Day Seven: Give and Take
Today’s Prompt: Write a post based on the contrast between two things — whether people, objects, emotions, places, or something else.
Today’s twist: write your post in the form of a dialogue. You can create a strong opposition between the two speakers — a lovers’ quarrel or a fierce political debate, for example. Or you could aim to highlight the difference in tone and style between the two different speakers — your call!

“You know, Charlie, it’s really pathetic how you drop whatever you’re doing and rush the door the second you hear their key in the lock.”

“What do you mean it’s pathetic. The humans love it when I greet them. I miss them when they’re gone.”

“You’re never going to train them if act like you’re happy to see them, no matter how long they’ve been gone.”

“But Jonas, I am happy to see them!”

“Even when they left for two weeks and made you stay in a cage?”

“That wasn’t a cage, and there were other dogs to play with. It was kind of fun.”

“You notice they didn’t send me away. Do you know why?”

“Um…no.”

“Because I make them come to me. I let them know when I’m displeased.”

“How do you do that?”

“I leave them presents.”

“Presents?”

“Really, Charlie. Do I have to spell it out for you?” Jonas coughs up a slimy ball, a bit of partially digested food and some clear fluid.

“Oh, gross! Why would I want to give them that?”

“To remind them who’s boss, of course.” Jonas licks a paw and rubs it over his face while Charlie sniffs at the hairball.

“You mean they aren’t the boss? They call me and I come. Then they give me something tasty or take me for a ride.”

“Don’t you remember the last time they took you for a ride? You came back smelling like flowers and had bows stuck to your ears.”

“Yeah, I rolled in the dirt as soon as I had the chance. Those bows were really itchy!”

“You don’t see them taking me for rides or trying to give me a bath. Clearly I’ve trained them better than you have.”

“Did they ever try to give you a bath?” Charlie tries to sniff Jonas and gets a swat on the nose for his trouble.

“They tried once. It didn’t end well.”

“Really? What did you do?”

“Oh, nothing much.” Jonas suddenly found the claws on his right front paw fascinating.

“C’mon, Jonas. Tell me! Tell me!” Charlie began dancing around Jonas. His ears flapped up and down as he hopped back and forth and his tongue hung out the side of his mouth.

“Nothing much. I just scratched up their arms, shredded the shower curtain and splashed water all over the bathroom.” Jonas got a far away look in his eyes and a smug smile on his face.

“Did you get in trouble? If I did that, they’d put me in my crate!”

“On the contrary. They gave me treats and cuddles and apologized.”

“Now I know you’re lying to me.” Charlie pouted.

“True story. That’s the difference between you and me. They know I’m the boss. They have to come to me for attention; not the other way around.”

Charlie flopped down on the floor with his chin resting on his crossed paws. “I’m going to have to think about this. I don’t think I know how to make them do that. My feet start to move all by themselves whenever they call me. How do I stop myself from doing that?”

“I can’t really say, Charlie. It just comes naturally to me.”