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Applause, applause for all the entrants of this round of the Petlitzer Prize contest! You put us judges through our paces and made decision-making quite difficult, which is a tribute to the quality of the poems entered. But, alas, such is the nature of these contests, and not everyone can win.
Below, please see the 3rd-, 2nd-, and 1st-place winners’ poems. These will be read live on Dog Works radio on Wednesday, Nov. 16 between 9 and 10 p.m. Central time, and the show will be re-aired on Sunday, Nov. 19, time TBA; thereafter, I will post the archived recording on this blog for all eternity (or thereabouts) so all your friends and family members can have a chance to listen in.
Congratulations, winners!
Third Place: “Shilo’s ku” by Ron Palmer
A husky,
Second of three dogs.
On a walk,she howls
acknowledgment to
all we pass.Red and white,
she hopes all she greets
provide treats.When back home
blue eyes, mouth laughing
stolen boneSecond Place: “A Conversation with My Cat” by Victoria Raphael
Oh cat, soft and beautiful,
you are so graceful…..
poised and alert, your dainty footsteps
tiptoe around my chair.
Your playful side emerges
as you chase the catnip mouse
until it slides under the cabinet,
then forlorn, yet utterly charming
your begging eyes plead for assistance.
I set my book down to retrieve your toy
just because I love you,
yet knowing you’ll reward me
with some stolen moments on my lap
when we can perform our duet and meow at each other.
Dear cat, so full of mischief
you make me laugh as you run about
intent on cat business,
jumping into my suitcase when I am trying to pack it,
tapping me softly with your paw when you want attention,
or sitting by the table and eying my dinner…..
You always understand the importance of being “cat-ly.
Heavenly creature, so dignified and self assured….
I wonder what you think
as you sprawl across my quilt
keeping me from pulling up the covers.
Don’t worry. I won’t disturb your slumber,
even though I know you will wake me in the morning
with the tickle of your whiskers.
Instead, I will reflect on you, the beauty of your perfection.
and the purpose of your being.
You are friend and companion,
chair warmer, entertainer,
alarm clock, door keeper and often therapist.
Dear pet, the presence of your energy is mood altering.
In a difficult moment I can always manage a smile
just thinking about your cat antics
as I go about my day and the business of being human.
First Place: “Rescue Dog” by Lisa Sellman
I completely loathe the hours that I spend at work;
I file papers and type all day and my boss is a jerk.
My life was destined to be exciting, unique & thrilling;
Instead I spend my day longing for a job that is fulfilling.
I was a Fullbright scholar in my youth;
I was envied by all, if you want the truth.
My parents demanded that I attend law school;
Instead I became a mime and thought it was cool.
I adored Mercel Marceau and planned to be a star;
I stopped going to classes and told my teachers, au revoir.
My days were spent doing the art that I so adored;
Instead of reality, I lived via my vision board.
I only am now happy when I leave my desk at the DMV;
I rush home as fast as I can like a just released parolee.
My home is shared with someone who finds me perfect;
Instead of co-workers ready to judge my intellect.
I used to come home and my only friend was Judge Judy;
I now am languished by kisses from my dog Rudy.
My wit is amazing and my sense of humor divine;
Instead of a boss that hates me, I am loved by this canine.
I found him by accident while looking on Craig’s List;
I was taken with his beautiful eyes and could not resist.
My heart was so broken and needed repair;
Instead of me rescuing him, he was the answer to my prayer.
Submissions for round six of the Petlitzer Prize Poetry Contest can be emailed to me at any time, but the deadline will be May 15, 2012. See Petlitzer Prize Rules for more information.—Sid
Allen and Linda Anderson, founders of the Angel Animals Network, are colleagues of mine, and I wanted to pass along this info about their new pet-writing course. I’ve taken a class from them in the past and can attest that these two know what they’re taking about! Check it out, and use it as incentive for you to get in your Petlitzer Prize poem entry to me by Oct. 31!—Sid
WOOF, MEOW, WRITE, PUBLISH: Writing about Pets and Animals for Love and Money is a new, downloadable, three-part, comprehensive course to guide people in writing books, articles, stories, blogs, and essays about animals for pleasure or extra income. This one-of-a-kind course was designed and written by Allen and Linda Anderson, best-selling, award-winning authors of 14 published pet books. www.allenandlindaanderson.com
On Nov. 10, 2010, it was my pleasure to read all the winners of the Petlitzer Prize Poetry Contest (Round 1) on Dr. Robert Forto’s Blog Talk Radio Show “Dog Works Radio” (formerly known as “The Dog Doctor”). Please click on the link below to here these fine works of art. Send all your friends and family to the link to listen, too. Thank you all again for entering the competition. It was brutal to choose among the very strong entries.
Petlitzer Prize Winners on Dog Works Radio
Please also remember to enter Round 2 of the Petlitzer Prize contest for short stories this time. Deadline is January 15, 2011. For all the rules, go to the Petlitzer Prize link on this blog.
Well, I did it. The choices hurt so much to make that I nearly required medical assistance to withstand the pain! I was thrilled beyond measure with all the terrific submissions for this first-ever Petlitzer Prize contest and sincerely thank all those who submitted.
I should be downright ticked at these authors for making me go through the agony of having to pick just a few winners. Oh, crud. Did I type that out loud?
Congratulations to you all for your wonderfully creative endeavors in general and to those whose poems beckoned to receive additional recognition.
Next time, I’m assembling a whole panel of judges to help me bear the weight of these decisions.
I’ll include the names and poems of all those who received certificates of award here. Those and all the other fine submissions will be posted on the Petlitzer Prize link page, listed above. The top three poems will be forwarded to Dr. Robert Forto, host of “The Dog Doctor” blog talk radio show to be read during his upcoming broadcasts. I’ll post the date/time information and link here and on my Good Grief Pet Loss Facebook page when I have them.
Thank you all again!—Sid
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FIRST PLACE AWARD: LISA SELLMAN OF BROOKLYN CENTER, MN, FOR “DIVINE CANINE”
SECOND PLACE AWARD: PETER HAUTMAN OF STOCKHOLM, WI, FOR “NOTE FROM THE DOG”
THIRD PLACE AWARD: FRAN MENGAZIOL-ADAMS OF KNOXVILLE, TN, FOR “KATRINA ANIMALS LOST”
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
SUE STORMS OF EDEN PRAIRIE, MN, FOR “BOOKER”
AMY ROSENTHAL OF MINNEAPOLIS, MN, FOR “LOSING JAKE”
ANNETTE M. LARSON OF RUTLAND, VT, FOR “TELLING TIME”
JANICE BINIOK OF WAUKESHA, WI, FOR “FOR THE LOVE OF ALL CANINES”
And now, the poems themselves…
Divine Canine
My dog has issues that need to disappear
She is naughty, defiant and cavalier.
I have taken her to trainers and behaviorists, galore.
She will listen for a day or two but sadly no more.
I am frustrated and my mood is always black.
I am tired and the breeder won’t take her back.
With screams of anger, I yelled at the ceiling,
“Why is my life so hard? I hate this feeling!”
Just then a soft muzzle licked at my hand,
She was the teacher and I listened for her command.
Embody the essence you seek in me
And we shall live in harmony.
When I am afraid be present and strong.
Loose your sense of right and wrong.
As I jump up on you and scratch your arm,
Give love to everyone and wish me no harm.
When I am distracted and hard to reach,
Caress me gently with hands that teach.
I am your dog but I will lead the way.
I will teach you peace without delay.
Breathe and let your troubles disappear,
Resistance may come, but we shall persevere.
All the answers of the universe are near,
All we have to do is choose love and not fear.
I knew my dog was special you see,
For she laid back down and winked at me.
Our future is glorious, for this woman and her canine.
Inner peace and stillness is now mine.
by Lisa Sellman, Top Dog ~ Aloha Pet Care & Dog Training
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A Note From the Dog
When the freezer died
And the meat had to be eaten quickly
I was happy.
When you lost your job
And stayed home all day
I was overjoyed.
When you had your cardiac event
And the doctor told you to go for a walk every single day
I was ecstatic.
How would you live without me?
by Pete Hautman
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Katrina
Animals Lost
With all the tales lost
Among the rubble.
Broken trees scattered,
Covering the barks,
Pieces and odors of our
Hardest decisions.
The purrs and last licks,
Were received as final
Choices were made.
Too-familiar smells,
Little noses and paws,
Poking through to us all.
Those tender eyes
Can hold much more
Than the deepest flood.
For within them is the comfort,
The purest kind of love.
For those sweet beauties left,
Wagging, wandering and waiting.
For the moans and the cries
That are no more.
For those who are not found.
If you listen to the silence,
Pure as the day,
A mound of huddled tears,
A mass of hearts that say,
Their prints,
Will never, ever, ever
Wash away.
by Fran Mengaziol-Adams
****************************************************************************
Booker:
Booker
Booker
Beloved, bagpiping boy—
Barky boss begging biscuits, but bestowing bliss
Bearded, bewitching bachelor bursting babes’ bubbles.
Brainy, brave burglar burying bones below boulevards.
Bouncy bronco blindly bulldozing blizzards.
Booker:
Beautiful, blues-busting breed—
Behold! Best Buddy!
by Sue Storms
****************************************************************************
Losing Jake
There’s a hole in my heart where a dog used to be.
He’s nuzzled my soul and is now part of me.
His pain is his life and I know what to do.
But when I release him, I’m losing me, too.
The puppy I cradled three short years ago
is a ninety pound bundle of love, and I know
that he’d lick away all of my tears if he could.
It’s his sense of duty to make me feel good.
It’s my obligation to do what is best.
The love of his “master” is put to the test.
It’s a wrenching and sorrowful way that we part;
it doesn’t hurt less when the head rules the heart.
There’s a hole in my heart where my Jake has passed through.
When we say goodbye part of me will go, too.
by Amy Rosenthal
********************************************************************************
Telling Time
My old, cold cat
Follows the sun from room to room,
Even on cloudy days.
She is my clock.
by Annette M. Larson
*********************************************************************************
For the Love of All Canines
Whether fluffy, sleek,
or hairless skin,
Or blocky build
or cattail thin
Whether striped, spotted,
or large or small,
How can we not
love them all?
Whether bug-eyed, pea-eyed,
blue-eyed or brown,
Or flop-eared, prick-eared,
or folded down,
Whether coarse or curly,
or silky fall,
How can we not
love them all?
Whether spirited
or calm as night,
Or sweetly shy
or strong of might
Whether work or leisure
is their call,
How can we not
love them all?
For with their differences
put aside,
The same canine heart
beats inside
So faithful that
we must recall
We cannot fail
to love them all
by Janice Biniok
Hello all,
For quite a while, I’ve wanted to start a friendly contest for those who write pet-related literature and call it the “Petlitzer Prize” (kind of an all-companion-animal-focused Pulitzer Prize). I was recently a reader at the Dog Days of Stockholm in Stockholm, Wisconsin, and was very impressed by several of the pieces read by other authors there. In fact, I asked the evening’s emcee, Peter Hautman, to allow me to reproduce his charming poem “A Note from the Dog,” to get things started (posted below). For this first round, I will have entries be strictly pet-related poetry, but in the future, other forms of fiction and nonfiction will be the categories in turn—such as short stories, news articles, blogs, children’s lit, humor, bumper stickers phrases, etc.
Here are some basic ground rules for Petlitzer Prize entries in any or all categories:
1. You must be the author of the piece. Plagiarism is an absolute no no!
2. Entries should not have been previously published in book form (on your own blog is fine) as of the date you submitted it. Meaning that if you get it snatched up by Random House the week after you send it to me, you’re still qualified for this prestigious contest—and congratulations! 🙂
3. For Round 1, I must receive your entry by October 15, 2010. A winner will be chosen and posted by no later than Halloween. (In the future, there may be readers’ choice contests wherein readers may vote for their favorite pieces. For this first round, however, I will be the sole judge.)
4. Please be sure to have a second pair of eyes proofread your entries well. Grievous typos/grammar gaffs will most likely disqualify you.
5. You may only enter one piece in any given round, but you may enter a different single piece in every subsequent category throughout the year. New categories will be posted shortly after the after the deadline is reached.
6. Winners (First, Second and/or Honorable Mention, depending on the number and quality of submissions) will receive a certificate of achievement for their efforts and have their work posted on my blog, Facebook fan page, Twitter, etc. If you have a website, please be sure to submit your URL to be directly linked from my blog in case you win.
7. Winners may also have their works (or excerpts from them) read live on Dr. Robert Forto’s very popular Blog Talk Radio show “The Dog Doctor.” (Air dates will be announced in advance.)
8. No pornography whatsoever will be allowed. Nor will pieces depicting gratuitous violence toward animals (except for the purpose of decrying such acts or as truly salient parts of a story’s plot). I have the final say as to whether entries will be accepted. People of all ages and walks of life may be seeing or hearing these, so the work must be acceptable for a general audience.
9. Send your submission in a Word doc or pasted directly into an email with Petlitzer Prize Entry in the subject line, along with your full name, email address, mailing address, phone number, and a short (sentence or two) bio about yourself if you wish, to me at <goodgriefpetloss@gmail.com>. None of your contact information will be shared without your express permission. They’re only so I can notify you of who won the contest and/or to mail you your certificate.
Guidelines for Round 1—Pet-related Poetry:
You may submit any form of poem (rhyming, free verse, limerick, haiku, etc.) as long as it pertains to companion animals and/or the human-animal bond. Poems may be of humorous or serious nature. Please keep length to no more than two pages.
Tell all your animal-loving friends about this contest. I want to be flooded with wonderful submissions!—Sid
Here’s the inaugural Petlizer Prize submission:
A Note From the Dog
When the freezer died
And the meat had to be eaten quickly
I was happy.
When you lost your job
And stayed home all day
I was overjoyed.
When you had your cardiac event
And the doctor told you to go for a walk every single day
I was ecstatic.
How would you live without me?
– Pete Hautman
Goodgriefpetloss's Blog 