You & Me and a Dog Named Flea - Fridayblues

[mvansand76]

Hey!

Is anybody reading this and enjoying it as much as I do?

Here is the link to the author's livejournal and the first chapter:

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/6649.html

AU!AU set in San Francisco. Jack Twist had a chance encounter with a veterinarian one day, didn’t know the shy vet, and his black and white terrier, would have a permanent place in his heart.

[mariez]

I'm reading it, Mel!     I'm not quite caught up, but, yes, I'm really enjoying it too.  This story has such a fresh, sweet quality to it.  And I used to have my own little Flea - so I'm loving that part, too. 

I'll try to get caught up soon!

Glad you posted this.   

Marie

[mvansand76]

I'm reading it, Mel!     I'm not quite caught up, but, yes, I'm really enjoying it too.  This story has such a fresh, sweet quality to it.  And I used to have my own little Flea - so I'm loving that part, too. 

I'll try to get caught up soon!

Glad you posted this.   

Marie

Oh really you had a doggie like that? 

I heard the writer's Italian?

[mariez]

Oh really you had a doggie like that? 

I heard the writer's Italian?

Yep.  My little Mindy.  Sniff.

I haven't heard anything about the writer - I guess I should check out her(?) LJ.  Maybe she's written other fics.

Marie

[mvansand76]

Yep.  My little Mindy.  Sniff.

I haven't heard anything about the writer - I guess I should check out her(?) LJ.  Maybe she's written other fics.

Marie

Oh no, did she die? 
Will you tell us something about her in the How We Live forum, we have a thread there called Animals in our lives!

[Brown Eyes]

Thanks for starting this thread Bud.  I've seen mentions of this story here and there, but haven't read it myself yet.  From what you say, it sounds like a really good read.  So, I'll definitely give it a try.

cheers,
Amanda

[ifyoucantfixit]

        Yes I too am reading it.  Enjoying it very much.  I got a late start on it.
I have started waiting until there are a few chapters up before I start one.  But I have really liked this one.  Its very entertaining.

[mariez]

Chapter 15 is up!

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/11068.html

I'm caught up on this fic.  It keeps getting better and better and it has some of the best OC's - quirky, funny, wise, and sometimes exasperating. 

Marie

[belbbmfan]

Yes Marie, isn't it a wonderful story to read. I'm enjoying it very much. And you're right, the good OC's are one of the reasons why this story is so good. I really like Flea...  

Have you read the author's other story Wiser Time? It's finished and it's good.

[mariez]

Hey, Fabienne!  Great to see you.  No I haven't read Wiser Time - thanks for the rec.  I'll definitely look it up!

Thanks,
Marie

[belbbmfan]

I finished Wiser Time today. It's good, again with good OC's. Did you know that the author's mothertongue isn't English?  I think that's amazing. I like the writing style.

[souxi]

Here is the link to the first chapter of " A wiser tme"

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/649.html#cutid1

[mariez]

I finished Wiser Time today. It's good, again with good OC's. Did you know that the author's mothertongue isn't English?  I think that's amazing. I like the writing style.

I think Mel mentioned that she might be Italian?  I'm amazed that English isn't her native tongue.  I'm also amazed that English isn't your or Mel's native tongue either.  You guys have a better command of the language than a lot of native speakers!   

Here is the link to the first chapter of " A wiser tme"

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/649.html#cutid1

Thanks for the link ,souxi - you're a doll.

Marie

[mvansand76]

I think Mel mentioned that she might be Italian?  I'm amazed that English isn't her native tongue.  I'm also amazed that English isn't your or Mel's native tongue either.  You guys have a better command of the language than a lot of native speakers!   

Thanks Marie! I haven't finished this chapter yet, but you know what's funny, this is the first chapter where I noticed that she is a non-native, there are some traps she falls in that I fall in too when I write. It's hard to explain, it's sentence build up and some of the dialogue. But that doesn't mean that I don't think that she is amazing, obviously, I always love to read stories by non-natives and I am quite impressed with hers!

Oh, BTW I get confused with Brent and Grant (are those the names), I wish she hadn't chosen names that were so similar!

 

[mariez]

Mel, now that you've mentioned the sentence build-up, etc., I'll probably be watching that more closely! 

Oh, BTW I get confused with Brent and Grant (are those the names), I wish she hadn't chosen names that were so similar!
 

That's very funny because I was getting confused at first, too!  And then I figured out this little trick:  Good Grant.  Bad Brent.  LOL!  (Well, okay, maybe Brent's not actually "bad," but I didn't like how he made Ennis feel so insecure!)

Marie

[mariez]

Chapter 16 is up!  The best one yet, imo - as the author notes, it's "pure Ennis-and-Jack." 

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/11775.html

Marie

[belbbmfan]

Chapter 16 is up!  The best one yet, imo - as the author notes, it's "pure Ennis-and-Jack." 

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/11775.html

Marie

Isn't is wonderful? I felt like lighting a fire, making hot cocoa and snuggling up on the couch and then read it all over again. Truly a heartwarming chapter.

[mvansand76]

Isn't is wonderful? I felt like lighting a fire, making hot cocoa and snuggling up on the couch and then read it all over again. Truly a heartwarming chapter.

Haven't read it yet, but hot cocoa sounds like a good idea.... Now where's the whipped cream...?

[ifyoucantfixit]

      This was a beautiful chapter of sightseeing, fun and frolic, and love.  What more could you want.??

[Brown Eyes]

Update! 

Chapter 17

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/11831.html

[mariez]

Update! 

Chapter 17

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/11831.html

Thanks! 

SPOILERS


Whew, I'm exhausted - what a roller coaster ride.  And ...gah, the ending....but she did say it wasn't that bad, right?  To take deep breaths?   

Ruby has the perfect name doesn't she?  What a gem - I love her!

Marie

[belbbmfan]

Just checking in, looking for an update... 

[mvansand76]

Just checking in, looking for an update... 

Well, I think it's here, Fabienne! 

[belbbmfan]

Well, I think it's here, Fabienne! 

HOERA!! 

[mariez]

Here's the link!

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/12046.html


Ahhh....that was bliss.  Can't say enough good things about this story. 

Marie

[mvansand76]

HOERA!! 

Hiep hiep!

[belbbmfan]

Goodmorning Flea fans! Chapter 19 is up.   

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/12711.html

[ifyoucantfixit]

         Yippee...................goes to read.

[mariez]

Goodmorning Flea fans! Chapter 19 is up.   

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/12711.html

Thanks, Fabienne!


SPOILERS






I don't know if I'm just in a cranky mood today, but a lot of characters managed to annoy the piss out of me in this chapter.   

I should have seen it coming - but I didn't.  Way back in the early chapters, we knew Ennis was keeping Flea at the clilnic in case the little boy came back, but I managed to put that out of my mind.  And now.........sob.  I know Ennis will give the dog to the little boy because he's Ennis and he'll feel it's the right thing.   And I can't blame the boy because he's a child - but the father - aarrrghhh.  How presumptuous.  I hate when people treat animals as possessions instead of living beings with feelings - and this dad was so oblivious. 

And Brent.  Okay, so I know he's hurt and he's not evil or anything, but that whole bit about "I'm going to steal you back" - yuck.  I hate when people regard other people as commodities - and doesn't Jack have something to say about the matter?  The fact that Jack's heart doesn't belong to Brent isn't Ennis's fault - they obviously didn't have that strong connection to begin with, but I guess it's human nature to want to put the blame on another person when a relationship doesn't work out. 

And don't even get me started on this Alma - where in the world did she get the idea that she ever had some kind of claim on Ennis and that she's entitled to feel betrayed somehow?  That martyr act is so ludicrous, not to mention embarrassing.  Double yuck. 

Trying to look on the bright side, maybe having to give up Flea will be another way of bringing Jack and Ennis closer together, but ......oh, my, that's gonna be one hard to read good-bye scene. 

Marie

[belbbmfan]

Look!! A new chapter already!   

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/12894.html


*spoiler*



This was a really sweet chapter. I'm so pleased Ennis reached the right conclusion about Flea! And discovering in the 'fighter' in him.
I'd like to read more about Grant and Lee too. 

[belbbmfan]

And another!

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/13329.html

The title is 'Flea's army'    Good choice.

Flea must be the luckiest dog in the world.

[ifyoucantfixit]

       This was one of the sweetest chapter yet... Full of love and friendship.  Help and tears...I really enjoyed it..

[mariez]

Fabienne and Janice, I echo your sentiments!  Who wouldn't want to be Flea?      There is something so cozy and warm about this story that is so appealing. 

Okay, so now that we have Flea taken care of and Mona is up to speed, I'm ready for Jack's "talk" with Alma - he's such a sweetie - I hope he remembers he has nothing to be sorry for!

Marie

[belbbmfan]

chapter 22 is up! And it's a looooong one. Yeehaw 

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/13958.html

[mariez]

chapter 22 is up! And it's a looooong one. Yeehaw 

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/13958.html

Thanks, Fabienne!

SPOILERS





That got intense there for a bit - but it was probably a good thing to have these things rise to the surface so they can be dealt with.  And I'm still waiting for Jack to talk to Alma - I'm very curious to see how that goes.  Just a guess, but from the way the story has progressed so far, I'm betting we might see a better side to Alma (at least I'm hoping so).  The ending of this chapter was so touching and true.  I'll be sorry to see this story come to an end.

Marie

[belbbmfan]

And here's chapter 23.

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/14416.html

[mariez]

Thanks, Fabienne!


SPOILERS




And I keep a perfect record for wrong predictions!  LOL! Alma certainly didn't show a good side, did she.  If anything her behavior was more embarrassing and cowardly than ever.  But, that was a refreshingly honest decision on the author's part - sometimes people don't come around and we find out they were never really a friend at all.  Sorry for Jack, but I was so proud of how he handled that meeting. 

I like that Ennis is seeking guidance from the Velvet.  We don't often see an Ennis going through such a process, but it's a good fit for this story.

The Shel Silverstein poem was so perfect - what an incredibly moving moment when Jack received that postcard.  They've both found their "missing piece."   

Only two more chapters....I don't want to let go of this J&E.

Marie

[belbbmfan]

Agreed Marie.

And what about Lee and Jack? I loved their exchange at the bookstore. Are those two ever going to have a normal conversation? hmm, maybe not.


And good news about the puppy!

This story will make for an excellent reread, that's for sure.

[mariez]

Agreed Marie.

And what about Lee and Jack? I loved their exchange at the bookstore. Are those two ever going to have a normal conversation? hmm, maybe not.


And good news about the puppy!

This story will make for an excellent reread, that's for sure.

OMG, the Lee and Jack scene!  Wasn't that priceless?  I'm not sure it's possible to have a normal conversation with Lee - but then, again, Jack was hiding underneath the table.    And perfect timing for the call about the puppy.  Rereads, for sure!

Marie

[belbbmfan]

The final chapter is up.

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/15911.html appropriately called 'Here comes the sun'

I'm sad this story has come to an end. But I've smiled all the way through reading this chapter. I have enjoyed this story from the first line to the last.


But it was all good. Let the sun sleep, for come tomorrow, it would beam again. Ennis was with him today. He would be with him tomorrow, and so would Flea. It could, and would, be like this, just like this always.

ahhh, beautiful. I hope we'll hear more from this author. 

[mariez]

Fabienne, I used almost those exact words in my comment on blues' LJ - I was wearing a big goofy smile from the first word of the chapter to the last - and I quoted the last line, too.  The story had a light, magical quality to it, but at the same time it was very grounded and realistic. 

....... I hope we'll hear more from this author. 

Here's part of what she said in reply to my comment on the previous chapter:

..don't worry, I will be writing more of Ennis and Jack in this universe. But just not in the form of a sequal. I don't know yet but one sure thing is I'm not going anywhere:)

Good news, for sure 

Marie

[mariez]

fridayblues has been writing a series of one-shots in the Flea universe.  Here is the fifth one - "Missing Beads," which is pure gold:

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/21736.html

Marie

[belbbmfan]

There's another one shot from fridayblues called 'Chasing the Rainbow'. And it's good. I hope she continues writing these short pieces (I wouldn't mind a sequel of course  ). I'm not ready to say goodbye to her Jack, Ennis and Flea.

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/23442.html

[mariez]

There's another one shot from fridayblues called 'Chasing the Rainbow'. And it's good. I hope she continues writing these short pieces (I wouldn't mind a sequel of course  ). I'm not ready to say goodbye to her Jack, Ennis and Flea.

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/23442.html

Yes, it was great wasn't it?  Ennis "mingling" was so adorable.  I think Blues said she would continue writing these one-shots in the Flea universe instead of an official "sequel."  They really are little gems.  She's also begun a new story entitled, "Fragile" which is wonderful - very different from her other works.  I'll start a thread for it.

Marie

Marie

[mariez]

An absolutely gorgeous one-shot in the Flea universe entitled "The Song of the Ocean."   

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/24559.html

Marie

[belbbmfan]

Dang, just as I have to leave for work!

Oh, well, there's something to look forward to. I love her one shots.

Thanks for the heads up Marie. 

[mariez]

A "Flea Belated Halloween Interlude" :

http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/26161.html

She spins her usual magic!   

A lilttle teaser:  Ennis is a Greek god!

Marie

[mariez]

I love this story - it has so much heart, but isn't treacly or overdone.  Everything about it is "just right."  You can tell that the author loves and respects her characters and I guess the reason the story has so much heart is that it's clear that the story comes straight from her own heart.   I can always tell and those are always my favorites. 

Flea Final - Part 1:  "Running to You"
http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/30186.html

Flea Final - Part 2 - "Running to You - the Story of the Red Ink"
http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/30965.html

These are the final in the series of one-shots that followed "You and Me and a Dog Named Flea."  But the good news is that Blues noted that there will most likely be sequel!

Marie

[Brown Eyes]

I love this story - it has so much heart, but isn't treacly or overdone.  Everything about it is "just right."  You can tell that the author loves and respects her characters and I guess the reason the story has so much heart is that it's clear that the story comes straight from her own heart.   I can always tell and those are always my favorites. 

Flea Final - Part 1:  "Running to You"
http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/30186.html

Flea Final - Part 2 - "Running to You - the Story of the Red Ink"
http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/30965.html

These are the final in the series of one-shots that followed "You and Me and a Dog Named Flea."  But the good news is that Blues noted that there will most likely be sequel!

Marie

Thanks Marie!  I love this story too.

[Monika]

Thanks for the update Marie!

[belbbmfan]

I love this story - it has so much heart, but isn't treacly or overdone.  Everything about it is "just right."  You can tell that the author loves and respects her characters and I guess the reason the story has so much heart is that it's clear that the story comes straight from her own heart.   I can always tell and those are always my favorites. 

Flea Final - Part 1:  "Running to You"
http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/30186.html

Flea Final - Part 2 - "Running to You - the Story of the Red Ink"
http://fridayblues.livejournal.com/30965.html

These are the final in the series of one-shots that followed "You and Me and a Dog Named Flea."  But the good news is that Blues noted that there will most likely be sequel!

Marie

I couldn't agree more.