Two headed horse tails

Wheels Up!

Two of a kind

I stared at the veterinarian, with eyes of sore wonder.

“What d’you mean you didn’t put her down?”

“Your dog showed signs of wanting to live; I can’t explain it better,” the gowned woman shrugged.

“But I payed you, and I already said my goodbyes; I can’t do this again!”

During the last three years, I took care of a crippled and incontinent dog. Days of my life were sacrificed for her. So many days. I thought I had borne my cross long enough. I had hope for deliverance.

When is it going to stop? I can’t do that anymore.

You’ve probably surmised my heart is smaller than most — don’t dazzle over my labors for Shmoozie. Her three wheels for legs match my own two useless ones. A ladder accident made me and Shmooz “twinsies”. We’d both fallen that day, she being the dog who once did everything with me.

“Schmooz! So glad you’re back!”

She looks at me with her usual piercing eyes, reprobating.

“Sorry. I’m tired, Schmooz. I love you, but we both know there’s no miracle for us in the book.”

Schmooz licks my face. “What about writing the book?” she seems to say. One can dream.

“Click”

I know the sound somehow before looking up.

“Wheel away from her,” the now-iced voice of the dog-medic holding a handgun.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“You’ve always rubbed noses with Schmooz each time I’ve brought her back to you. I know what you’re planning!”

Sadness.

So, this is our exit? I’ll take it. I look at Schmooz. You in? We doing this? Hoolliganing our way out like we used to?

Small woof, ears up. She’s in.

With Schmooz on my laps, I reach for my wallet in my inside pocket and wheel forward. Full speed.

This story was co-written by Fox (the artist) and Smillew (top writer in satire).

It was our 24th tale! Here are the previous ones:

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7| Part 8| Part 9| Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13| Part 14| Part 15| Part 16| Part 17| Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20| Part 21| Part 22| Part 23

We call the concept the Two Headed Horse Tails.

As Fox (poet and digital art expert) describes it, Two Headed Horse Tails can be a tug of war. Two people (one of them could be YOU) are trying to get a tale into the corral, sometimes even against each other’s will.

Here are the rules (follow them or break them):

• 300 words total.
• Someone starts and writes 50 words. Then the other takes the lead and writes 50 more. Till the 300 count is reached.
• You can switch back and forth as to who starts the piece. (or not! We do.)

What about finding yourself another horse writer and giving it a try?

And now, a commercial for the publication — Microcosm. Tell us a tiny tale, filled with heart.