Stop Making Up Words – Conversations with the Pack

Posted on by H.J. Hill

I am Doodlebug, King of the Olde English Bulldogges.

Me: Unbeknownst to us, a possum was snooping around the chicken house last night.

Sweetie; Hold on there a minute, Lady Human. Un…be…knownst? You just made that up.

Me: No, it’s actually an old word that doesn’t get used much anymore.

Doodlebug: I wonder why.

Sweetie: It’s hard enough to understand humans without you popping in new words that you pulled off the top of your head.

MoonCat: You mean words that are unbeknownst to you.

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

The Parakeet Dictionary – Conversations with the Pack

Posted on by H.J. Hill

I am Doodlebug, King of the Olde English Bulldogges.

Sweetie: I’m confused.

MoonCat: Is that new and unusual?

Me: What’s the confusion?

Sweetie: Those chattering birds.

Me: The parakeets.

Sweetie: Whatever. I need a word book to understand them.

Me: Like a dictionary?

Doodlebug: Like a “this means this” and “that means that” book, because they make no sense at all and they only talk birdy talk all the time.

MoonCat: Excuse me, please, while I spend my day in a worthwhile pursuit – naptime.

Doodlebug: Start pencil scratching, Lady Human. First word: “Ack”. Always said in a loud voice.

Me: Well, I’m not sure, but it seems to mean they’re excited.

Sweetie: ACK!

Me: Oh, that’s way loud!

Sweetie: I’m bulldog excited! Okay, keep writing! Next word…

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

Write Out Loud! – Conversations with the Pack

Posted on by H.J. Hill

I am Doodlebug. King of the Olde English Bulldogges. What are you doing, Lady Human?

Sweetie: She is scratching a poor innocent piece of paper with her stick again.

Me: It’s called ‘writing’. I put words down on the paper in ink so they can be read.

MoonCat: Words? I don’t hear anything except the scratching. Does the scratching make you feel better? Scratching makes me feel better.

Me: Uh, different type of scratching. I guess it makes me feel better to get the words out.

Doodlebug: Sorry, Lady Human, but no words are coming out.

Sweetie: Yeah, I don’t hear a thing either.

Me: Well, scratching…I mean writing…is silent until it’s read or recited.

Sweetie: That’s kind of selfish. You should share.

Me: How would I share while I’m writing?

The Pack: WRITE OUT LOUD!

Copyright 2023 H.J. Hill All Rights Reserved.