D. A. Blankinship's Short Stories and Poetry

Arrangements (PG-13)

Turkey club or Reuben? A sandwich mix up leads a dying man to re-evaluate his life and ideas about the perfect day.

Jewel's Friends (PG-13)

Jewel is a young girl enduring a harsh childhood in an isolated area. A very lonely girl, Jewel copes by unquestioningly obeying her alcoholic father. After learning that a large wolf pack is nearby, Jewel becomes concerned for the welfare of a stray mother dog and her helpless newborn puppies. Jewel promises to protect them from harm, even if that means disobeying her father. Life sometimes turns out all right, even when times are desperate and you have some very unusual friends.

Wishing for Secrets (PG)

A young boy’s desire to know more about life, drives him on a quest to learn secrets; however, his birthday wishes reveal to him that nothing was ever hidden.

The Trial (PG-13)

A judge, a jury, and an accused man seek justice; yet, with so many crimes, so many victims, and so many reasons, can anyone determine the punishment?

Justice for All (PG-13)

She lived an ordinary life until the night a man ruthlessly mugged her. For the past two months, she has awakened each morning terrified by the possibility that he is in her home. She spends each moment of her day wanting to even the score: she wants to hurt him as deeply as he hurt her. She wants justice. The authorities have done nothing, so when she learns it is possible to make things right, she begins her life-changing quest for revenge.

The Mystic (PG)

Senator and Mrs. LeGrand have dreams of becoming the next occupants of the Whitehouse. On a rainy evening, in a most unlikely place, they meet the woman who can make their dream come true.

If you have ever known a dog who read your mind or anticipated your moves, then you know how strong a bond can be between people and dogs. I titled this poem "A Cherished Companion" because he was my companion. For years he laid next to my chair in the office while I wrote stories. I still miss him.

A Cherished Companion

D. A. Blankinship

We saw you first, on an April day;
We chose you and took you away.
We packed you up, into the car,
Drove down the road, to a place, afar.

We carried you in, to a house all new;
You sniffed and searched, for another like you.
Food and water and a chewy bone,
There wasn't a moment when you were alone.

You wept that night, whimpered so sad,
We heard your grief, missing mom and dad.
You thought you were abandoned, a lonely time,
We whispered assurances, you would be fine.

Weeks and months passed, you played and grew,
We were the pack, with so much to do.
We formed a strong bond, people and place,
We knew your mood by the look on your face.

You watched the house when we were away,
When we arrived home, grab the Kong, let's play.
We shared steaks and broccoli, other strange foods
You studied us and you knew our moods.

We moved across country, we traveled for days,
You were always impatient to be on your way.
We'd park at the rest stops, for drinks, runs, and pee,
You'd pace by the car, let's go was your plea!

A new home and smells, grass, shrubs, and trees,
So many things: squirrels, birds, wasps, and bees.
You chased all the critters that dared to trespass,
Running rings around trees, muddy paths in the grass.

Time seemed eternal, idyllic, no end;
No one could see the end of this friend.
On a cool spring morning, we called, you delayed;
Rushed to the hospital, surgery, you stayed.

Days and weeks passed, as you slipped away;
No chasing the Kong, you were too weak to play.
Your eyes twinkled love, now you assured me,
We knew you were leaving, but how could that be?

We had scratched your belly and tickled your ears,
We had watched you grow older for more than eight years.
We had watched you swim, saw you smile and frown;
Now we watched you fail, as your body shut down.

Shouldn't great dogs have a life without end?
Isn't this a reward we would give to a friend?
The house seems less lively; he's not at the door.
But, he's not really gone; just not here anymore.

In March 2008, we added two German Shepherd puppies to our family. The picture below shows how cute they were at 15 weeks (Crusoe on the left; Ruger on the right). If you have raised puppies, you may see them in this ballad. If you have never dealt with puppies, this ballad will give you a hint at the frustrations and joys of raising puppies. I would not trade the experience. Today, they weigh about 100 pounds each; yet, we still call them "the little guys." A picture of them at 1 year of age appears at the bottom of this ballad (Ruger on the left; Crusoe on the right).

The Ballad of Crusoe and Ruger

D. A. Blankinship

Hyper in the morning, and they’re fussing to get out;
Knock each other over as they scamper all about.
Rushing to get outside, then they lay beneath a tree,
And I stand there asking, “Have you forgotten how to pee?”

Crusoe and Ruger they are brothers in a race,
They know what really matters is goin’ in the right place.
They eat and poop and run and bark and drink all through the day,
And even though it’s late at night, they don’t want sleep, just play.

Spent the morning in their kennels and it’s time to gulp some chow;
So they run around the kitchen spill their water--"grab a towel!"
Then they race out to the backyard and they try to catch a bird,
Then they pause for just a moment they both squat and wag their tails.

It’s afternoon and raining and nature calls out loud;
Lightening and thunder, rain pours down from the clouds.
But, these two happy puppies run fearless through the door,
They return in fifteen minutes, scattering mud across the floor.

It’s evening and it’s quiet so the pups must be outside.
They run and dig and bark and bite, and when we call, they hide.
They know it’s dark, it’s bedtime; they want to play, they’re pups.
Still they run into their kennels, piece of hot dog, snap it up!

Crusoe and Ruger they are brothers in a race,
They know what really matters is goin’ in the right place.
They eat and poop and run and bark and drink all through the day,
And even though it’s late at night, they don’t want sleep, just play.