A Cold Nose on the Back of My Knee
Worth every single moment of shock
Have you ever experienced a cold nose on the back of your knee? Phil Perkins has, explaining the value of this shocking occurrence in this “From Our Readers” tale.
Pay no attention to the title of this story. It has nothing to do with lovers with unusual mating habits. No, this story isn’t really about humans at all, unless you count me, and I don’t. It’s about my dog, Skippy. You remember him from “Tails of Two Heroes” and “Disappointing My Dog.” Lately many people have asked me what my semi-famous terrier is up to. Now I can tell you. No good.
Oh, I mean he’s a great companion. In fact, he’s my best buddy, canine variety. He has learned a lot of English words, and I have in turn learned a lot of dog language. Don’t ask me about that though. It’s proprietary.
So, we can communicate quite nicely and have our fun playing in the yard and around the house. Problem is that his appetite knows no bounds. And he’s big enough to stand up and reach any food left on the edge of the counter. Crackers, bread, cookies, you name it. We find the wrappers of his various conquests in his “grazing place” on the couch in the living room.
No matter how hard we try to prevent the scavenging, Skippy always wins out. And that’s where the cold nose comes in. Yes, he’s my constant companion, but in the past two months or so that has included following behind me and putting his cold, wet nose on the back of one knee or the other letting me know he wants something.
I suppose I need to clarify one thing. I always wear cargo shorts or sometimes gym shorts at home, no matter what the temperature or the agenda for the day. It’s been a lifelong habit. As you might imagine, that gives The Skipmeister a perfect target or two. Since the pandemic I actually work from home much of the time. I have to say I find it unsettling when I’m speaking with a client on the coast of Washington State and Skippy is reminding me that he really needs his Greenies right that moment.
And boy his nose is cold! They say that’s sign of good health in a dog and I’m certainly happy about that, but at any given moment the shock of a cold nose to the back of the knee could trigger a myocardial infarction. (One of my best human buddies is a cardiologist lest you are a little too impressed with my knowledge of heart problems.)
So anyway, sometimes I shoo him away when nose meets leg but sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I just give in and figure out what he wants and give it to him. It takes some time but he always shows appreciation with an abundance of sloppy kisses. Life is good! I mean, we’re both getting older and I’d rather live with the shock of the cold nose than not have my buddy Skippy around begging or otherwise.
After all, he is a hero! Look it up.
Phil Perkins is a writer, business owner and musician who lives in Richmond and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, with his wife, Sandi, and two pups named Skippy and Jeter. He is the author of business books and novels, including two about a legendary surfer in the 1960s and five Mac Burns mysteries
Read more like Phil Perkins’s reflections on his furry friend and other contributions from Boomer readers in our
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