Staring Contest – Conversations with the Pack

Posted on by H.J. Hill

I am Doodlebug, King of the Olde English Bulldogges.

Me: What’s going on? Are y’all having a staring contest?

Sweetie: Shhhh! We’re having a staring contest.

Me: That’s what I thought. As long as it doesn’t turn into bulldog fight.

Doodlebug: Why would we interrupt a staring contest with a fight?

Sweetie: Yeah, we can’t fight with our eyes. Can we?

Doodlebug: Don’t look at me like that!

Sweetie: Don’t you look at me like that!

Me: Break it up. Contest over.

MoonCat: I win.

©️ 2026. H.J. Hill. All Rights Reserved.

Dream Grit – Conversations with the Pack

Posted on by H.J. Hill

I am Doodlebug, King of the Olde English Bulldogges.

Me: Sweetie, hold still so I can clean the grit off your eyelid.

Sweetie: NO! NOBODY TOUCHES THE EYE!

Me: Not the eyeball. Just the corner where the sleep collects.

Doodlebug: The sleep?

Me: Yeah, my parents called it that. The grit or sand that collects while we sleep. They said the sandman brought it while we dreamed, but…

Sweetie: Who is this sandman and why did y’all let him break into the house?

Me: It’s just a story. Nobody came in for real. It’s all made-up.

MoonCat: Made-up? Then I have a question. Where did the made-up dream grit come from?

©️ 2025. H.J. Hill. All Rights Reserved.

It’s Rude to Stare – Conversations with the Pack

Posted on by H.J. Hill

I am Doodlebug, King of the Olde English Bulldogges.

Sweetie: Don’t look now, but the beady eyed birds are staring.

Doodlebug: At what?

Sweetie: I said don’t look!

Me: Why are you all agitated?

Doodlebug: Sweetie thinks the little budgies are staring at us.

Me: Well, apparently they are.

Sweetie: They’re invading our space with their eyeballs.

MoonCat: I don’t mind. When someone stares at me, it just means that they’re admitting the truth. I’m good to look at.

©️ 2025 H.J. Hill. All Rights Reserved.

Beady Little Eyes – Conversations with Doodlebug & Sweetie

Posted on by H.J. Hill

I am Doodlebug, King of the Olde English Bulldogges.

Sweetie: They’re doing it again, Lady Human. Those tiny birds are staring at us.

Me: Maybe you’re fun to stare at.

Doodlebug: How can they see anything with those beady little eyes?

Sweetie: They need to get big ole bulldog eyes like ours.

Me: A bulldog eye would be bigger than a parakeet’s entire head.

Doodlebug: Ooooo! Great!

Sweetie: Yeah! Cool! I vote for that!

Copyright 2024. H.J. Hill. All Rights Reserved.

A Gaze vs. A Stare – Conversations with the Pack

Posted on by H.J. Hill

I am Doodlebug, King of the Olde English Bulldogges.

Sweetie: What are you staring at, Doodle?

Doodlebug: I am not staring.

Sweetie: Them eyes of yours are set in a fightin’ mode!

Me: Settle down, both of you. I think Doodlebug is just gazing in your direction. A gaze is not a stare.

Sweetie: When eyeballs are set on me, how am I supposed to tell the difference?

Me: A gaze is softer than a stare. Like the way you’re both looking at me now.

MoonCat: Meow. None of y’all know anything about a stare. Now THIS is a stare!

Copyright 2023 H.J. Hill All Rights Reserved.