In Memory Of A Great Dog...
- Krow Writer
- Aug 6
- 5 min read
It’s Writing Wednesday and another (long overdue) edition of the Writing Wednesday Blog. So, without further ado…
Ben Hur Lampman once said… “The one best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of its master.” I used this quote in my second novel “The Snowball Effect” after writing a chapter in the story that is loosely based on when I lost my dog, Sasha, back in 2008. Those words were as true back then as they are today almost 18 years later as last week’s Writing Wednesday ended with the passing of our companion and faithful friend, Tessie.
This little dog won me over on day one! We were the best of friends, thick as thieves, and she was one spoiled rotten little thing. I wouldn’t have had it any other way and if I had it to do all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.
When Tessie was still a puppy there was a funny incident that happened between her and the cat that we had, Me-a. The cat literally performed a wrestling splash style move on the poor thing, and it wasn’t an accident on the cat’s part… it was intentional.
As I was coming up with stories for my latest novel, I thought about this one and decided to write it as a play-by-play script. I think it turned out well. So, in my little dog’s honor to remember one of the many moments she gave us through the years, I present to you, from the upcoming novel, “30 Storeys” the story of the 8th Floor – The Wahenee Splash.
The Wahenee Splash
Family pets do some funny, and sometimes weird, things to one another. Describing what happened to one would be easy, but perhaps not as amusing as watching it happen. However, consider visualizing such an incident as a play-by-play call in a sporting event. Here’s the transcript of the incident.
BEGIN TRANSCRIPT.
Ken Englehart: Welcome everyone to MONDAY. NIGHT. PAW! I’m Ken Englehart alongside my broadcast partner Oswald “The Wizard” Henkle. Tonight, we are coming to you live from The Kitchen, here on the beautiful northeast side of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Oswald Henkle: Kenny, take a glance at this arena. A retro 1950s kitchen complete with a ceramic tile backsplash. Not sure what moron picked this putrid teal color, but it seems to work. Solid oak cabinets made with old German craftsmanship; granite countertops and modern stainless-steel appliances finish this fashion. It’s a shame; it could become a real mess in here tonight!
Ken Englehart: Messy is one way to put it with the potential mismatch we have here this evening.
Oswald Henkle: Potential mismatch?! What the hell are you smoking, Kenny?! This matchup is a mismatch of epic proportions, and I am talking, epic! If I were the challenger, I’d walk away. There’s no shame in it and no one would blame her.
Ken Englehart: Well, Oz, it doesn’t appear our challenger tonight is going to walk away as she makes her way to the ring. Let’s go down to our ring announcer, Allen Finkbeiner.
Allen Finkbeiner: The following matchup, scheduled for one fall, and it is for the House Pet Championship! In the ring is the challenger. She’s “The Pom Chi Cutie”, who hails from Hale, Michigan. Weighing in at five pounds… TESS-A-ROOO!
Oswald Henkle: Look at Tess-A-Roo, Kenny. Prancing around The Kitchen looking all cute and lovable. Makes me sick! It’s sad she’s oblivious to what awaits her.
Ken Englehart: Well, Oz, regardless, Tess-A-Roo signed up for this match. That Chihuahua spirit in her says she’s feisty and won’t back down from a challenge.
Oswald Henkle: She may have second thoughts about that as here comes the House Pet Champion.
Ken Englehart: Let’s go back down to our ring announcer.
Allen Finkbeiner: Approaching the ring, her opponent and reigning House Pet Champion of the World, “The Tortoise Shell Tabby”, hailing from Stanwood, Michigan, weighing in at twenty-three pounds, Momma Wahenee (pronounced Wah-He-Nee) … MIA!
Ken Englehart: My God, Oz! Check out the size of Momma Wahenee! She’s over four times the size of Tess-A-Roo. The challenger faces a hell of a tough uphill battle.
The starting bell sounds.
Ken Englehart: And with the sounding of the bell, the match is underway. Mia has yet to enter the ring, Oz. What do you make of it?
Oswald Henkle: Its psychological warfare by the champion, Kenny. She’s sitting outside the ring, crouching, waiting for the right moment to make her move. Meanwhile, her opponent, Tess-A-Roo, prances around the ring, wanting to play.
Ken Englehart: I don’t think Mia is in a playing mood tonight, Oz.
Oswald Henkle: Kenny, when this is all done, Tess-A-Roo will wish Mia wanted to…
Ken Englehart: (Interrupting) Here comes the champion, running full speed into the ring! She looks like she is charging the challenger. Tess-A-Roo barks at Mia but she’s not fazed in the least. She leaps into the air.
Oswald Henkle: She’s going to the countertop, Kenny, to gain the higher ground!
Ken Englehart: WAIT A MINUTE, OZ! She isn’t going to higher ground! Mia is using the countertop as a springboard. Now in midair, she flattens herself and comes crashing down on the unsuspecting challenger!
Oswald Henkle: IT’S THE WAHENEE SPLASH! Mia nailed it out of nowhere! Tess-A-Roo is out of there!
Tess-A-Roo’s eyes bug out from their sockets, and she yelps as Mia lands on top of her, squashing her hard and pinning her to the floor.
The referee calls for the bell.
The bell rings.
Allen Finkbeiner: Here is your winner, and STILL House Pet Champion, Momma Wahenee…MIA!
Momma Wahenee Mia exits the ring like nothing ever happened. Turning, she watches as her flattened opponent attempts to get up, seeing stars. Satisfaction is her reward this evening, and she relishes it as she struts away.
Ken Englehart: This one was over in a heartbeat, Oz!
Oswald Henkle: It wasn’t even a beat, Kenny! This one was over before it started. Great tactics by the champion.
Oswald provides commentary while the replay is being shown.
Oswald Henkle: Momma Wahenee sits outside the ring. Patiently waiting for the perfect opportunity. As it arrives, she charges her opponent but fakes her out at the last second. She leaps to the countertop and uses it to execute a perfect Wahenee Splash, squashing the life out of the challenger. Match over!
Ken Englehart: Tess-A-Roo makes her way out of the ring, still in a daze. An exciting, albeit short, championship match here tonight. We’ll take a break with some words from your local pet suppliers. More Monday Night Paw is on the way…NEXT!
CUT FOR COMMERCIAL.
END TRANSCRIPT.
Until next time my friends...
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