10-19-2021, 12:02 AM
Hi Knot,
I went with the suggestion to focus more on Bucky.
not sure the added |(doggie) details have improved the piece, it's a much more sentimental read not and losing the 'half-hearted faith' has really weakened it, for me.
Sentimental, yes, though I now realize that the philosophical parts from previous versions were too blatant. Any time one describes a loving animal, the sentimentality is bound to show, but I thought any philosophical tone needed to be much, much subtler. Trust me, the sentimental angle could easily have been played to true Hallmark glory if I had wanted.
- Buck was black (with a white tie), later he had a 'graying snout'. I'm presuming a German Shepherd, which isn't really a 'big bear of a dog' (or are they?)
Yep. Black German Shepherd, white tie, graying snout, and topped out at about 90lbs: if you didn't know him, he could look terrifying
- We know he's a dog, why 'furry'?
Because he had a big, fat, lovable, furry head; failed to mention those cuddly, pointy ears.
- Why would you think his teeth 'menacing'?
I cut menacing because of the "implications" it conveyed, but when he flashed those teeth they certainly looked like they could do damage. But, hell, he'd gently pick up a kitten in those jaws (while it dug claws into his snout).
- What answer did you get?
The answer one gets when in the company of a kind, loyal animal who probably had more sense than I did. I could spell it out, but that would be explaining, and thus against the rules.
Was it In Dog We Trust?
Amen
I went with the suggestion to focus more on Bucky.
not sure the added |(doggie) details have improved the piece, it's a much more sentimental read not and losing the 'half-hearted faith' has really weakened it, for me.
Sentimental, yes, though I now realize that the philosophical parts from previous versions were too blatant. Any time one describes a loving animal, the sentimentality is bound to show, but I thought any philosophical tone needed to be much, much subtler. Trust me, the sentimental angle could easily have been played to true Hallmark glory if I had wanted.
- Buck was black (with a white tie), later he had a 'graying snout'. I'm presuming a German Shepherd, which isn't really a 'big bear of a dog' (or are they?)
Yep. Black German Shepherd, white tie, graying snout, and topped out at about 90lbs: if you didn't know him, he could look terrifying
- We know he's a dog, why 'furry'?
Because he had a big, fat, lovable, furry head; failed to mention those cuddly, pointy ears.
- Why would you think his teeth 'menacing'?
I cut menacing because of the "implications" it conveyed, but when he flashed those teeth they certainly looked like they could do damage. But, hell, he'd gently pick up a kitten in those jaws (while it dug claws into his snout).
- What answer did you get?
The answer one gets when in the company of a kind, loyal animal who probably had more sense than I did. I could spell it out, but that would be explaining, and thus against the rules.
Was it In Dog We Trust?
Amen