Comment from karenina

Excellent

Oh! Well, this gave me the willies! Nice flash that lit the fire and fanned it to a flame right quick! Kind of makes me wish all those "bad guys" got the "Doberman Welcome." I arrived late ~ but congratulations on third place!

Karenina

 Comment Written 09-Feb-2023

---

reply by the author on 09-Feb-2023

Thank you ma'am! I appreciate your reading it!

reply by karenina on 09-Feb-2023

My pleasure. And how the devil dog was I not your fan? I've corrected that error! :)

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

This is a good smart dog story. He sensed something was wrong and was prepared for it. There is a lot of story in very few words. Too bad people aren't as sensitive as Dobermans.

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2023

---

reply by the author on 04-Feb-2023

Thanks, Carol. Another word for sensitive (in this case) is smart. (Too bad people aren't as ...)

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Great job telling this flash fiction from the Doberman's perspective. We don't know anything about Jake except that he's on alert and keeping guard. Best wishes in the contest!

Comment:
In the paragraph starting with "Sure enough, a little later," since both the man and Jake are male, it was a little confusing upon my first reading to know which "he'' was which.

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2023

---

reply by the author on 04-Feb-2023

thanks, will fix it.

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

You did a great job with your contest entry, Pome Lover.
Your entry was filled with intrigue and action. Your words
painted a great picture for readers. I could see everything
as I read. You led me to believe Jake was the owner of the
house. Great twist having him be a watchdog.
Thanks for sharing and best wishes in the contest, Jan

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2023

---

reply by the author on 03-Feb-2023

Thanks so much, Jan for your neat comments. I'm glad I surprised you.

Comment from Anne Johnston

Excellent

Your flash fiction story is well done. It builds up to a climax, and shows us what is happening rather than telling. Then what a great surprise ending -
Jake is a dog.

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2023

---

reply by the author on 03-Feb-2023

thank you so much

Comment from judiverse

Excellent

Oh, I love the ending of this. You did a great job leading up to the surprise. This dog has been in the military, so he's on the alert just as he's been trained. The Doberman make great guard dogs (I remember those form Magnum, PI) but I wouldn't want to get too close to one. Best of luck in the contest with this great entry. judi

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2023

---

reply by the author on 03-Feb-2023

thanks, Judi!!!

reply by judiverse on 03-Feb-2023

You're welcome. I see you're up there in the story of the month voting. Good for you, and best of luck. judi

reply by the author on 04-Feb-2023

thanks so much. I'm a'tryin' :)

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

Well, I never saw this coming, lol! It sounds like Jake has taken on the role of neighborhood watch dog since coming back from a war zone. I'd love to have him in my neighborhood - we'd all sleep better at night.

Great entry for this contest.

Pam

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2023

---

reply by the author on 03-Feb-2023

thanks, Pam. yeah, I'd like for a neighbor to have him :)

Comment from Teri7

Excellent

This is a really great Flash Fiction story you have penned. You had me sitting on the edge of my seat wondering about Jake and thinking he was a guy, not a dog! lol Very good job. Best wishes in the contest. Teri

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2023

---

reply by the author on 03-Feb-2023

thanks, Teri. I'm so glad I fooled you! :)

Comment from eliz100

Excellent

I enjoyed reading your story. It does have a surprise ending. I sure expected a man and not a dog. I do not see any room for improvement. Have a blessed day.

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2023

---

reply by the author on 03-Feb-2023

thanks and I'm glad it was a surprise!

Comment from Mary Shifman

Excellent

This is really good. I was totally surprised that Jake turned out to be as Doberman. I thought he was a man until the very end. You did a great job with this one. Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2023

---

reply by the author on 03-Feb-2023

Thank you, Mary. I hoped it would be a surprise.

reply by Mary Shifman on 04-Feb-2023

You are welcome.