learningtosign
Sep 19 2006, 10:57 AM
in a fit of insanity, I'm taking the plunge
"It’s a love potion.”
“I don’t know…”
“Look, you want them to be happy, don’t you?”
“Y-y-yes…but…”
“But nothing. They aren’t figuring out their happiness on their own are they?”
“W-w-well, maybe they just need time.”
Brows arched in disbelief.
“Okay – maybe they need a little nudge in the right direction, but when I called you, I didn’t expect a…”
“Genie? You shouldn’t have rubbed the lamp then. Now, do you want your first wish to come true or not? Because I’d just like to get the three of them over and done with before enjoying another thousand year snooze if it’s all the same to you.”
‘I don’t think I did rub the lamp……….’
‘Trust me you did……… just a little rub from someone who wants wishes answered is all it takes…………’
yannick in my heart
Sep 19 2006, 11:36 AM
well i can't wait for you to start......is it time yet
silkvelvet2000
Sep 19 2006, 01:06 PM
Come on Cath, post again!!!
Sam
in breathless anticipation
LittleEm
Sep 19 2006, 03:58 PM
I'm so excited Cath! Can't wait until you get started!
Em
Levi_rocks
Sep 19 2006, 08:59 PM
I just know that this is going to be a great story!!!!
Blueangel
Sep 19 2006, 10:58 PM

Can't wait to see what's to happen. hope you update soon.
k80cue
Sep 20 2006, 03:07 AM
Yeah another story from Learningtosign - cant wait for you post the next chapter
learningtosign
Sep 20 2006, 03:43 AM
Chapter 1
‘But it wasn’t even a little rub……. I was in the antique shop with Sue when she mentioned the name of my second favourite person and I thought he’d walked in so I turned around and wagged my tail but he wasn’t there…….. and that was when my tail caught the lamp…….. I wasn’t rubbing, I was wagging…………’
‘A rub? A wag? It’s all the same to a sleeping Genie I tell you mate……..’
Even now the Genie was having trouble believing he’d been roused from his all too short slumber by a dog…….. and obviously a dog with attitude judging by the way Levi was eyeing him up.
Meanwhile Levi was having difficulty getting his brain around the fact that he was conversing with a Genie………. He’d often wished he could speak in a way which people would understand……. After all it worked for Lassie, but Sue and Jack, his two favourite people, remained totally clueless about anything he tried to tell them.
savgraceleland
Sep 20 2006, 04:17 AM
HEY A new story from Cath. I'm so excited.....
I love Levi, and the fact that he's the one who woke the Genie....priceless
Can't wait for more.
~laura michelle~
Rosa17
Sep 20 2006, 07:07 AM

Great a new story, sounds intriguing waiting for more
silkvelvet2000
Sep 20 2006, 07:52 AM
This great!!

So what is Levi's first wish going to be?...to talk or to get Jack and Sue together???
Sam
English_Chick
Sep 20 2006, 08:42 AM

Brilliant!! I love that its Levi that rubbed the lamp

Cant wait to see what he does ... there are quite a few things I can image my dog would wish for if he could, and I think bunnies and squirels and jaffa cakes would be the first three!!!!
tis*me!
Sep 20 2006, 09:07 AM
(Normally I would put bouncing smilies here) Woohoo! Another story from Cath!
I thought you said you probably weren't going to enter this Challenge?
Sometimes fits of insanity lead to good things.

A wonderful start! I love that it's Levi that rubbed the lamp! Can't wait to see where this leads!
(Can't wait til the board looks normal again either... I couldn't use my favorite bouncing smilies... Can't seem to figure out how to quote either.

)
Levi_rocks
Sep 20 2006, 01:26 PM
Fab start! I love the idea that it is Levi who is conversing with the genie!
suethomasfan2468
Sep 20 2006, 02:53 PM
Cath, what an original idea!!!!! I love that it's Levi, I can't wait for you to continue!!!
jen
suesfan
Sep 20 2006, 04:17 PM
Cath, this sounds very interesting already!! Levi has managed to do so much with his tail, but I never thought he would rub (wag) a lamp with a genie in it!!!
Joy
volleyballgirl
Sep 20 2006, 05:28 PM
Yay!!!!!! I just love your stories! Can't wait to find out what happens next!
Faith
Villagespirit
Sep 20 2006, 05:41 PM
Love the story line it looks like it is going to be really funny.
Cant wait for more
Dianna
Starbuck
Sep 20 2006, 07:34 PM
I like your technique - hearing the thoughts and perspective as they unravel. Keeps the action going.
More?
Kav
Sep 20 2006, 07:48 PM

This is me because I can't find the bouncing smilie, but just imagine my dogs and I sitting here wagging our tails in ecstatic joy at finding this gem tucked away here! A dog and three wishes might be a scary thing. Will Levi go for the greater good and wish for something profound or will bunnies and squirrels get the better of him? Congrats on being the first entrant in the Halloween Challenge!
kav
terie
Sep 20 2006, 08:09 PM
Wow! This is great. I always love a good Levi story!
thanks,
Terie
learningtosign
Sep 21 2006, 03:21 AM
Thank you for your replies
Chapter 2
‘OK…….. now we have established that you did indeed call me can we clarify your three wishes?’
‘Wish one……. Jack and Sue together forever………, wish two Tara and Bobby together………… wish three……….’
Levi took a deep breath before speaking, ‘wish three………. Myles and Lucy……’
The genie began to choke on an invisible fish bone before gathering his thoughts and squealing, ‘Myles and Lucy………? You cannot be serious………..’
Levi stared at him with a look of disdain, ‘you know you sounded just like John McEnroe then………..’
‘John McEnroe….? Who on earth is that……………?’
‘American tennis player….. tight shorts, awful hair cut and wore a red headband……….. if the umpire made a decision he didn’t like he’d throw his racket on the ground and scream ‘YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!……….. ‘
Levi raised his furry eyebrows at the Genie who looked totally bemused.
Watching the look of puzzlement on the Genies’ face Levi was reminded very much of Jack when the dimwit was trying to ask Sue out. However, although the Genie was scratching his head and opening his mouth a bit like Daveys’ goldfish he didn’t have the quirky smile or dark brown eyes which Jack possessed.
‘Tennis………? John McEnroe…..? Good grief what have I got myself in to?’ the Genie scratched his head furiously and rubbed his eyes, he’d only been awake an hour but already it felt like years.
‘Levi, my man………. my buddy……. we need to get back on track here…….. I have a plan…….. a cunning plan to achieve wish 1……. Wishes 2 and 3 may take a little longer………. I need time to think about them……’
Levi nodded wisely, ‘OK Mr Genie…. What is your cunning plan……..? Do you have a name…..? I can’t continue to call you Mr Genie………’
‘No……… I’m not usually around long enough to be given a name…….. it doesn’t usually take long to answer the more typical three wishes………. a handsome man……. or attractive woman depending on the sex of the person doing the rubbing………., lots of money, a good job, a nice house……….. the usual……… couldn’t you have rubbed the lamp next to mine……. You’d have got another Genie who has been asleep for a thousand years……..’
The Genie sighed in frustration; he’d been in the middle of a very wonderful dream when he’d been so rudely interrupted.
‘Well, since you’re going to be around for some time I’ll call you……….. Geoffrey.. ……. No, don’t like that name…….. err….. Graham…… nope……… Grenville…….. no, you don’t look like a Grenville……….. I know………. Gordon……… yeah, Gordon….. you remind me of the lovely little Scottish Terrier who lived in the kennel next to me….. Gordon it is……….’ Levi nodded his head in satisfaction.
‘An abusive tennis player and now a Scottish Terrier……. Any more insults you wish to throw my way?’ the genie huffed.
‘Can’t think of any right now’, Levi shook his head and grinned a big doggy grin.
‘You wanna hear my plan you big ball of fluff………?’
‘Proceed’ Levi answered, laying his head on his paws.
audiokim
Sep 21 2006, 05:24 AM
Three great wishes, Levi, old buddy!
Kim
silkvelvet2000
Sep 21 2006, 06:07 AM
Loved the wishes Levi!!! I think 1 and 2 will be easy compered to wish 3!!

Then again I think Gordon is going to have a rough time with wish 1 as well!!

Sam
giggles
Ivory
Sep 21 2006, 07:01 AM
Levi is certainly an unselfish dog. He could have wished for something for himself, like meeting a cute little friend of the golden retriever variety.
tis*me!
Sep 21 2006, 08:20 AM
A wonderful post Cath! Loved it!
suesfan
Sep 21 2006, 08:38 AM
This is going to be so much fun!!!
Joy
Oreolover
Sep 21 2006, 01:57 PM
Levi is quite a commical dog. I didn't know he had all that sarchasm in him.

Great work! Love the wishes.
Rosa17
Sep 21 2006, 03:42 PM
QUOTE
The genie began to choke on an invisible fish bone before gathering his thoughts and squealing, ‘Myles and Lucy………? You cannot be serious………..’
Great post this bit made me chuckle more than the rest
savgraceleland
Sep 21 2006, 03:56 PM
Cath I'm just lovin' this....
QUOTE
‘An abusive tennis player and now a Scottish Terrier……. Any more insults you wish to throw my way?’ the genie huffed.
~I'm sure Levi could come up with more....just give him some time.
QUOTE
Watching the look of puzzlement on the Genies’ face Levi was reminded very much of Jack when the dimwit was trying to ask Sue out. However, although the Genie was scratching his head and opening his mouth a bit like Daveys’ goldfish he didn’t have the quirky smile or dark brown eyes which Jack possessed.
~Love his view of Jack
QUOTE
‘Levi, my man………. my buddy……. we need to get back on track here…….. I have a plan…….. a cunning plan to achieve wish 1……. Wishes 2 and 3 may take a little longer………. I need time to think about them……’
~Come on Geine what's there to think about?
~laura michelle~
Levi_rocks
Sep 21 2006, 06:06 PM

I like your three wishes Levi! You are absolutely, very observant!
LittleEm
Sep 21 2006, 07:26 PM
I love that Levi gets three wishes!!!!
Em
Villagespirit
Sep 21 2006, 11:34 PM
Very funny Love it, and waiting for more.
Dianna[color=#006600][/color]
learningtosign
Sep 22 2006, 03:17 AM
Chapter 3
‘You need to take the love potion and pour it on to their food when they next eat together …………’ Gordon explained.
Levi looked at him in amazement, ‘I may be Levi the Wonderdog but even I would have problems carrying around a bottle of love potion without anyone spotting it, opening said bottle and pouring it over their food without being seen or getting my backside slapped for trying to eat their food…… I mean Jack gives me the crusts when he thinks Sue isn’t watching but that’s when he’s eaten the rest, not as soon as it arrives……… I don’t even know how I’m supposed to carry it, it’s not like I have a purse like Sue does or pockets like Jack………..’
Gordon sighed, ‘do you have to carry it around? Can’t you hide it in your bed and lift it out when needed?’
‘How much do you know about my 2 favourite people?’ Levi asked patiently.
‘Not a great deal……..’ Gordon admitted quietly.
‘Ok…….. when they eat together it might be at work, a sandwich in the park while I chase squirrels, it could be at a Chinese restaurant, or a pizza place, or Jacks’……’
‘Fine………. I get the message…… so all you need is one of those little barrel things like those big rescue dogs in the mountains……….’
‘St Bernard?’ Levi queried.
‘Yeah…….. that’s them, they carry brandy for lost climbers……..’ Gordon nodded enthusiastically.
‘They don’t any more…… something to do with health and safety……’ Levi murmured, wondering why his head was beginning to pound.
‘Just go with the flow here buddy OK? Carry the bottle around and pour it over their food…………job’s a good un………’
‘Even if I can carry it around it doesn’t solve the problem of how to open the bottle ………’ Levi was beginning to understand just how Myles and Bobby felt when trying to have a conversation with Howie and he sighed loudly.
‘Hey Buddy what’s up?’
Levi looked up in to the dark brown eyes of his second favourite person as he ruffled him under his jaw.
Laying his head on Jacks’ thigh Levi whimpered and wished Jack spoke dog.
‘Need a walk buddy? C’mon then………’ Jack left a note on Sues’ desk, picked up the leash and headed to the park where Levi happily chased squirrels and forgot about the annoying little Genie who had entered his life at lunchtime.
MelissaT
Sep 22 2006, 03:17 AM
Levi's such a nice and funny little pooch!

And how sweet it was of him to spend all three wishes on all his human friends! But annoying little genie!
silkvelvet2000
Sep 22 2006, 05:29 AM
Levi is such a nice dog!!
Sam
English_Chick
Sep 22 2006, 05:31 AM
I love this story!!

Its great to read Levi's thoughts - who knew he had such a great sense of humour

Cant wait for more
Ivory
Sep 22 2006, 07:16 AM
'Tis a problem to be sure. How to get the love potient into Sue and Jack's food. I am confident that our wonderdog will figure something out. I am not so sure, however, that Gordon is going to be a lot of help.
tis*me!
Sep 22 2006, 07:35 AM
QUOTE(learningtosign @ Sep 22 2006, 02:32 AM)

Levi was beginning to understand just how Myles and Bobby felt when trying to have a conversation with Howie and he sighed loudly.
A wonderful post, Cath! I'm loving this story! I'm sure Levi the Wonderdog will figure something out. If only dogs had opposable thumbs...
Rosa17
Sep 22 2006, 07:56 AM
QUOTE
Laying his head on Jacks’ thigh Levi whimpered and wished Jack spoke dog.
‘Need a walk buddy? C’mon then………’ Jack left a note on Sues’ desk, picked up the leash and headed to the park where Levi happily chased squirrels and forgot about the annoying little Genie who had entered his life at lunchtime.
Liked this bit, Jack sensing Levi needed a break, even if he didn't know about the genie aww, cute
suesfan
Sep 22 2006, 08:32 AM
Now, if Levi could just talk to Jack and tell him what's going on, I bet Jack would pour the love potion on their food himself!!!
Joy
Levi_rocks
Sep 22 2006, 01:29 PM
I just love Levi! The solution is kind of complicated for Levi to carry out...
suethomasfan2468
Sep 23 2006, 04:05 AM
couldn't he jump up to alert Sue to the door then sprinkle it over the almost ready food??? Great posts Cath, I think this is just fantastical!!!
jen
learningtosign
Sep 23 2006, 04:10 AM
Chapter 4
Returning to the pen Jack handed Sue the leash and stood hovering at the desk.
‘Sue…….. I was ….. errrrrr……. I was ……. ummmm wondering if……. If you aren’t doing anything tonight……….. ummmmmm…… if you’d like to have dinner with me….. there’s a new pizza place opened on 10th that I’d like to try out……..I thought………. I planned on maybe practising some signing……..’
As she read his lips Sue smiled at his quirky little grin, it always amazed her how he became tongue-tied whenever he asked if she wanted to join him for dinner…… it wasn’t as if she ever turned him down, except on Little Bookworm nights and he always joined her there and they went for dinner after.
‘What do you say Buddy? Reckon we could face pizza with Jack tonight….?’ Sue glanced down at Levi who was happily waving his tail.
‘Pizza, love potion and Jack, maybe the plan will work’, he thought.
As he barked in agreement Sue nodded, ‘the vicious beast and I vote yes to the new pizza place……….’
‘Great, pick you up at 7?’
Sue smiled and nodded happily, oblivious to Levi and Gordon attempting a high-five and a happy dance.
‘Ok Levi, tonight is the night’ Gordon whispered conspiratorially in the dogs’ ear just as he was dozing off to dream about chasing rabbits and squirrels.
Levi shook his head in frustration and growled a soft growl.
‘You will have to come with me……… you can ride on my back or float through the air or whatever it is Genies’ do to get from A to B ….. then you can pour the love potion over the pizza…….. but whatever you do make sure the first dog I see is a beautiful……. Brown Labrador I think…….. will the potion work on canines?’ Levi pondered.
‘Levi, my man I have no idea but maybe you had better refuse any pizza tonight….. just in case it doesn’t work or it makes you do funny things….. you never know it might turn your fur pink……..’ Gordon suppressed a small smile at the thought of Levi with pink fur.
In response Levi shook his head furiously sending Gordon flying in to the nearby waste paper basket.
Waiting for the genie to float back to him Levi whispered, ‘if I refuse any pizza Jack and Sue will worry that there is something wrong with me, they will talk about it and Sue will make Jack drive me to the vets, where I will be prodded and poked ……in places where no dog should ever be prodded and poked.… and then it won’t matter how much love potion they consume because Sue will be too upset to even think about how handsome and sexy Jack is, never mind indulge in any making out………. I know my human and how her brain works………… I know Jack and he will be so worried that I might be ill or about to die that he will forget to think about how beautiful Sue is and how much he loves her and he could have drunk an ocean full of love potion but he won’t make a move if he thinks she’s worried about me……… he may be a little dim at times but he is an honourable man at all times……….’
Rosa17
Sep 23 2006, 04:14 AM
QUOTE(learningtosign @ Sep 23 2006, 10:25 AM)

Sue smiled and nodded happily, oblivious to Levi and Gordon attempting a high-five and a happy dance.
This made me laugh.
I hope the potion works and that Godon and Levi manage to get Sue and jack to take the potion.
silkvelvet2000
Sep 23 2006, 05:56 AM
QUOTE(Rosa17 @ Sep 23 2006, 10:29 AM)

QUOTE(learningtosign @ Sep 23 2006, 10:25 AM)

Sue smiled and nodded happily, oblivious to Levi and Gordon attempting a high-five and a happy dance.
This made me laugh.
It made me laugh to Rosa
Sam
Ivory
Sep 23 2006, 07:37 AM
I also laughed at Levi's description of going to the vet. How are Levi and his new genie friend going to pull off this plan, I wonder?
audiokim
Sep 23 2006, 08:19 AM
I sure hope it works!
Kim
tis*me!
Sep 23 2006, 10:37 AM
QUOTE(Ivory @ Sep 23 2006, 06:52 AM)

I also laughed at Levi's description of going to the vet. How are Levi and his new genie friend going to pull off this plan, I wonder?
Me too!
A great post, Cath! Looking forward to more!
Tracy
Kav
Sep 23 2006, 11:18 AM
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