Canine Nose

I was swimming laps in the outdoor YMCA pool last Sunday when I was jolted to a halt by a smell. I looked up and two humans, lifeguard and mom, were fitting a life jacket on a young human, a blonde boy. 

Sweat scent molecules travel across the surface of the water even outdoors on sunny days. I was born with a canine nose. The mother had a strong odor. Then a man showed up to sunbathe beside the pool. At times in the indoor pools I have gagged and had to leave. I have had to learn the nose blocking technique my husband taught me to use when cleaning the cat box.

One of my best swimming memories was when a lifeguard peeled an orange and the divine scent traveled across the pool. It made me want to give oranges to all lifeguards in advance of my swim.