Trick and Shadow

A morning in the pueblo with my dogs.

Trick and Shadow wake me up by wrestling on the dirt floor of the shack where we live. I stir and they both sit, side by side, staring at me. I smile and greet them. Shadows tail wags and Trick wiggles his stump. I pull the latch on the door and it creaks as it swings open on its own. The dogs tear past me and begin chasing the chickens out of the yard. The dawn in winter here is cold and I stamp my bare feet to get circulation as I light the burner on the dilapidated camp stove. I put on water for coffee and get dressed. Trick has a chicken cornered behind a small tree in the yard so I give him the "stop that" whistle. He gives me a look of disgust and lays in the first sun rays, sulking.

 

After coffee, I roll a fat joint and unlock the chain on the front gate. It does not swing open. It is sagging badly and I drag it open as Trick and Shadow tear past me into the street. Trick is a big boxer with a tiny brain and he prances down the sandy street, provoking all the other yard dogs to bark wildly, warning him not to come near. Which, of course, he does. I walk to the corner and stand under the big tree. My friend, Nellis walks up and we stand for a while, enjoying the morning being born, and the agriproducto de Sinaloa.

 

Other dogs have arrived at the intersection and they play and do all the other things dogs do. Except fight. Not today anyway. Bueno. Shadow comes over and sits by me as Nellis and I discuss making a short trip in his little boat to pull our crab nets. Its kinda windy, we're thinking.

 

Now a tourist comes up the street. A Geubacho, a north american.

Good morning, I say.

Buenas dias, he says.

Como estas? I ask.

Good, and you? he returns to English.

Oranges, I reply, nothin' but Oranges.

 He is visiting from Canada. He wants to buy some fresh fish, crab or shrimp.

We have all that, says Nellis.

The North American points at Shadow sitting politely by my side, looking beautiful in her shiny black coat with discreet silver flecks.

Is this your dog? he asks.

All these dogs are his. says Nellis.................

 

Author's Note

I am attempting to give the reader a glimpse of my world.

Reviews

[Nicole Hellene]

You know I haven't read one of these in a long time. There's no real message, allusion, trick or much of a hidden meaning for the reader to disipher or something hidden that the ending reveals, it truly is just a snippet of life for the reader to do with it what they will. Very nice, thank you very much, a glimpse of this world is fine and entertaining glimpse indeed.

[Constance]

This is truly a glimpse of your world, I see. I love it. :)
I used to smoke a little "agriproducto" myself, long ago. If it didn't give me panic attacks, and wasn't illegal here in the states, I probably still would. Talk about inspirational thoughts...
LOL

[Dirk]

You have, indeed, given me a glimpse of your world, Tony. Your writing in this story is very detailed, and I appreciate that. I love your descriptions of Trick and Shadow as they enjoy their morning activities. I can clearly tell that you love your dogs. I like that.

[Lloyd]

Awesome piece, It really hits after you read the 'Author's Note'

this made me smile when i read the dogs antics.. i really liked it

[Raef C. Boylan]

Thanks so much for the 'glimpse of your world'; this is a pleasant read. Without over-describing, you paint the scenes vividly for us, and we learn a lot about the narrator's life in a short space. As one of the reviewers below says, you tell us things about personality - dogs and people - without having to spell it out.
I'd like to see a few more excerpts like this, about other parts of the day, because you write it up well.

Thanks for posting this.

p.s. spotted 2 typos:
"Shadows tail wags" [Shadow's]
"Its kinda windy, we're thinking." [It's]

[sconzey]

The simple joy of companionship, elegantly conveyed.

[Tonya (the Night Writer..]

This does show a lot about you in the smallest interactions with dogs and neighbors. Sometimes the simplest things can share a lot about personalities.