THE FIRST ONE-STAR REVIEW OF CASCADIA

FullSizeRenderStormy, our five-year-old Shih Tzu, pads into my office and sits next to me where I’m working at my desk.

“Hey, Storms, what’s up?”

He doesn’t respond, just looks up at me with his big brown eyes the size of shooter marbles.  I notice he’s sporting a tie.

“What’s with the tie, dude?  Haven’t seen you in one of those before.”  I remember that Valentine’s Day is nearing.  “Lookin’ for love, maybe?”

“I’m neutered,” he growls.

“Right,” I say, and change the subject.  Quickly.  “So why the GQ look?”

“Just wanted you to know I’m not a mutt, that I can be just as erudite and macho and handsome as any other canine.”

“Never said you couldn’t be.”

Stormy stands, puts his front paws on my lap, and tries to give me an evil-eye squint.  Hard to do with peepers the diameter of quarters.  “I understand you put a dog in your new novel, Cascadia.”

I nod.

“But not a Shih Tzu, right?”

“I needed a big dog, a working breed.”

“Don’t dismiss me just because I’m little.  I’m strong.  Give me a chance.  I mean, look, if Tom Cruise can play Jack Reacher. . .”

I sigh.  “Here’s the deal, Storms, in my novel, the dog–a Bernese Mountain Dog, by the way–has to tote some stuff weighing a couple of hundred pounds.”  I stare hard at Stormy.  “How much do you weigh?”

He removes his paws from my lap and sits back down.  “More than those hairless little Mexican shits,” he mumbles.

I cock my head at him.  “What?”  I attempt to sound stern.

“You heard me.”  He adds under his breath, “They’re probably here illegally, too.”

“Hey, hey, don’t go all Donald Trump on me.  You mean Chihuahuas?”

“Whatever.”

“It’s a perfectly fine breed.  Don’t be so damned prejudiced.”

“I’m pissed.”

“I’m sorry.  I meant no disrespect to you.  It’s just that I couldn’t have a Shih Tzu lugging around more than ten times his body weight.  And here’s another thing.  Zurry–that’s the dog’s name–also gets caught in a tsunami.”

“A what?”

images“A tsunami.  I’m oversimplifying things, but it’s a massive surge of ocean water that inundates coastal locations.  You don’t even like to get your face washed.”

“You just wanna find excuses to keep me out of your novel.”  He stretches out, rests his head on his front paws, and shoots me a disconsolate stare.

“That’s not it at all.  I’m sorry you don’t get it.  It’s nothing personal.  No reflection on you.  But a large dog was the best literary fit in the setting and circumstances of my story.”

“Sure, sure.”

“Come on, Storms.  I think you’ll enjoy the novel when you read it.”

“Dogs can’t read, or hadn’t you noticed?  But here, I’ll tell you what I think.”  He stands, pivots, passes gas, and trots from the room.

My first one-star review of Cascadia.

“Hey, Storms,” I call after him, “maybe you can find a lady friend who’s been spayed.”

6 Comments

  1. Susan Lindsley on February 10, 2016 at 3:44 pm

    Let me know when the book is out. My cat will give you another review!

    • Buzz Bernard on February 10, 2016 at 5:58 pm

      Thanks, Susan. (Sorry, no cats in the book, however.)

  2. Dr. James Murphy on February 10, 2016 at 9:22 pm

    Hey Buzz… a “One Star Review” is not unlike pizza with one topping: it usually serves the likes of just one person…and not a reflection of the full audience you write to. Honestly, those who know your talents will not be fazed by such assessments, for there is PLENTY to like already in circulation. In other words, one brick in the foundation isn’t enough to downgrade the integrity of your constructive project. We know better. Keep on writing, my friend. Better days – and reviews – are on the way.

    • Buzz Bernard on February 22, 2016 at 11:10 am

      Maybe you’d better have a talk with Stormy, Doc.

  3. John House on February 11, 2016 at 2:03 pm

    Buzz. Not fair. Writing thrillers is competition enough. Start publishing humor and Cappy will be after you. You are one talented dude.

    • Buzz Bernard on February 12, 2016 at 12:56 pm

      Thanks, John. Always try to get a little humor in my books, but Cappy doesn’t have to worry.

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