June 11 - August 16, 2008
Underdog or Wonderdog? What would Sue Thomas F.B. Eye be without our loveable canine? He has the heart of Lassie, the tenacity of the Hound of Baskervilles, the loyalty of Fang, and the energy of all 101 Dalmations put together! That’s why this summer we’d like to honour that Rin Tin Tin of the 21st century – Levi!
So, what do we mean by the Dog Daze of Summer? Well, we’re coining a phrase you are probably already familiar with: The dog days of summer. But what exactly does that mean?
Definition : 1 : the period between early July and mid August when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the Northern Hemisphere. The ancient Romans called it Dog Days, after the brightest star in night sky – Canius Major (the big dog) or Sirius. In the summer, Sirius rises and sets with the sun, contributing to the Roman’s belief that it was his extra heat, combined with the sun’s, that created all those hot and sultry days.
Definition 2 : a period of stagnation or inactivity
Your challenge is to incorporate one of these definitions into your story. We’ve provided a couple of intros you may wish to begin with, or you can simply start your own using one of the titles from our list below (see intro#3).
Special Challenge Within A Challenge
Make Levi a pivotal part of your story. You can write some (or all) of it from his point of view. For example:
The problem with Humans is they don’t understand about bunnies…well, they don’t understand a lot of other things either…like why it’s important to always throw the ball one more time, or that donuts should be a staple diet of every breed…especially necessary for glossy coats on Golden Retrievers…
Not keen on becoming one with your Alpha Wolf?
That’s okay – just make sure that Levi plays an important role in your story. Perhaps he is the impetus for getting Jack and Sue to declare their love…at last! Or instrumental in providing an important clue for a case. Or maybe it’s his comic goofiness that gives your story that extra touch of humour. There are lots of ways you can incorporate our favourite Wonder Dog into your fanfic…and into our hearts. A few Challenge reminders:
1) You may enter the challenge twice – but you must use a different intro or title choice from intro #3 for each entry and you must post your stories one at a time. Each story must be a stand alone.
2) All stories must involve at least one of the characters from Sue Thomas FB Eye. Poetry entries are the only exception to this rule.
3) Poems must have either a summer or dog related theme. Original poetry appearing within a story will also be considered for Best Poem category. Please make sure to note that the poem is your own work so we can include it on the ballot.
4) Don't forget to rate your entry: G, PG, PG13, PG17
5) Regardless of whether your story fits into the short story or full length story category, please add your final word count at the end of your last post. This saves the mods working on the ballots from having to cut and paste into Word all the stories that look like they might fit the short story criteria (7,000 words or under).
6) One of our voting categories is Best Use of a Song in a Story since it was so popular in the last challenge. Please note that in this challenge, it is merely a voting category. You would still need to use one of the two intros or create a story from one of the title options in Intro #3. To be included in the Best Use of Song Category your song must have a dog or summer theme. Of course, feel free to use any other song(s) in your challenge story -- however keep in mind that they would not be nominated for the Best Use of a Song voting category.
7) All stories will fit in either of two categories depending on their length. All word counts 7000 and under will be entered in the short story category. All word counts 7001 and over will be entered in the Full-Length category. Word counts do not include provided intros.
How to Begin:
Your intro options are listed below. Select one and start writing! When you’re ready to begin posting click on New Topic, fill out your topic title and topic description, add your first post and click on submit. Your topic area should look like this.
Topic Title: You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks - kav
Topic Description: PG17
As always we request that you do not post your challenge story elsewhere until the challenge and voting have been completed. The Challenge begins Wednesday, June 11 and ends Saturday, August 16th at midnight in your area.
The Voting Categories:
Categories with an * next to them are new.
*Alpha Male : The most Heart-Throbbing portrayal of one of our favourite heroes. (Categories under individual names where enough entries warrant it. Ie: Jack, Bobby, Myles...Randy?
)Best In Show: Best full length story ( Any and all stories with 7001 + word count)
Lap Dog: Best Short Story (Any and all stories with 7,000 words or under. Please give word count at the end of your last post.)
Pick of the Pack : Best drama
Howler: Best comedy
Dogku: Best Poem
Aaarrroooooo: Best Use of a Song in a Story (song must relate to a summer or dog theme)
Left us Begging for More : Plot development -- subcategories for Jack/Sue, Bobby/Tara
*Wonderdog: Best Levi storyline
*Man’s (or Woman’s) Best Friend – Well, besides Levi : Best inspirational story about friendship
Puppy Love: Best Romance: Two categories – Jack and Sue and Other. More pairings will be added if there are enough entries. (ie. A separate sub-category for Bobby and Tara)
*Hot Dog: Most romantic scene -- divided by pairings if enough entries warrant it
Drool Worthy: Best kiss - divided by pairings if enough entries warrant it
*Bull Dog: Most tenacious character -- the one who is portrayed as doggedly determined -- some might call him...her...stubborn..
*Underdog: Best story featuring a minor character from the series (Howie, Troy, Amanda, etc.)
Best of Breed: Best Original Character
Internal Parasites: Best/Worst Villian (Original Character)
In Training: Best Novice writer *No more than three completed stories on the board
Intro #1
"You know what our problem is?" Tara asked morosely one evening after she and Lucy and Sue had finished watching another marathon run of girl flicks. Though each movie had been a romantic comedy, she didn't feel like laughing -- not after watching multiple endings where each girl got her guy.
"Stale popcorn?" Lucy asked, eyeing the dregs of the large earthenware bowl they had all been delving into with a mixture of longing and disdain. The blackened kernels held no appeal but she couldn't resist running her finger along the edge of the bowl and licking off the residual butter and salt.
"Levi's been licking the bowl," Sue informed her roommate with mild amusement.
"Ewwww -- gross!" Lucy squealed, jumping back as if a viperous snake was about to lash out at her. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I just did."
"Our problem," Tara's voice rose above the friendly bickering as she fixed each of her friends with a stern, uncompromising stare, "is that we are in the Dog Days of Romance."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lucy asked, not sure if she should be offended over Tara's assessment.
"Is that bad?" Sue wanted to know.
Even Levi moaned mournfully, cocking his head at an angle as if his brain could concentrate better on the dilemma that way.
"Do you know what the expression, Dog Days means?" Tara asked, knowing full well that they didn't. She hadn't either until she'd come across the expression in her Webster's Dictionary of Phraseology. "It means a period of stagnation or inactivity."
"That's a bit harsh, isn't it?" Lucy protested.
"You tell me," Tara countered eyeing her with speculation. "How'd your last date go?"
"Let's see if I can remember that far back...I mean...oh...I see what you mean."
"Stagnant," Tara repeated mournfully.
"Oh, I don't know. It's not that bad," Sue said with forced cheerfulness.
"Says the woman who has been dancing around her real feelings for a certain dark haired, brown eyed gentleman for over three years now," Tara said as gently as she could. "There's nothing like a Thomas/Hudson romantic story line to scream inactivity."
"Why bring Jack into the conversation?" Sue asked, immediately on the defensive.
"Because Jackson Samuel Hudson is the Prince among Stagnators," Lucy answered promptly before adding thoughtfully, "maybe there's something to this Dog Days after all."
"Definitely...just look at my life -- a string of romantic encounters that end before the first kiss..." Tara sighed.
"What about Stanley?" Sue asked.
"Stagnant Stan? The name says it all. The only reason we even got to the first kiss stage was that I attacked him. I did! Smacked a passionate kiss on his lips with all the smoldering comehitherness I could muster."
"What happened?" Lucy asked, torn between gasping in horror and laughing in amusement at the image Tara's words conjured up.
"It was like kissing a fish," Tara decided solemnly. "A dead fish." Her lips twitched a bit. "A cold, dead fish." She grinned. "A cold, dead puffer fish...he fills his cheeks with air when he kisses. It's...odd and gives him the hiccups. Needless to say it wasn't an activity we partook of on a regular basis."
"So it's official?" Lucy asked reluctantly. "We're actually entering the Dog Days of our romantic lives? What comes after that, Tara?"
"Death."
Intro #2
“I’m afraid I’ll be sailing out at the Vineyard,” Myles said with a pompous swagger, “but you go on ahead and have a lovely time without me. You can tell me all about it on Monday.”
“Oh Myles – you can go sailing any time. It’s not every day that you get to see a member of this team win a prestigious honour like this,” Lucy protested. “I’m putting you down for one ticket…” A finely sculpted eyebrow arched inquisitively. “…unless you plan on bringing a date?”
His only response was a haughty glare before peacemaker Tara hastily jumped in. “Um, you can put me down for…” her eyes sought out Bobby before she rushed on over a little sigh. “One.”
“Stan the Man still out of town?” Bobby commiserated. “No worries – I’ll keep you out of trouble. You and Sue can count on me being there as well, Luce.”
“Great. That’s everybody but Myles and…Jack!” She pounced on him the second he walked into the bullpen. “How many tickets do you want? We thought we’d grab a table together.”
“Uh…” his eyes automatically sought Sue for clarification. “Do I want tickets?”
Laughing, she nodded. “I think you’d enjoy yourself.”
“Um…okay,” Jack paused and when no further information was forthcoming, he added, “How many tickets do I want?”
Sue shrugged. “Depends on whether you’re inviting someone to go with you.”
“Well?” Lucy stared at their team leader expectantly, pen poised over paper. “One ticket or two?”
“Is this something you’d enjoy going to?” Jack asked Sue, “I mean…just so I get the idea of what kind of date would like this…kind of event.”
“I definitely plan on going,” Sue assured him, “and I plan on enjoying myself too.”
“Good. Then I’ll take two tickets, Luce.”
Lucy frowned. “Two? You want two tickets?” Disapproval pursed her lips and soured her expression. “What do you want two tickets for?”
Jack grinned. “One for myself and one for my date.”
“Who’s your date?”
“Depends. What am I agreeing to go to?”
“Hope your date isn’t allergic to dog dander, Jack,” Tara chimed up from across the room.
“She’d likely asphyxiate in a matter of seconds,” Myles warned.
“And that would put a damper on our evening, wouldn’t it luv?” Bobby asked, blindsiding Tara with nudge and a wink.
“Definitely,” she grinned, winking back.
Jack gave Sue a lingering look. “She’s definitely not allergic to dogs,” he assured them.
“Thank God for small miracles, I suppose,” Lucy sighed as she divvied up the tickets, handing them out to every one present. She tucked Myles’ in his suit pocket when he refused to take one and then handed two tickets to Jack and was just about to give Sue hers when he beat Lucy to it.
Flourishing the ticket under Sue’s nose he asked, “Care to join me for an enjoyable evening at…” he glanced at the bold print in his hand, “…the Dog Days of Summer Gala Ball?”
“I’d be honored,” Sue said gratefully, “especially since my usual escort has another date that night.”
“I didn’t know you were seeing somebody,” Jack commented, feeling suddenly awkward.
“Seeing, eating, sleeping with him…they’re inseparable….but Levi’s standing her up for Francis,” Lucy interjected.
“But I don’t mind. It’s for a good cause. The proceeds for the event are going to several service dog foundations,” Sue added. “Levi’s the Honorary Master of Ceremonies.”
“And we’re all going to go along to show our support, aren’t we Myles?” Lucy asked pointedly.
“Why do I get the feeling my weekend is just about to go to the dogs?” he sighed in resignation.
Intro #3: Pick a title and start writing!
Ain't nothing but a hound dog
Dog day afternoon
Dog Gone Tired
Every Dog Has His Day
Fighting like cats and dogs
Hang dog attitude
Hot digitty dog
How 'bout them dawgs!
Its a dog eat dog world
It's a dog's life
Let sleeping dogs lie
Lying like a dog
Raining cats & dogs
Top dog
Three Dog Night
You Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks