whether you have an e-book reader or not, you can download these books to many other devices (your iphone, your PC, your Blackberry, etc.). Also, please pass the links along to all on your "animal loving" list - be it via email, Facebook, word-of-mouth, whatever - as the snowball effect is what will make my work a success. I thank you so much in advance...
Zellwood
Devil's Moon
The Animal Advocate
1) Zellwood is a short story; it's about the grief process after losing a beloved dog.
2) Devil's Moon is a suspense novel; and, of course, there's a dog involved...big time. The book does, however, contain R-rated language as the antagonist is a real - ahem - piece of work.
3) The Animal Advocate you already know about but I'll tell you again; it's a collection of my newspaper/blog columns (yes, some you can read here) .
4) My next short-story book will be published in a week or two; more "dog tales"
In any case, whether you have an e-book reader or not, you can download these books to many other devices (your iphone, your PC, your Blackberry, etc.). Also, please pass the links along to all on your "animal loving" list - be it via email, Facebook, word-of-mouth, whatever - as the snowball effect is what will make my work a success. I thank you so much in advance...
Zellwood
Devil's Moon
The Animal Advocate
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