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Comedy: December 13, 2023 Issue [#12318]




 This week: Holiday Review Challenge
  Edited by: GeminiGem🐾 Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter





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Happy Holidays! I am GeminiGem🐾, one of the regular editors of the Comedy Newsletter. This month I am challenging you to do a review.


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Letter from the editor

Holiday Review Challenge!


RULES! Read the holiday-themed story below and send a well thought out review. I copied and pasted the story here for you, but you will need to go to the original story link to do the review "Danger Dog and the Yuletide DragonOpen in new Window..

*Giftr*I will send a holiday-themed MERIT BADGE for every helpful, thoughtful review I receive on this story in December 2023.


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*Holly1* Danger Dog and the Yuletide Dragon *Holly2*


It was Christmas eve and Mojito was worried about dragons.

Not just any dragons, but the brightly-colored ones that Auntie Denise had brought to the house for an early Christmas present for Mojito and his brother, Beanito. The dragons were there, in his house, and his momma had made him put on his warmest Christmas sweater and hooded coat to go Christmas caroling around the neighborhood. Who would keep an eye on the dragons?

Walking through the snowy evening, Mojito was glad momma had bundled him up in his warmest clothes. His brown and black fur was glossy and short, and was made for lying in patches of sun to soak up the warmth. Mojito was also glad there were enough people in the caroling group so that he couldn't hear just his momma singing. Grandma sang like an angel, Auntie Denise wasn't too bad, but momma...let’s just say it wasn't what he loved the most about her. There was supposed to be cookies involved in this gathering, momma had promised. This made Mojito's tail wag. The promise was the only thing that had persuaded him to leave the dragons behind.

They ended the evening of caroling at Mrs. Smith’s house. Her house felt warm and inviting after the snow and the chilly air. People enjoyed warm spiced cider, eggnog and Christmas cookies. Mrs. Smith had even made some special dog cookies. They were shaped liked bones and had dog friendly frosting on them. Mojito decided that it had been worth walking through the snow for this.

People started leaving the party after a little while, and Mojito was feeling a little sleepy. He found a cozy spot on the couch and curled up for a nap. His momma was helping Mrs. Smith clean up after the party, so they would probably be here for a while. The lights were dim except for the Christmas tree lights. The stereo was on low playing Christmas music. It was very peaceful and relaxing. Mojito could use the time to consider what he needed to do about those dragons back at his house.

CRUNCH. CRUNCH, CRUNCH. CRUNCH.

Mojito’s eyes flew open and his head came up. He looked around, trying to find the sound that had jarred him out of his snooze. The only thing he could see was Sonic, lying next to the Christmas tree. He had something between his paws, and he was busy crunching it up and eating it. Sonic had a habit of trying to eat things that weren't strictly meant to be eaten. Mojito wasn't surprised that the thing Sonic was eating was an ornament he had seen on Mrs. Smith’s tree earlier.

Mojito was unsure what to do. Did he go into Danger Dog mode and warn people that this big, dumb dog was trying to eat their tree decorations? At his own house, there would have been no doubt. Danger Dog always protected who and what was his. This was actually Sonic’s house, so maybe he was allowed to eat things off of the tree.

CRUNCH, CRUNCH.

Sonic licked his lips, then flopped over on his side and fell asleep. Mojito’s momma and Mrs. Smith came into the living room a few minutes later. Mrs. Smith was telling a story about Christmas when she was a child.

“This is the salt dough ornament I made when I was seven.” Mrs. Smith reached around the tree to take off an ornament, but all she found was the hook. “That’s odd, I was sure I hung it on this part of the tree.”

Sonic woke up, lifted his head to see what everyone was up to, and thumped his tail. Mrs. Smith looked down and froze. The remains of her ornament were in tiny pieces where Sonic’s head had just been. He had eaten the 30-year-old, hard-as-a-rock Christmas ornament that Mrs. Smith has made out of dough when she was a child.

“Is there anything that dog won’t eat?” Mojito’s momma asked.

“If it’s even vaguely food-like, he considers it fair game. I once had a tightly wrapped sandwich in my purse for about ten minutes. Sonic saw the purse a week later and was sure there was still food in it. He sticks his head in it and sniffs every time he has an opportunity just to make sure he hasn't missed anything.”

“I’m surprised he hasn't eaten your wallet just for good measure.”

“Good point. I think I’ll keep my purse out of his reach from now on.”

“I forgot to tell you that we brought over yours and Sonic’s gifts tonight so that you could open them when your family is here. They are with our coats, I’ll just grab them so you can put them under the tree.”

When Mojito’s momma came back, she had the remains of a box, torn-up wrapping paper, and a puzzled expression on her face. Mrs. Smith laughed.

“Oh dear, it looks like Sonic already found his present. He doesn't miss a thing, even when you don’t think he’s paying attention. He probably should put that nose to good use, like a police sniffing dog or a search and rescue dog.” Sonic came trotting down the hall with the world’s largest bone in his mouth. He dropped it at Mrs. Smith’s feet, narrowly missing one of her toes. “Sonic, you really need to learn to wait until someone gives you a gift before you unwrap it.”

They all put their coats back on for the short walk next door to Mojito’s house. Mrs. Smith, Auntie Denise, Sonic, and Beanito were going to come over for a little while since it was still early evening.

Mojito and Beanito chased each other around Mojito’s house and then stopped to wrestle. Sonic stayed in the living room while the ladies went into the kitchen to make coffee and chat. Sassy the Squirrel came out of her room to see what was going on in the house. She saw the two brothers wrestling and wisely steered clear. She saw Sonic in the living room and made a dash for the Christmas tree.

Sonic lumbered over to the Christmas tree to see where Sassy had disappeared. He sat down and peered at the tree with his floppy ears pricked forward. Sassy sat on one of the tree branches and flicked her tail at him. That just made Sonic more interested, so she started chattering at him in agitation. Sassy scooted towards the end of the branch, and it dipped under her weight. Sassy clearly considered this to be Sonic’s fault so she began to scold him with renewed vigor. Then she grabbed an ornament hanging on the end of the branch and threw it at Sonic. It missed his big, boxy head and bounced off of his shoulder. She ran back toward the trunk, and the whole tree shook in protest as the branch returned to it’s original spot.

Thinking the ornament that just bonked him might be another crunchy dough ornament like his momma had on their own tree, he got up to check it out. Sassy picked another decoration and was about to throw it at Sonic when the ladies walked into the living room. They all stopped as they watched the scene in front of them.

“Sassy, you aren't supposed to be up on the Christmas tree, and you shouldn't be throwing our ornaments at poor Sonic,” their momma said. “You are very lucky that Sonic is so good-natured about things like that!”

“He probably thought she was tossing him a snack,” Mrs. Smith said.

Auntie Denise suggested, “Why don’t we get out the new toys out for everyone. Maybe that will keep them out of trouble for a little while.”

Mrs. Smith had brought the gigantic bone for Sonic to chew on when he was visiting Mojito’s house, and he got right to work on it. There was a new, challenging peanut feeder for Sassy. There were the soft baby dragons for Mojito and Beanito to wrestle. They made crinkly noises and squeaked with any contact. The brothers took the dragons in the back bedroom and made a big game at being Dragon Slayers. The house became a castle to defend, complete with damsels in distress. Never mind that the ladies were in the living room talking and laughing like they didn't know they were in distress. They needed to be protected from these beasts. Danger Dog to the rescue! Cue the Dragon Slaying theme music!

Beanito jumped on his bright blue dragon with both front paws. The dragon let out a loud, satisfying squeak. He then started digging at the beast with his front claws, causing it to jump around. Mojito grabbed his apple green dragon by the nose, then dove into its belly repeatedly. The dragon put up a huge fuss. Then he took it by its tail and shook it. That should have finished it off, but this was no ordinary beast.

Mojito looked over at Beanito. He was panting from playing so hard, but he hadn't given up on his blue dragon. Mojito growled and renewed his own efforts with his green dragon, grabbing it by the nose and slinging it. Mojito happily ran after his dragon and performed a full body slam. There, that should keep the beast down.

Mojito could hear his momma calling him from the living room. He looked at his dragon. It was lying there in a heap. He figured the castle was safe enough for now, so he ran into the living room to see what his momma wanted. Beanito was right behind him.

It was time for everyone to go home. Beanito and Sonic had to put their coats back on to go out in the cold and snow. After hugs and lots of wishes of “Merry Christmas!”, everyone headed to their own homes. The house was suddenly very quiet.

Mojito trotted back into the living room and stopped dead in his tracks. Lying there on the floor next to the couch was the apple green dragon. How in the world did it get there? Mojito had left it, defeated, in the back bedroom...


Editor's Picks

*Stockingv*Holiday stories and poems to make you laugh or leave you smiling.

 
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I don't need no stinking reindeer . . . .
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Dennis the Elf Open in new Window. (13+)
Contest entry. The elves form a union.
#2310062 by D. Reed Whittaker Author IconMail Icon


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#2208463 by Not Available.


 
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A Jar of Your Finest Christmas Spirit Open in new Window. (E)
A dose of Christmas Spirit in the midst of Summer
#2001499 by 👼intuey Author IconMail Icon


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Jingle Bells, Alfie Smells Open in new Window. (E)
A rewriting of the Christmas classic 'Jingle Bells'. This was my dog, Alfie's, fave song.
#2310089 by Choconut Author IconMail Icon


 The December Promise Open in new Window. (E)
Amazing things happen in December.
#2310066 by WriterRick Author IconMail Icon


 
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The Life and Crimes of Elfenezer Spruce Open in new Window. (13+)
What A Character Entry December 2020
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*Stockingb*CONTESTS with a HOLIDAY or WINTER THEME

 
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Bah Humbug! Open in new Window. (13+)
Christmas is cancelled...
#2141771 by NaNoKit Author IconMail Icon


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The Bard's Hall Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
NOVEMBER: Comedy... Thanksgiving with the Family
#981150 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon


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Horror Writing Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
A contest involving writing a horror story. Simple, really.
#2273172 by s Author IconMail Icon


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Santa, Elves, and Reindeer Contest Open in new Window. (ASR)
My 2023 Christmas Contest - bring your best short story to win great prizes!
#1730016 by Beck Firing back up! Author IconMail Icon


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Short Shots: Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. (ASR)
Use the photo to inspire your creativity. Write a short story and win big prizes!
#1221635 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon


All the contests

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Contest Clues Open in new Window. (E)
List of WdC Writing Contests, Challenges, Activities. Clues To What's Open, What's Closed!
#2221492 by GeminiGem🐾 Author IconMail Icon

 
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