A Walk In The Woods
Old Red had gone into these woods and hadn’t come out. The Cherokee feared the worst. These woodlands were thick with bear, cougar and bobcat.
He found a good print on a game trail and tracked the dog deeper into the wilderness. When Old Red left the path, it was harder. In the leaf litter, there was not much sign.
Then he saw the mushroom, the broken stem pointing like a compass needle. He walked slowly and other signs appeared, bent blades of grass, an overturned stone.
But no dog. Exhausted, he headed home, and waiting there was Old Red.
bridgesareforburning 
Well, that figures! There’s a dog for you. I enjoyed your nice, simple story this morning. I felt I too was in the woods walking and looking for Old Red. Thank you for sharing.
~Susan (Here’s mine: http://www.susanwenzel.com/)
Ain’t that always the way? The damn dog is waiting for you! Fun story, Ron. 🙂
I am so glad you did that! Last week we lost Rascal, but this week we found Old Red.
That was a neat trick, as I had no idea The Cherokee was hunting an old dog. Very good detail of tracking also.
So good on you!
lindaura
hurray! A happy ending is just what I needed today, and I know the Cherokee feels a bit disgruntled, but I’m so glad he searched for Old Red. 🙂 And as Lindaura says, great tracking details.
Never underestimate canine navigatory prowess. I used to walk my dog in the fields near my old school, and me and my friends would sometimes try to get him lost, throwing a ball for him then running away and hiding. He found us every time. Years later the Mythbusters would try to do the same thing. I could’ve saved them a lot of time and resources.
Here’s my entry:
http://jaykayel.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/loose-lips-100-word-flash-fiction/
A very sweet story, the ending working very well after hope seemed lost.
Very nice – and SO like a dog! I loved your phrase, “the broken stem pointing like a compass needle” – a very good simile.
Here’s my story: http://wp.me/p24aJS-2F
I LOVED your story–one of my two favorites! The story captured my interest and drew me in AND the ending was P.E.R.F.E.C.T!!! Good job! Mine is at: vlgregory-circa1800.vpweb.com on the blog page.
Whoops! http://www.vlgregory-circa1800.vpweb.com — hope this gives the link access.
Very strong voice in this one, and I loved it. Also liked the broken mushroom pointing like a compass needle, lol, that’s what I saw in it, too and is what gave me the tracking idea. Great story!
Loved this. lol. Just like Old Red to be waiting at home. I bet his tail was wagging overtime and had a smirk on his face, knowing he sent his owner, Cherokee on a wild, goose chase. That broken mushroom’s compass needle should have been the clue and cue to go on home. Nice work. Looking forward to reading more from you. Here’s mine:
http://www.triplemoonstar.blogspot.com. Lora 🙂
Nice ending, I’m glad they both made it home.
Here is mine:
Sneaky dog! This was a great read. And you “read” the photo well. The ground looks too hard to leave too many prints. Great job!
The link to my drabble is: http://quillshiv.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/white-rot/
I’m so happy I read your piece. I could absolutely see Old Red wagging his tail and smiling to see his person come home.
Here’s mine:
http://threedescriptors.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/flash-fiction-4/
I really like this. I love the playfulness of the ending.
Hmmm… I have a dog just like that! 😉