Copyright: Bjorn Rudberg
“Sod off.”
George doesn’t do Christmas; the dog evidently does.
The food parcel left on George’s step by do-gooders has been strewn across the garden, only the cans unsullied by teeth marks.
There’s a label stuck to a tinsel garland round the mutt’s neck.
“Unwanted Christmas Gift.”
“Too right, buddy,” growls George, shutting the door.
He turns up the television to drown the whining outside, but at bedtime the dog is curled up on the now icy step.
“Git your ass in here then, but it’s just one night, understand?”
The dog understands; he can read humans.
That’s why he’s here.
See I can do happy! 🙂 Merry Christmas to all writing friends and colleagues. In whichever way you choose to celebrate, make it a special one. And thanks once again to Rochelle, our genial hostess, and the fairy on top of the Friday Fictioneers’ Christmas tree.
castelsarrasin 
Dear Sandra,
Ooh, I like being the fairy atop the tree. 😉 With sparkly wings of course.
Yeah…just for one night. Very sweet story. I’m sure these two are going to be good for each other.
Well written as always.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Off to the shops to get the wings right now. 🙂
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how beautifully you conclude your stories, i do envy you, congrats
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Thank you! 🙂
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Well-crafted tale, expertly written as always.
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Thank you Elephant. Merry Christmas.
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You are a great story teller, Sandra.
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Thanks Sue, Merry Christmas!
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And Merry Christmas to you!
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Sandra, You can indeed do happy! I loved that story. The dog has won that guy over already and knows it even though the man doesn’t. 🙂 Well written as always. Happy Holidays! 🙂 — Suzanne
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Happy holidays to you to Suzanne. Thank you for reading.
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This could be the beginning of one of those feel-good movies.. love what the dog might do to George.. I think it’s just the beginning, and it made me happy to read 🙂
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I don’t usually make people happy Bjorn! Thank you!
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That says a lot in less than 100 words.
Season greetings.
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Thank you! Happy holidays!
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I agree. Animals can read people, Enjoyed the dialogue and the ending of the story.
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I think I’ve been read from cover to cover, Roger. 🙂 Cheers!
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Thanks for another year of your stories. Merry Christmas to all on the barge!
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Thanks Paul, Merry Christmas to you too. 🙂
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Merry Christmas, and that’s a fine story to celebrate with!
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Thanks Bill. All the best to you and Janet. 🙂
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This sounds very much like the way a persistent 6-pound package of fur and claws turned me into a “cat person.” Who can leave a sweet fur baby out in the weather?
Lovely Christmas story, Sandra.
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
All my best,
Marie Gail
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Thanks Marie Gail, hope you have a lovely festive season too.
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George is my kind a guy, a crusty old curmudgeon. Wonder what he’ll name the ornery mutt–Shithead? I predict this Christmas story is destined to become a classic. We can cast Doug to play George in the movie version and Perry can portray the dog. You can be the hot neighbor lady next door. How does that sound?
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Sounds like inspired casting to me Russell. And no couch involved, I take it? All the best for the season to you and yours.
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Well, I suspect there is nothing for anyone to say after gayer’s comments – that is, if you can pull up your jaw after it has dropped down to the floor as hard as it has.
I was simply going to say “woof. woof.” and see if George would take me in, too.
happy holidays to you, George, and I guess the “shithead.” (ugh, what a name!).
Randy
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Thank you Randy, lots of woof at Christmas. 🙂
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Oh and that made me so happy! 🙂 Rochelle is the “purple” fairy on top of the “purple” Christmas tree. 😀 Merry Christmas Sandra! Love your story (as always!)
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I suspect she’s glittering away this Christmas morning. Thanks for dropping by.
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Very sweet story Sandra. Merry Christmas.
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Thank you Indira, seasons greetings to you too!
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Smart dog. I am glad it ended on a pawsitive note and not a ruff ending.
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🙂 🙂
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I love this POV
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Thanks Dawn, hope you enjoyed your Christmas.
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what a beautiful christmas story. truly enjoyed it. happy holidays.
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And the same to you, thank you for visiting.
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Very well done Christmas tale.
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Thank you!
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Very Scrooge-ish twist to it. Lovely.
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I was thinking of calling it “Bah Humbug” actually. 🙂 Thanks for reading Patrick.
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It sounds to me like they’re going to become firm friends (though George will never admit it, of course!).
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I hope so. Hope you had a nice Christmas.
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A happy story that starts off with “sod off” and a mess left by the dog. Nice ending—poor dog.
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Woof woof. Canines can understand humans. and Guess it’s not for one night……………
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Or for Christmas either. I hope they’ll be happy together.
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I like the subtle relationship you built between the man and dog and each of their personalities, Sandra. That’s evidently one smart dog. I hope you had a good Christmas. 🙂
-David
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Lovely David. Hope you did too. Thanks for reading.
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Two lonely souls who need each other, I suspect. A match made in heaven. Lovely story.
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Thank you Margaret 🙂
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This is lovely. My heart always goes out to “unwanted” animals. That’s how we got our cat – Freya. Wonderful take on the sod. Happy New Year.
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Ah! you were adopted. 🙂 Thanks for reading Alicia.
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Awww, that dog is going to be curled up at the foot of his bed in no time! Great story. How can you turn down a cold dog? I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Sandra!
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I hope you enjoyed your Christmas Amy. Thanks for reading.
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🙂 Well, there ya have it – a lifelong friendship.
Happy Holidays, Sandra!
Ellespeth
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Indeed. 🙂 Same to you Ellespeth.
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Bless! Loved it 🙂
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Thanks Liz. Hope you enjoyed your Christmas.
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You bring a tear to my beady little eye, Sandra, really.
Is it okay that somebody from Virginia adopts “Sod off!” Regardless, I’m going to add it immediately to my repertoire. And, good girl, in the true spirit of Christmas, nobody got bumped off! Fa La La!!
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I’m not altogether sure that “sod off” would be useful addition to the vocabulary of a nice girl from Virginia. I’ll try to think of something more … er … ladylike. Just sharpening the knives and mixing up the poison ready for the New Year, Barbara. Hope you had a lovely Christmas.
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Oh no, Steel Magnolias need a little unexpected ammunition in their verbal bag of tricks. I think it is awesome and I can’t wait to use it! I’ll add my brilliant British accent while doing so. And I’m eager to read just who meets their bitter end in Sandra’s world this coming year.
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It seems so bittersweet, and yet heartwarming at the same time. It was a little bit hard to understand at first reading, but after a few rereads I had it.
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Thank you for persevering Grace. 🙂
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The ending could go in any direction. I love the mystery of it. I would love to discover why the dog really came.
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I think he sniffed out a lonely soul, Joseph. 🙂 Hope you had a lovely Christmas.
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It was wonderful I hope the New Year finds you greatly blessed!
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Wonderful story, for some reason makes me think of The Gift of the Magi. You never disappoint, Sandra!
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Who can say no to a mutt! I’m like George. 🙂
Lily
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Clearly, you do happy very well, Sandra! Loved this one. I enjoyed George’s curmudeony approach to the entire situation.
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Great – very clever little story.
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What a lovely and perfectly timed Christmas tale! 🙂
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Thank you Judee. Hope you had a good one.
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