The Scent of Confidence
- Debra Flaming
- Oct 11
- 2 min read
Some families have fancy weather apps or storm trackers. We have Gus.
Our mini Aussie—with one brown eye and one blue—can sense a thunderstorm long before a single raindrop falls. The moment the barometer dips, he vanishes into the deepest corner of the basement and curls into a trembling ball of dramatic despair. We know how bad the storm will be by how far under the furniture he burrows.
Fireworks? Let’s just say Independence Day has become his annual emotional support blanket festival.
But today… oh, today was different.
Dion was working on the east side of the farm and I was way out west, taking photos and minding my own business when it hit me—a smell so foul, so pungent, it could peel the paint off the barn. It was that sickly-sweet scent only nature can conjure when cow manure meets stagnant, swampy water and decides to ferment for fun.
At first I thought it was the field. Then the park. Then—heaven help us—the house.
When Dion finally came up from his side of the farm, he wrinkled his nose and said,“Do you smell something terrible?”
That’s when we knew: this was serious.
Naturally, we suspected Cooper. He’s the confident one, still full of cow-dog swagger. He’s been known to proudly perfume himself in the finest aged manure Idaho pastures can offer.
But no. Not today.
Today was Gus’s moment of glory. He had finally found his inner cow dog.
That sweet, nervous, thunder-hiding dog strutted into the yard like he’d just won “Best in Show: Eau de Cow.” His chest was puffed out, his tail held high, and every breeze that passed carried his new… shall we say, signature scent.
Cooper looked downright humbled. Even he couldn’t compete with the sheer strength of Gus’s “natural cologne.”
Needless to say, both dogs will be enjoying a long, luxurious bubble bath before they’re allowed back inside. I just hope it doesn’t wash away all of Gus’s newfound confidence—because for one glorious afternoon, our timid little Aussie believed he was the top cow dog in the valley.
Moral of the Story:
Confidence looks good on everyone—even if it stinks to high heaven.
Ending & Sign-Off
So for now, the bubble bath awaits, and peace (and pleasant air) will soon return to Flaming Acres. Gus may not enjoy the scrubbing that’s coming his way, but something tells me he’ll be secretly proud. After all, every dog deserves their day—especially one who finally found his inner cow dog, the scent of confidence.
Sincerely,
Debra Flaming
