Holy cannoli, those Win A Doodle contest ballots came pouring in!
And along with the ballots came a wide and wild assortment of possibly perfect fictional pets. Some choices were inspired (Brain from Inspector Gadget) others were suicidal (Smaug from The Hobbit), and, in one case, bewildering (Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights).
Unfortunately, none of you selected the correct pet:
The perfect fictional pet is Gromit from Wallace & Gromit. The pooch is cute, quiet, brilliant, self-motivated, a cracking electrician, a fine housekeeper and a superb knitter. He also doesn’t shed, is not slobbery, and can take himself out for walks with or without Techno-trousers. He is also loyal enough to accompany his human to the moon and back.
As I said, perfect.
By the way, if you haven’t seen a Wallace & Gromit movie, please get on that won’t you?
***
Before I get on with announcing the contest winner, I’m afraid I have some news:
Remember a few weeks back when I mentioned that I’m a little accident prone? Well, I have sustained my second bed-making accident. My pathological quest for hospital corners has resulted in a ripped tendon in my ring finger.
This is my doodling hand, I’m afraid. Fortunately I have figured out ways to compensate for the splint, so I don’t think my injury will inhibit my doodling.
In other words, the winner of this contest will now be the recipient of a Custom Made Mike Allegra Overcoming Injury Doodle! This type of doodle very rare! It’s also inspiring and heartwarming! It’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, really.
***
OK, enough nonsense. Let’s get down to business. All of the ballots were dumped into the Penguin Ice Bucket of Mystery.
The happy judge took his position…
He shook well.
He continued to shake well.
And he shook well a little more.
He really should stop shaking now.
Oh, for God’s sakes, kid, knock it off!
And the winner is…
Sarah Wesson!
Congratulations, Sarah! You get a Custom Made Mike Allegra Overcoming Injury Doodle! (Suitable for framing.)
All you have to do is go up to the “Hire Me!” menu and send me an email.
Thanks to everyone who entered! See you next week!
Hey, Look! A Writer Fellow! 
Remember Heathcliff the cat cartoon? Who would you rather have? The cartoon Heathcliff or the gothic Heathcliff? Who’s with me on this? (And congrats to Sarah!)
Let’s just agree that anything or anyone named Heathcliff would make a terrible pet.
I you are forced to have a Heathcliff, go with the cat, definitely.
Despite my feelings about cats, I would have to agree with you on this one.
Congrats to Sarah! 🙂
Yep, she’s cool. You should check out her blog if you don’t already.
https://wessonblog.wordpress.com/
That’s awesome… I missed the pet guessing contest… I wonder who I would have picked but honestly Heathcliff cracked me up although I imagine he would be a dangerous pet and would more than likely wet on the carpet.
Well, fear not, Sheila. There will be another doodle contest this summer. Keep your eyes peeled!
As to your other point, all Heathcliffs are bad news.
…. c’mon, Mike. Making the bed is seriously overrated when it comes to chores. I think it’s time you give up on that one.
But my tootsies like being warm and snuggly like a li’l cinnamon bun!
Ah, I forgot about Gromit. He’d be an excellent pet, to be sure.
Indeed he is. But, hey, Tock’s no slouch!
Oh my goodness….I feel like I should send reams of bubble wrap for your house chores!!
You are a lovely person, Susan, but I’m sure I’d still find a way to hurt myself.
Really?! I won?!
AWESOME!
Please give your son my thanks for his truly excellent shaking and selection skillz!
Now . . . what should I ask for that won’t hurt your hand? Hmmm . . . maybe a Rube Goldberg machine for safely making beds?
(Gromit is NOT a pet. Gromit belongs to Gromit.)
Oh, aren’t you a funny one!
Now shoot me an email with what you really want and I’ll get started.
Congrats again, my friend!
Yes. Yes I am.
And yessir! 🙂
You ripped a tendon in your finger making your bed?!!
I hope my sons don’t hear about this one or they’ll never make a bed again 😉
No worries. We’ll keep this just between us.
Congratulations Sarah!!! A genuine injury overcoming doodle! Considering his accident record, perhaps you should have Mike sign them in a numbered series….I have a feeling there are going to be more injury overcoming doodles. After all, every bed has four corners needing the perfect hospital tuck…..he’s a goner.
Yeah, I’m doomed. And considering my injury rate, i don’t think an injury doodle is going to be all that rare in the future. The rare doodles will be the ones I draw when I’m uninjured.
seriously I hope that’s not the case but frankly I think such propensity for in house injuries should exempt you from that type of work. It worth a try. I hate to think of you trying to change a light bulb…..
The irony is that I kind of enjoy keeping a clean house — that is, on the occasions I don’t get wounded.
And if you should get a paper cut while completing your injury doodle, Sarah will have a part of you forever…literally!
Are you suggesting that Sarah would have me cloned?
It probably was creepier than that…zombies in my head…creating some kind of mutant form of you. I don’t know why this came to my mind because I hate zombies…they are really creepy and the word “creepy” and “Mike” have never intermingled in my universe. 😉
Being nice, I’m going to say congrats to Sarah. But I’m bummed. Sigh, Waiting now until your NEXT doodle contest. In the meantime, I’m sending out prayers for you as you wash dishes/pile laundry into the machine/sweep the kitchen floor and other god-defying mighty and dangerous household chores. Be careful out there, Mike.
Oh, my friend, don’t be bummed, this won’t be the last doodle contest.
And thanks for those prayers. I’m gonna need them.
Congratulations, Sarah! You are the lucky recipient of a never-before-seen, never-before-experienced, “overcoming-injury-to-draw-a-doodle doodle.” It’s like winning the grand prize! Especially since Mike will most likely never suffer from this malady ever, ever again because his wife will have had the corners sawed off all of the beds in the house to save him from any more excruciating pain and humiliation. Well, now that I think a little more about this, she may add extra corners to the beds to see if he can overcome his self-destructive tendencies. So, perhaps, additional bandaged fingers are in his future. He may hold another doodle contest that features him drawing while in a full body cast….Can’t wait for the action photos….
Conspiracy theory alert! Notice how the winning recipient’s name is—Sarah—and the subject of Mike’s book is named—Sarah! Hmmmmmm, me thinks I smell a rat. Lucy! She’s responsible for this…..
If my bed gets fewer (or more) Ellen is not going to be the one to remove (or add) them. That would be my job. And, in so doing I will probably hurt myself again.
And for the record, Lucy was never left alone with the ballots at any point. We don’t take kindly to ratty shenanigans when there’s a contest going on!
Just stay away from chain saws.
Reblogged this on Dear Writers and commented:
Dear Mister Allegra,
I’m writing to you on account of missing that contest of yours by a day. Sometimes things come up in your life, and sometimes you are a day late.
That last sentence, although written in second person, refers to me.
I’m talking about the contest where someone could go to your blog called heylookawriterfellow and say what pet we wished we could have and why, and then your kid draws all the names from a jar, and whoever wins gets to have a doodle of said pet doodled by you, specifically for them, and they can frame it and hang it on their wall over their desk or in the hallway or on the fridge.
But I was a day late, like I said, so somebody named Sarah won, and I don’t have anything against Sarah, and in fact I don’t know her, but now she gets the doodle I’m pretty sure I would have won, or at least had a chance of winning if you weren’t so picky about deadlines and all.
The pet I would have said was a salamander, and here’s why. As you know from dropping by my blog now and then, I write stories for grown-ups. But for some reason, this guy called Luther asked if I could come and read a children’s poem to some kids at this show he’s putting on with a bunch of actual poets who do write stuff for kids, and probably have some kids of their own, which I don’t, so it’s hard to practice saying a kid’s poem to your dog. And it’s not really fair, because some of them can draw too, but I can’t.
So when I was trying to figure out what I could write that wouldn’t include my usual character lineup of grifters and drifters who swear and such, I went outside to drink some tea on my patio to think about it. There was a salamander hanging out on my patio, which at first I thought was dead but he wasn’t, and we ended up having a pretty good talk. He was a little parched from being stuck on my patio in the sun, but I rescued him and put him in some soft leaves and put water there for him. He had to go home then, but I was thinking it would be nice to have a pet that was a salamander, and I wrote a poem-ish thing in his honor to read to those kids.
Here’s one other thing. My friend Luther is going to use technology to project our poems on the wall while we say them, and if I had won your contest yesterday I could have had him put a picture of my new friend the salamander on the wall, and the kids would like it, and I could tell them that you drew it especially for them and that you also write books and stuff. But now it’s too late, because of one teensy weensy day. A day!
Once in sixth grade I was late and got a zero. The teacher said you shouldn’t complain because it was your fault that you were late and someday you will understand why it’s important to be on time. So I guess this is that time. And I’m happy for Sarah, because she does seem like a very nice person who is a librarian and a mom and also a writer.
Okay, so bye.
Your friend, Laurel
P.S. I’m sorry you hurt your finger.
Oh, Laurel, you’re breaking my heart.
In situations like this, I always look to my own beloved sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Snelback, for inspiration and guidance. If I had offered her a similar story for being late with an assignment she would have said, “Oh, you poor thing.”
Then she would have said, “ZERO! And be thankful I’m not giving you negative numbers!”
Then she would have laughed in a “Bwa ha ha!” kind of way.
Just sayin’.
You pal,
Mike
Oh man! Was your sixth grade teacher married to my sixth grade teacher? Oh well, you came blame a girl for trying. I guess I’m going to have to take those drawing lessons after all. I hope my picture of a salamander doesn’t make the little kids cry. 🙂
It’ll toughen them up.
Yeah, I guess it’s important for kids to be a little tough in case they sustain serious finger injury trying to master daring feats of bravery, like sumo bed making, for example. But they could always just get a futon. Dang, life lessons are such a bummer!
Congratulations, Sarah! Yay!
Whew! It’s only your ring finger, Mike. I hope you heal fast! ;D xoxoM
Thanks, my friend. I’ve had this before. It’ll need another month in the splint.
Oh my goodness! Will you just stick to doodling. Yay for Sarah!
I’ll try, but those beds won’t make themselves!
Congrats to Sarah! Haha thanks for including that little part of Smaug! I can’t stop laughing! XD This is one of the best competitions though, I hope you do another one soon…like…tomorrow? 😉 I’m kidding. 🙂
Glad you liked it, Caitlin! (But really, Smaug?!)
I’ll almost certainly have another contest this summer, so keep your eyes peeled!
Haha! I’m guessing you’re not exactly a huge fan of dragons! I will definitely be entering again! 😉
1. Sorry you’ve managed another bed-making boo boo –sounds like some latent hostilities need therapyizing 2. Gromit is great, yet Toto has Mojo 3. Your kid has the makings of a tornado, that could be trouble in New Jersey
I do have hostility toward untucked sheets, yes. Is that not normal?
Here’s hoping you’re back to getting email announcements for my posts. Someday I would love to draw a cow on a pogo stick.
Time for a duvet–no top sheet. And what’s stopping you from doodling that pogo cow?
Who knew bed making was so dangerous?
Congratulations Sarah!!!
It can be life threatening.
Yay for Sarah. Sorry about the injury! Yikes. Next time I make poor corners, I will plead the “injury” possibility card. Hope you heal soon. You have doodles to make!
Noooo! Fix those corners now! A torn tendon is a small price to pay for snuggy feet!
Hm. Maybe Cricketmuse is right. Perhaps I do need therapy.
I need to remind myself that I’m a big girl. Hope against hope. Foiled AGAIN!
lol…seriously, Congrats, Sarah, and I can’t wait to see the doodle! 😀 And I must say, the judge’s shaking technique is easily a 9 out of 10. It would’ve been 10 out of 10, but I didn’t win 😉
And glad to see you have a straight splint on that sucker, Mike. I broke my finger back in the 90s when El Nino arrived in April, I slipped on ice and my finger got slammed in my car door and draaaaaaaaaaaged down as I collapsed. The moron in the E.R. the following day (my sister-in-law insisted I go) put my finger in a CURVED splint. I even TOLD him it felt so much better splinted straight! I’ll show you what resulted when I see you at the conference. Moron *sigh*
People in the ER not only bend the splint incorrectly, they also give you a much larger splint than necessary. A reconstructive surgeon showed me what to do. He saved me a lot of grief.
*sigh* There’s never a reconstructive surgeon around when you need one! Well, when I need one 😉
Dang! I didn’t win! *GA-AA-GCK* Sorry Vader! Just stop choking! *gasps for air*…
Congrats Ms. Wesson! 😀
And this is why we don’t pick Vader as a pet. Geeze, Erik!
I love Gromit! Who wouldn’t want a pet who is perfectly skilled at pointing out your idiotic tendencies with just a sad shake of his head? I also wouldn’t mind having Shaun the Sheep as a pet either. Hope your finger heels soon and maybe you should take a more college-try approach to those bed corners!
I am also a big fan of Shaun (that is, the clever and resourceful Shaun of the “Shaun the Sheep” TV show, not the Shaun of “A Close Shave” who eats up everything in Wallace & Gromit’s house).
oh I was definitely talking about the quick-witted Shaun from ‘Shaun the Sheep’ TV show. I’ve been humming the theme song all morning!
It’s a dang good show. (And, yes, it’s theme song is too catchy for its own good.)
Did you know that Shaun the Sheep movie will becoming out later this year? My boy and I are eager to see it.
THERE’S GOING TO BE A MOVIE!?! I’ll be seeing that one!
Of course Grommit! But I love the Inspector Gadget dog too. I could not decide and the whole thing gave me heartburn for a week!!!
SO sorry about your finger. 🙂
Really, Lauri? This contest made you ill? Reeeeally?
You didn’t just… oh, I don’t know…flake out about it, didja?
I cannot believe I forgot about Wallace and Gromit. They are my most favorite animation ever! I love those two trying to catch the giant bunny that ruined everyone’s garden’s, and the penguin that tried to steal the diamond, and . . . and . . . I need to watch some TV. I now miss Wallace and Gromit. I also have a sudden craving for cheese!? Take care of your finger, Mike. Congrats to the winner. You will love your doodle.
Oh, I adore The Wrong Trousers. That penguin is a perfectly evil villain and that model train chase was brilliant.
I have never known anyone who even knew who Wallace and Gromit are or there animations.
Mike, you are a cartoon wizard. I bet no one could name a character that you don’t know. Wow. Here’s to automated dressing tubes, moon cheese, and sheep.
Have you seen the W&G movies or only Nick Park’s video’s/mini movies? Park is a stop-motion genius.
Unless I’m mistaken, W&G has four half-hour movies: “A Grand Day Out,” “The Wrong Trousers”. “A Close Shave,” and “A Matter of Loaf and Death.” Only the last one was disappointing. Then of course there is the feature, “The Curse of the Wererabbit.” Are there others that I’m missing? I know there were also a series of *very* short movies called “Cracking Contraptions” a while back that were made to train new animators for “Wererabbit.”
And yes, Nick Park is amazing! Have you seen “Creature Comforts”? I love that lion.
Your drawings are amazing….just read many of these replies and the dialogue with you and Laurel Leigh..“Please doodle a salamander for the kids of Whatcom County! Oh please!
My goodness. What is it with Washingtonians and salamanders?
Hmmm, for one thing, with the rainfall level, we’re soaking wet most of the time, which basically makes us amphibians.
So you can pretty much draw anything and it would be a salamander. So get cracking.
Yes, in theory and in spirit, and in heaven, since this seems to be getting quite biblical over on your Facebook page, but nonetheless, were I to even attempt to draw a doodle it would disappoint even my mother. So again I say unto you: ppppplllllleeeeaaassseeee!!
I sadly never entered but it wouldn’t have mattered as I don’t have a T.V. and I live in Brazil and I’m totally not in the know about any of these wacky characters. Right now I’m sort of feeling like an old portrait painting of somebody long forgotten, hanging is some wayside hall of a no longer important palace. I write historical fiction and I can see I am missing out on a lot of quirky fun! P-p-l-lease doodle a salamander for the kids of Whatcom County!
There’s no need to feel like an old portrait painting, Stephanie! You’re always welcome to hang out here and join in the fun!
Oh, wait. You’re one of those salamander people. Let me show you out.
Oh, don’t give up, Stephanie! I sense a slight wavering by the artist. There’s still a slim sliver of hope.
A bed-making accident is infinitely more impressive than one of those run-of-the-mill writing accidents… Anyway, I can’t think of better occupational therapy than doodling a salamander for the kids of Whatcom County; clinical studies have shown that salamander doodles accelerate healing by up to 10%.
Pfft. 10% is practically no acceleration at all. I think I’ll just suffer.
I’m almost positively sure that she meant to add another zero to that percentage!
If your injured finger wants to start a band, I have a sprained foot that would like to join. Call me! 🙂
What instrument can your foot play?
Guitar.
My finger can play the piano. If we can find a concussed drummer, we can set up a walking wounded jazz trio. I’ll put an ad on Craigslist.
Wallace and Gromit! Yes, most definitely the best pet.
I just knew we’d be fast friends, Dino.
Reading a few of your posts this morning really put a smile on my face. What a great way to start a Friday!
Ya got a good lookin’ kid, too. 🙂
Thanks, Kate!
And I did luck out with a good looking lad, didn’t I?
Indeed you did!