BookRix

Great story.

hee hee, you are gonna start a new tradition of, "Christmas Belle". LOL

Though you did not refer to the book by title, I already knew what book he was reading. And once I realized his intents for the evening, my eyes welled up. Loved everything about the story. You gave me a real sense of Virginia's charm and hospitality and warm-hearted people. Thank you sister.

very well written , you have the touch,
your a spirtual person , my hero is Jesus Christ , we have a lot in common, your story was just plain good , need I say more, your friend Stanley

Santa likes Rabbit stew?

Great story, Michelle. This is the kind of Christmas story that makes an old Scrooge like me smile with pleasure.

The old man and his dog felt so real it makes one want to believe in Christmas the way they did as a child.

Beautiful story!

While I made my own rounds and voted for you in the heat of it all, I'm just getting around to notes.

Your writing has a developed an interesting feel... of a craftsperson who knows the right word for a feeling or event and yet chooses something else - something not so standard with, perhaps, some unique nuance that another competent writer would have left out of the situation.

To me, that is a real bonus. To simply say "it was snowy out" would be a waste of virtual ink. You, instead, impress me with swirlings, and ghostly shapes, and great puffs of breath.

Coming at this subject from this odd angle is also a big draw. If the story were to continue (don't you hate when people say that about a story that must be only 1000-words and is already "in the can"?), it might be nice to find that Belle's companion isn't the person we assume... but his antithesis. Or, perhaps, one of thousands of similarly inclined/endowed on parallel missions. Or something else entirely.

Since we arrived at our conclusion of his identity only by your creation of circumstance and attitude, masterfully manipulated, we might now be lead down any path, and find the journey more enlightening still.

It's a very good piece and worthy of the praise yous see here in these comments - and more.

Good anytime of the year.

This is a fabulous little tale. And I didn't start to get an inkling as to who 'he' was until the very end of the tale. I love the fact that his Mastiff is named 'Belle' as that means she's a sleigh Belle when riding at his side.

Wonderfully done!

Avery

Thank you all!! I'm so pleased you enjoyed my little Christmas tale. John, I laughed when I read your comment. That "wascally wabbit" gave me fits the whole time I was writing this. Will have to fix that. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.

Why am I the last to know about this wonderful tale? You captured the essence of winter and love so beautifully and took me back to my childhood. I was transported...and enchanted...by the devotion of the dog and the "man". You are another gift we have been given, here at Bookrix, and I thank you for gracing our pages with your heartwarming and well written stories.