sky king

Husband is reading Jeffrey Steingarten’s It Must Have Been Something I Ate.

Steingarten has a labrador retriever named Sky King. When I learned this, I told Husband that I’ve always wanted a German Shepherd just so I could name him (or her) Sky King.

After more discussion, after a prolonged period of confused silence, Husband explained to me that the original Sky King was a cowboy who flew an airplane. He was not a dog.

Lassie: dog.
Rin Tin Tin: dog.
Sky King: cowboy.

I have no idea why I thought Sky King was a dog. Really, when you think about it, the name makes no sense whatsoever for a dog, since dogs don’t actually fly.

Not without assistance, anyway.

Husband gently suggested that maybe it was common to mix up the concepts of, say, Rin Tin Tin and Sky King. It was a nice try, but I doubt very much that anyone else had trouble distinguishing a cowboy action hero who flew a plane with…a dog.

I’d blame the drugs I’m on, but to be honest I’ve thought Sky King was a dog my entire life – or at least as far back as I can remember, so that excuse holds no water.

Speaking of drugs, I’m rather nauseated today so I’m going back to bed. Reviews of the many, many delightful documentaries I’ve been watching when I feel up to it.

In the meantime, um, keep watching the skies?