Stonewall
Flash Flood 2019
We discovered the Virtual Dog Walk videos produced by Paul Dinning through a sheer chance search, in need of a calming video we could leave on for our dogs when We, their People subjected ourselves to the must-do demands of the world outside the home.
Not that we were necessarily looking for soothing serene walks through Cornwall UK, but as what sometimes happens, what is needed most at any moment in time has a way of finding you.
We were instant fans of the channel, the dogs and the cats too, as noted by their various napping positions, lulled to sleep by the trod of the walker.
Dinning’s sole purpose of his YouTube channel was the capture and share of the beauty of Cornwall UK. How the channel evolved is a true testimony to the power of a few well-selected words.
… HOW IT BEGAN ~ I started my youtube channel to showcase the birds and wildlife in Cornwall UK. Although the videos were very well received they did not get very many views. I then decided to title a video “Video for Cats” and I was shocked and amazed at the feedback and how many views and subscribers I got. I had no idea that people even searched for videos for cats or cat tv etc. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has watched and subscribed to my channel over the years. Thank you ~ Paul Dinning
“Stonewall” appeared online (here) as part of Flash Flood (6/15/2019), an annual twenty-four hour online celebration of flash fiction held on National Flash Fiction Day. This year, the NFFD is scheduled Saturday, June 13. 2026.
For 24 hours straight starting at 00:01 BST on Saturday, 13 June, FlashFlood, NFFD's curated online journal, will be publishing one flash every 5 to 10 minutes over at NFFD. Check in at half past the hour every hour from start to finish for our Debut Flash Series — new stories written by previously unpublished flash writers.
What I love best about “Stonewall” is the flood of dialog, written to reflect conversations held while the collective blood pressures and pulse rates relax relax relax in sync with the trod trod trod.
Thank you, Flash Flood editors and everyone involved with the events of National Flash Fiction Day.
Stonewall
My sister holds the dog’s leash. “What are you doing?”
“Walking the dog.”
“You’re watching TV.”
I pause the video for the title. Walk Your Dog TV: Virtual Dog Walk. “Millie loves it, don’t you, girl?”
The dog rolls on her back, four paws high. She stretches and wags her tail. I ruffle her stomach. Her rear leg thumps good time.
“Pretty certain this isn’t the walk Grandma had in mind,” my sister says.
“Pretty certain Grandma didn’t watch YouTube.”
She pushes in beside Millie. An unseen dog walks the wet granite setts to St. Michael’s Mount.
“Where’s the dog?”
“Behind the camera.”
We virtual walk past a young girl slapping puddles with her pink rain boots.
My sister shakes her head. “There’s no dog. Kids can’t walk past a dog without squealing or making kissy faces.”
“Maybe this dog’s sort of normal looking.’
“Maybe this dog’s a guy wearing a camera.”
“Great, thanks for ruining the walk for Millie.”
“We’re not walking at all!”
A couple strolls by with two Corgis.
“Millie would be all over those dogs,” my sister says.
“Maybe English dogs have better manners.”
“The camera never deviates off path. It’s all trod, trod, trod.”
Joggers flashing red shirts run towards St. Michael’s, giant in the sky.
“That seals it. No chasing, no barking by Virtual Dog? Wait, how did we get on the beach?”
“We walked the dog through the island already. Pay attention.”
She throws Millie’s leash across the back of the couch and settles in. “This is Cornwall, right? Grandma always did want to travel.”
For Paul Dinning
Thank you for reading this wander of a post. Safe travels.