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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#41: Fuzzy Friends (or Foes?)

Hey, writers! I'm Tracy Gold, an editor, writer, and mom to a toddler, horse, and dog. And this week, I'm taking over Reedsy Prompts!

As an editor, I've enjoyed working on young adult fiction (like Amanda Searcy's Watch You Burn), non-fiction (like Gary Vikan's The Holy Shroud), and sci-fi/fantasy (like Nikki Richard's Demon in the Whitelands). Visit my Reedsy profile to learn more about me and my work!

My theme for this week is "fuzzy friends." From Hedwig in the Harry Potter series to Enzo in the The Art of Racing in the Rain, nothing captures hearts like a beloved animal. Animals can be powerful antagonists, too: just look at Jurassic Park! Perhaps what I love most about books featuring fuzzy friends (or foes) is that they mine the depths of the human heart by exploring how we interact with animals. I hope these prompts help you sniff out a good story!

This week's prompts

Write about an animal who changes a person's life (for better or worse).

Kids – 232 stories

Write about an animal species that doesn't exist in real life — an alien, new discovery, imaginary creature — it's up to your interpretation!

Middle School – 145 stories

Write about an animal who goes on a journey.

Kids – 69 stories

Write a story featuring an animal who subverts expectations (like a snuggly tiger, or something more magical, like a literal fish out of water).

Kids – 69 stories

Write about an animal who causes a huge problem.

Middle School – 99 stories

Stories

“St-stop it!” by Cal Emery

Submitted to Contest #41

Rover looked up from his bed on the ground. Noah looked up from his seat at the kitchen table. ‘’Who’s he?’’ Noah asked, scrunching his eyebrows like he always used to do when he asked a question. When no one answered, he started to get frantic.‘’Momma, momma, who’s he?’’ He started shaking, grating his fingernails along the light wood of the table, leaving little marks that he knew he’d be in trouble for later. There was still no answer, not even a sound. It was as if no one was home. ‘’Momma, MOMMA!’’ He was crying now, where wer...

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“For the Love of Dog” by Mr Jingo

Submitted to Contest #41

The first time I saw Austin’s dog, she stood unaccompanied atop a hill near Austin’s house, her body bathed in the orange glow of sunset. She was a golden lab named Ven.“Isn’t it cool!” Austin exclaimed.Austin had just picked her up from the pound that day. We were still kids. The social gap between us wasn’t nearly as obvious.“Yep,” I replied, “she’s brilliant.”I hung out more with Austin after that day, and, by extension, with Ven. It was fun to pretend that she was mine, at least for a while. I lived just next door, yet my family didn’t h...

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“A Monster in Lucas's Closet” by C.B. Smith

Submitted to Contest #41

Dr. Freindlirg’s office is small and cramped, filled with an assortment of puzzles, board games and toys. Along the walls are posters starring an array of various cartoon characters; each of them spouting motivational advice in speech bubbles. Some are placed along charts showcasing different levels of stress or anxiety. One in particular shows the evolution of monsters along side their respective emotions. A fire breathing lizard is mildly annoyed while it’s last form is of a large dragon next to a word in large fire emblazoned letter...

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“Boshintang’s Office Hours” by James Offenha

Submitted to Contest #41

Because he’s a therapy dog. That’s why I’m taking him to Panera Bread, church, work, to woodwork, to college classes, to wherever : because he’s a therapy dog. In my right pocket is my wallet and in my wallet is the legal card which says, “Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Sharing Smiles and Joy TM (registered trade mark) Ford Sight (that’s my name). Member ID: 48204. Expiration Date: 12/31/18. P. ...

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“Emily Wiggins Has An Adventure” by Zanna T Laws

Submitted to Contest #41

EMILY WIGGINS HAS AN ADVENTUREbyZANNA T. LAWS Emily Wiggins was big, plump and cuddly. ...

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“Night Owl” by LeighAnne Ferreol

Submitted to Contest #41

All thoughts faded from my mind, I felt the hazy darkness of sleep begin to consume me. My bed was warm and soft, I snuggled up beneath the comforter. Pure bliss. A loud shriek filled the air. I bolted upright in bed. It came from near the window. Then I heard it again. The sleepiness I felt moments ago turned to pure rage. “Shut up!” I shouted. “Jim, what the hell are you shouting about so late,” my wife asked, annoyed. It seems my shouting woke her. “It’s that damn bird again!” As if on cue, the owl screeched again. Vee let out a big...

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“Karma” by Jane Doe

Submitted to Contest #41

It was May Fourth, 1970 when that dog had the audacity to grace my welcome mat. He was a real scruffy one, a real mean look about him. I smoked my cigar slowly, exhaling, and studying the dog. It'd been a few years since my husband died, and I lived alone. I just wanna make one thing clear before I continue. This ain't 'sad old woman lives alone and finds solace in a dog that appears at her doorstep.' This dog was not your regular Max or Rufus or whatever pedestrian names y'all call your idiot tale chasing beasts. This dog was a devil sent ...

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“See with the Eye” by CARLOS MANUEL EUSOYA

Submitted to Contest #41

“Tell me a story, okaasan.”“Not a long time ago, a man lived happily with his dog Hachiko. They loved each other; the dog was more compassionate towards him than any companion could be. And when the man died, the dog stayed at the train station, awaiting his return.”“How long did he wait, Mom?”“Nine years.”“How come he never left? Didn’t he get tired?”“It was more than a partnership. It was love.”“Can animals love?”“Yes, Miko.”“How? Because they have hearts?”“Love does not come from the heart, nor the brain. It starts here.” Mom traced the w...

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“Against the grain” by Sara Blanch

Submitted to Contest #41

Violet tinged clouds scurried overhead as the crisp Autumn breeze taints the morning air with the subtle scents of peak hour. Smoggy exhaust mingles with the intoxicating smell of hot coffee and fried food as she waited for the city bus.Her eyes water from the rush of the passing traffic as she pulls her blazer tighter around her...another day as part of the mundane. The sounds of frenzied honking and lead-footed drivers only added to the unpleasant atmosphere.The sharp nudge of an elbow from the pudgy, impatient man beside her spurred her o...

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“Xavier” by Amy DeMatt

Submitted to Contest #41

I was taken from my mother when I was just a baby. Little did I know at the time that it was part of the great plan and that there was much more to my destiny than just being a little suckling pig on a little farm in the country. My first memory is of waking up warm, with my brothers and sisters, all nestled underneath my mother's arm. We pushed and prodded our way to get to her milk. It was warm and creamy, sweet, and it smelled just like my mother. I loved her. She was large and soft, and warm and protective. But that memory is a short one...

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“You changed my life little puppy” by Luke West

Submitted to Contest #41

Little puppy,He saved my life,He helped me express my feelings,Without him, I wouldn't be me,Little puppy,He is my world,How would I live without him,He keeps my secrets,Little puppy,He raises my spirits,He accepts me for meHe doesn't make any criticismsLittle puppy,He saved my life,His soft fur comforts my needs.He is a great puppy. The best I have ever met in my life. He opens up my emotions and sets them free. When I speak, he listens even if it takes a long time. If he smiles, I smile. He makes me happy. He's everything I need and a lot ...

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“Saying Goodbye” by Angela Tircuit

Submitted to Contest #41

Melissa packed up her belongings. She had lived in this house for five years. Five years worth of memories. Memories that were wonderful at the start. She wasn’t sure if that was a good thing. Maybe if they had been merely mediocre, then the last year of increasingly bad memories would be easier to handle. Things with James had started out like something out of a romcom. Or like something from A Hundred and One Dalmatians. Only instead of two dogs brin...

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“THE MASKED HUMANS” by RADIUS HAVWAALA

Submitted to Contest #41

THE MASKED HUMANS“Can you imagine?” Madam Vulture flapped her wings excitedly; “I have just lost my fourth child to these human beings.”“Why are you complaining?”Madam Eagle twisted her terrible beak. “Rumour has it that you deliberately allowed your kids to scrounge for food on the ground.”“But vulture also,” Madam Parrot came in with a dejected face. “Why would you do such a thing to your kids?“That is a damned lie,” Madam Vulture said angrily. “The boys never touched the ground at all. The wicked boy struck them with arrows while they wer...

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“Roy and the village drunk” by Adewumi Adewale

Submitted to Contest #41

Roy was not a perfect dog, it had its flaws.‘If I were to be human,’ it would say, ‘I would be better than “That man”’. ‘That man’ was Roy`s name for the man who placed the seal of ownership on its head. Akande had butted its rump out of the house in the morning. No food was given as usual. It was expected to roam around the village in search of food. Koma was a small village. It usually took Roy less than thirty-minutes to roam the whole village twice. Roy had habitually roamed the village twice, there was no trace of l...

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“Stupid Dog” by Lynn Marie Gould

Submitted to Contest #41

I could have killed him. We talked about it but we never agreed. But here I am, just got home from work and I’m greeted by this stupid little dog at the top of the stairs. I’m in total disbelief. I cannot believe he went behind my back and brought home a puppy. “What the hell are you doing here?” I say as I stare into the brown beady eyes of this stupid dog. I scream for my husband “Charlie!’ Of course he doesn’t answer me. “Charlie! So help me god you better answer me!” I exclaim, the ears of the stupid little fuzzy ball perk up. “oh n...

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$50

Prize money

614

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - May 15, 2020 EST

Won by Jack Basson 🏆

Title: A Cat of Ganymede

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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