Drabblecast 102 - The Last Dog

[tastycakes]

The music for this episode sounds right out of 'Firefly.' Was that a didgeridoo at the beginning? Because, if so, that person could really play that thing.

[normsherman]

I think Norm has a subconscious desire to please Mr. Resnick with the reading of his stories, after getting snubbed on Malish. I can see Norm at home, waiting for Resnick to write and tell him what a great job he did.

That's okay, Norm. We love ya anyway.

Actually, that desire was quite conscious! Fortunately for my ego, Mike emailed me after "Blue" with this:

Truly wonderful.
Over the years I've heard various books and stories of
mine read by perhaps a dozen professional actors and
at least that many amateurs. Some were okay, some were
pretty awful. Until this week there has only been one
brilliant reading -- by actor William Windom, some years
ago.

Then I listened to your rendition of "Blue" -- and now
there are two. I can't imagine it being done any better.
Thanks for a truly wonderful job.

-- Mike Resnick

Shazaam

[tbaker2500]

Ouch. Oh man, that hurts. Well, you're a tough guy, I'm sure you'll pick up and do a better job next time.

Congrats, that's cool. Put it on your site, man!

[Beth Peters]

Yes, I was not expecting this from Drabblecast. As a new listener, I thought this podcast only did stuff like the Frank Key story, which was the first I listened to. This story really wasn't strange at all, but it was very good. I get the impression Norm does stories like this occasionally as a way of saying "FYI, I can actually pull of serious stuff when I want."
I didn't cry, but I was very much drawn in and deeply enjoyed this episode, but only on second listen. First listen I was doing laundry, and this one needs your full attention.

[strawman]

That's true generally for DC, in my experience. If I'm at all focussed elsewhere, I miss enough that I don't 'get it'. Probably a function of the "flash" effect of flash fiction. Like blinking when someone takes your picture.
And, uh, yeah, Norm on the Resnick comment. Like Steven Hawking has just called you a genius. Stunning.
But I love the way you saved it to trump Tom.
"Don't taze me, bro!"

[jonathancg]

That's how this place works. There are lots of other audio fiction podcasts out there, but in the case of my own fiction I've learned to try for the laid-back ones with excellent production values. I find excellence chases humility. I can say that now, after I've had my work published here twice, so it's no longer brown-nosing

Nice job to both the writer and as always to Norm, on this one.

[delfedd]

I really liked this story. It evoked a lot of emotion.

It kind of reminded me of when my dog died.

Although I didn't really like the alien. And the fact that the alien could talk to the dog. I don't know what my reason for the apocalypse would have been, but I can tell you it wouldn't have been aliens.

[Said the Sparrow]

Dear Mike Resnick,

What did I ever do to you? Why do you hate me and wish me to be filled with tumultuous and unregulated emotions. Every time I hear the excited intro 'by Mike Resnick!' my heart sinks.

PS keep em coming!

[tbaker2500]

Welcome, Said the Sparrow!
That's a cool name, where does it come from?

And more importantly, is it an African or European sparrow?

[ROU Killing Time]

Welcome, Said the Sparrow!
That's a cool name, where does it come from?

And more importantly, is it an African or European sparrow?

Tom, you're a nerd.

[tbaker2500]

Welcome, Said the Sparrow!
That's a cool name, where does it come from?

And more importantly, is it an African or European sparrow?

Tom, you're a nerd.

Takes one to know one, buddy.

[ROU Killing Time]

Welcome, Said the Sparrow!
That's a cool name, where does it come from?

And more importantly, is it an African or European sparrow?

Tom, you're a nerd.

Takes one to know one, buddy.

Yeah, ya got me there.

[Unblinking]

A good, emotional dog story. The alien felt kind of tacked-on, didn't seem to fit very well with the rest. But overall, was good.

[cinnamon]

So, today I listened to this in the car when I had two of my dogs with me, taking them to go scootering. I'm not ashamed to say I cried like a baby. Just wonderful.

[StalinSays]

So, today I listened to this in the car when I had two of my dogs with me, taking them to go scootering. I'm not ashamed to say I cried like a baby. Just wonderful.

Whilst your dogs lol'd, like in the picture?

[cinnamon]

So, today I listened to this in the car when I had two of my dogs with me, taking them to go scootering. I'm not ashamed to say I cried like a baby. Just wonderful.

Whilst your dogs lol'd, like in the picture?

No they kept trying to lick my face, which only made it worse!!

[Unblinking]

No they kept trying to lick my face, which only made it worse!!

That sounds like my dogs. Whenever someone's crying they're always trying to lick the face. My wife thinks they're showing empathy, but I think they just yearn for the salty flavor of despair.

[strawman]

The chief difference between dogs and people is that dogs don't think about germs.

[ROU Killing Time]

No they kept trying to lick my face, which only made it worse!!

That sounds like my dogs. Whenever someone's crying they're always trying to lick the face. My wife thinks they're showing empathy, but I think they just yearn for the salty flavor of despair.

It turns out that, of all the emotions, sorrow is one of the more flavorful ones...

[hellena.xantia]

very good! I like apocalipse stories and dogs.