Cold Furry Shoulder

Not talking to me!

Hello to all,

Everyone has experienced someone giving them the cold shoulder. It comes after a felt affront, whether real or imaginary. A coworker, sibling, or even a lifelong partner has a bout of anger, and instead of speaking up while their ire is burning, they choose to remain silent. Despite your cheerful demeanor, they remain unemotional and distant until the resentment melts away. However, this pales in comparison to the cold until your dog is mad at you. You have never felt so icy until you experienced the cold furry shoulder.

Tammy slices a banana onto her cereal in the morning. The potassium helps her through the day.  Accidentally and on purpose, a hunk of banana feeds our spoiled and entitled dog, Ginger. It started with an insincere oops as a piece fell on the floor. Through the years, it has become a morning ritual with Ginger racing up the stairs for her morning treat.

I didn't pick up bananas on my trip to the grocery store, and we ran out on Sunday. Tammy claimed she told Ginger it was her fault for not putting bananas on the list, but Ginger still blamed me for it, since it is Tammy who spoiled her with bananas, blueberries, and whipped cream.

As I tried to pet her that afternoon, she turned away from showing me her butt. She then walked away with disgust radiating out as each paw touched the floor. There was a long side-eye before escalating the stairs to mom’s craft room. I call this behavior the cold furry shoulder.

Ginger remained cold and distant until Thursday, as we had bought more bananas on Wednesday. Thursday morning breakfast had the required hunk of banana. Just as our relationship warmed up, the visiting nurse came, and we locked her in the bedroom. Of course, the entire blame was placed directly on me, and I spent the rest of the day receiving the cold furry shoulder.

Huffs of discontent, sighs of resentment, and moans of annoyance filled the afternoon. While she was power napping in the living room, I made the mistake of entering the room. The groan of umbrage stopped me in my tracks. She slinked off the couch and turned her cold, furry shoulder to me before joining Mom in the craft room.

Grace to all,

Danny Mac