“What Pegman saw” is a weekly challenge based on Google Streetview. Using the location provided, you must write a piece of flash fiction of no more than 150 words. You can read the rules here. You can find today’s location on this page, from where you can also get the Inlinkz code. This week’s prompt is the Aosta Valley, Italy.
Image by Claudio Romeo from Pixabay
Informal Introduction
“Oskar, no! Out!”
The huge Alsatian barged into the gondola of the ski-lift, tail wagging happily. The door of the gondola slid shut.
I face-palmed.
Oskar licked the hand of the girl opposite. She was tall and slender, and long, dark-brown hair cascaded from under her casquette. Her amber eyes were merry and she was smiling.
“I’m sorry,” I stammered. “He’s not mine – he’s my landlady’s. He follows me everywhere!”
She laughed.
“I don’t mind,” she replied. “I like dogs.”
It took twenty minutes to take Oskar back to base and return.
To my surprise, the girl was waiting at the upper station. “Why don’t we ski down together?” she suggested.
We paused at the mountain restaurant halfway down.
“Can I buy you lunch?” I asked.
“Yes, please. This is my favourite restaurant!”
We ate. We drank. We talked. We had dinner that evening.
We’ve been married twenty years now.
Good dog! I love animals in fiction, especially when there’s humor involved. Great story.
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Dear Josh
Thank you for reading and commenting. Oskar was a real dog and he really did follow me into the telecabine one day. He also followed me into the supermarket. And the skating rink. In fact, just about everywhere! His favourite game was catching snowballs in his mouth. My kids adored him…
With very best wishes
Penny
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I had a dog named Oscar too. He could climb trees. Not an Alsatian, but a black and white border collie mix. It’s a good name for a dog
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Oskar the matchmaker! 🙂
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Dear Na’ama
Thank you for reading and commenting. Good things happen when Oskar is around!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Yay to Oskar! 🙂
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Oh, I likes that one! Great story… Here’s to Oskar, the matchmaker!
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Dear Bear
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed the story!
With very best wishes
Penny
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What a wonderful, uplifting story. Yesterday I heard a story about a dog on NPR. Just by being kind and loving and protective, he basically led a woman through several years of doubt and brought her out on the other side.
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Dear Lish
Thank you for reading and for your kind comment. There can be strong bond of love between a dog and a human, so I can well believe your story about the dog who saved the woman from depression.
With very best wishes
Penny
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I had a persistent cat like that. Never found me a mate! 🙂
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Dear Crispina
Thank you for reading and commenting. I think it’s perhaps as well that your cat never found you a mate – cats being notoriously promiscuous!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Oh well, that might explain my life … 🙂
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What a truly lovely story, Penny. A chance meeting that turned into years of companionship, thanks to that shaggy dog! Made me smile
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Dear Lynn
Thank you for reading and for your lovely comment. I fancied something sweet for Christmas! I’m delighted that it made you smile.
With very best wishes
Penny
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