IRON JOHN (and a little Millie)

My theme for the 2015 A-Z Challenge is first and last lines of favorite books and short stories. 

I is for

IRON JOHN by T. Powell Coltrin

IRON JOHN is a short-short story from my A-Z (2012) compilation titled Grim Tales from the Ruralhood. This story idea popped into my head after I heard a news story about a man who got himself stuck in quite the mess. 

First Line: "On the seventh day of a rain-filled week, Iron John saw the helicopter flying overhead as he counted cattle during his last check of the evening." 

End Line: "All law enforcement had to do was follow the screams of the man...." (Sorry, but I can't finish that sentence. It might give away the ending.)

Happy Anniversary, Millie! 

Millie a day after she came to live with me. 

Today Millie has lived with me for one year. Yes, at times it’s seemed like ten years. This morning as she rested her little face on my knee, I explained to her how grateful she should be not only because I “rescued” her from the shelter, but also for not actually pulling her razor sharp teeth, as I had threatened to do. (I even ran that idea by my vet who chuckled nervously and glanced at me side-eyed--I guess to see if I was serious.) 

Millie and her first kill. Aww.

I didn’t realize this until Dr. Lovely Daughter mentioned it, but Millie (nicknamed Poodle—don’t ask) used to have lots of brown and black hair mixed in with the white. She's more white now. I’m thinking my little Mal-Shi has grown up, OR, or I may have traded the bitey, ornery puppy for a nice dog. 

She's a dear! Really! 

“Millie, stop chewing on my leather purse!”

Happy Anniversary, Millie!