A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

May 15, 2019

The Back Story ~ Pierce

In a stroke of genius, Frank had chosen Pierce to be the new mascot in order to make the public less afraid of the police. They were used to seeing big German Shepherds as dogs used in police work, but never a dog like Pierce. 

What was so genius is that no one suspected Pierce was actually a formidable secret asset to the department. 

For instance:
  • There were the ears permanently cocked and ready to eavesdrop on criminal conversations.
  • There were the wide-set bulging eyes that never missed a movement and could look left and right at the same time.
  • There were the protruding bottom teeth, excellent for picking locks.
  • There was the stubble on the chin, the roly-poly neck, and the pork-pie hat. Actually, they had no special qualities other than to disarm the public.
  • But the flat feet were an absolute necessity for any good detective and that curly-q tail of Pierce’s could snake through even the smallest hole with a remote camera.
Yes, indeed, genius!


Darnell J. Knauss, Author
Cornelia Wenokor, Illustrator
©05/15/2019
Vol. 1, Ep. 4
See top tab for all episodes.

41 comments:

Gerrina said...

Super illustration and story! Read and looked with pleasure while eating my breakkie... Hugs, Gerrina

Sandra H said...

Fabulous l checked out every detail specified on your detective your a genus yourself Darnell 😉 your day xx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

A fantastic little tale to go with this great image.

Sue xx

Cat Craig said...

another great collaboration.

Ros Crawford said...

Stop it! You guys are killing me! Terrific!

kiwimeskreations said...

thank you for the giggle Darnell - only you could create a story like that from that fabulous card and sweet image!! Love them both - the story and the card
Blessings
Maxine

Chris said...

I now have an unforgettable image of a stubbly chinned pug picking a lock with his lower teeth...awesome!!!
xx

Carol L said...

HaHaHaHa!! You are the best and so is Pierce :)

Maria Rodriguez. said...

Darnell, I just went back and read the other stories and I love them all!!
All of them are unique and full of wit and imagination, leave it to you to write them so cleverly and to Cornelia to illustrate exactly what you are saying.
Thank you so much for sharing them, I can't wait for the next one.
Sending Hugs.
Maria.💕💐

oldpunca said...

Indeed genius story! Have I told you already, that you have to be a writer? :-)
Thank you for the dose of today's giggling.
Hugs, Sonja

Em Louise Fairley said...

Love these collabs. Grin xoxo

Donna said...

Great card and narrative, I know when I come to your blog Darnell that I will leave with a smile. Hugs, Donna

Brenda in IN said...

No one would suspect Pierce to be anything but a disarming sweet puppy while, in fact, he is helping catch criminals. Frank chose well and you and Cornelia told his story perfectly. I'll be on the lookout for him. (Not that I am planning any crimes). currently.

Di said...

Oh what a fun post Darnell - and from what I read there must be more if I go hunting!

About the hedgies - yes, our UK hedgies are very sweet and shy. So we're quite honored that they don't roll up into a ball when they see us coming. They do have teeth but certainly wouldn't bite other than to eat food. And, they sleep for many months of the year of course when it gets cold. I'm a bit involved with a local charity which rescues wildlife (mostly hedgies bit also birds etc.). I found they have a Wish List on Amazon and we recently sent them a heavy duty stick blender via Amazon. They use it to mush down the food for little rescued ones! Aaaw.

I would love to join in with your Two-fer Challenge - am actually walking around a bit so with luck this might be a shorter flare!

Love

Di xx

I Card Everyone said...

Another fun story, and OH watchout Mr. Brosnan - there's a new Pierce in town!
=]

JD/ Jill said...

Cute card! I wish I had your great story telling abilities! You should write a book! It would be a best seller! Smile

Sarah said...

You have such a knack with words Darnell and have brought that little character to life perfectly xx

conil said...

Bwahhahahahahhaahaa. What a delight to wake up to...this is absolutely charming and so much fun. Cornelia's art is perfect to illustrate your stories which, incidently, should be in a book.

Verna Angerhofer said...

Your talents as a story teller are wonderful and you have captured the essence of the cute design that Corneila did perfectly. You make a great pair with the images and fun tales. Thanks for entertaining us.

Mia said...

Lovely story and a gorgeous card, Darnell. Kisses!!!!!!

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Love the chuckle story AND so informative about this fabby image. Love your card.
Faith x

Lisa said...

Oh I love it!! What a fun story about Pierce!! Totally makes me smile!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Nan G said...

Beautiful collaboration 💖💖 mwah to both of you!

Celeste Goff said...

How fun!

cuilliesocks said...

A brilliant story Darnell, and a fabulous card. Pierce is just so sweet, and you have an amazing imagination, Kate x x

Viv said...

I think I could take exception for the 'flat feet being a necessity for a detective' Mrs K!! But seeing as how Pierce is bound to be one of the best K9's in history I shall forgive you! x

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Brilliant!

Karenladd said...

OH MY GOSH... Was this an example of the dog finding the profession, or the profession finding the dog? I think a bit of both, ha! (still chuckling at the bulging eyes that can look right and left at the same time)

Redanne said...

Pierce is adorable even with his lock-picking teeth, I love his hat too! The story is quite simply fabulous, you have a happy knack of leaving us wanting more.... and more! It is a wonderful story. Hugs, Annie xxx

Sandy said...

Somehow (mainly the fact that I've basically been absent from blogging for months), I hadn't come across your Back Story series until this one. This is so much fun, and the illustration is perfect. I'll be checking out the prior entries as well.
(I also loved how you worked Hammy into your two-fer cards this time!)

Lisa Elton said...

Too much FUN Darnell!

Cheryl W. said...

Pierce reminds me a bit of Columbo--with looks that are disarming, but smart as a whip and able to solve every crime. Cool card, cool story!

Lisa T said...

Haha!! Love the back stories... So much fun to be had from one cute image!

Leslie Miller said...

I laughed all the way through this! I'm sure my hubby, playing solitaire on the computer behind me, can't imagine what is so funny about stamping blogs. Little does he know... Cornelia's card and coloring are super and I sooo enjoyed your story. Cutest little flat foot ever!

Becca Sadler said...

Darnell: another clever and cute collaboration of story and illustration!

Bobby said...

So funny, Darnell. Yes his eyes do go in opposite directions, don't they?

Pat said...

What a sweet and funny image from Cornelia, and your story is great Darnell. I love the idea of his curly tail snaking through small gaps with a camera attached..lol. x

Bonnie said...

This guy looks like Kelli's dog. Maybe he's a secret agent!

Sharron said...

Love your creative little 'tail'!! Pierce should be a welcome assistant for any police department!

Ruth said...

You are hilarious! Although whenever I think of Pierce I think of Brosnan and Remington Steele..... xx

Neet said...

Darnell, you have the knack for writing stories and things. This is hilarious, love it and I love the doggy, or should I see Police Dog. He is perfect with his many attributes. Well done!
Hugs, Neet xx