Win Cash Prizes & Get Professional Feedback @ Flash Fiction Magazine
Learn More
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

101 Words

101 Word Short Stories

  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Volunteer

Barking Mad

February 29, 2020 8 Comments

Barking Mad

By Anna Sanderson

Though mutual, the decision went unspoken. Agreed upon with only the shifty sideways glances and barely visible nods that now passed for acceptable communication between husband and wife.

Tim and I knew the situation was less than ideal, but neither of us wanted to be a part-time parent. Missing out on milestones; making do with occasional weekend excursions to the park.

When times were particularly tough, I consoled myself with the bittersweet thought that it would only be for a few more years. But I won’t pretend it was easy. It’s just not a good idea, staying together for the dog.

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

The Power of Imagery with Nina Schuyler

September 12 & 13 on Zoom
Enrollment closes Thursday, September 3 at 7:00 PM Pacific

If your descriptions are vivid but your stories still feel thin, this workshop is for you.

Join award-winning author Nina Schuyler to learn the difference between description, which tells a reader what things look like, and imagery, which carries plot, character, and meaning at the same time.

In just two days, you'll learn to choose images that hold emotion without naming it, pair them so each one deepens the other, and build patterns that gather meaning as the story moves.

Learn More and Enroll

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rob Goss says

    February 29, 2020 at 6:43 am

    This is great…and I could imagine myself doing the same as this couple. “Shifty sideways glances” is a lovely turn of phrase.

    Reply
  2. lisafriedlanderlicsw says

    February 29, 2020 at 7:52 am

    Doggy love is powerful. Would be great if humans could always wag their tails at each other and forgive so easily. We wag tales at each other instead.

    Reply
  3. Tom Stewart says

    February 29, 2020 at 8:09 am

    Clever story. Love the turn.

    Reply
  4. Cathy Cade says

    February 29, 2020 at 8:33 am

    I can relate to this. . . but the kids had left home and I got the dogs!

    Reply
  5. Rosemary Johnson says

    February 29, 2020 at 10:42 am

    Great stuff. You misled us right up to the last line.

    Reply
  6. Derek McMillan says

    February 29, 2020 at 2:29 pm

    I wouldn’t dare say dogs are preferable to children. Not out loud. I enjoyed the twist is the tail.

    Reply
  7. rolandmiles says

    March 1, 2020 at 6:11 am

    Immediate appeal. Deserves an anthology placing.

    Reply
  8. K8Ghost says

    March 2, 2020 at 8:10 pm

    Irreconcilable Differences with a puppy twist. Nicely done.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search Stories

The end.