Things around here are a might different than most places. Folks get up of a morning, move around their home doing what they do . . . kids, coffee, morning news, whatever. Around here, the first thing I’m liable to be greeted by is a cock named Roo. As I stumble out of bed I hear him crowing. Me and the dogs gotta do business, so we rush toward the front door and there he is – head thrown back in full throttle crowing. When he’s finished, he juts his head forward and peeks through the door’s full length glass, hoping his wake-up calls are noted. (And to think, the old man wants a curtain put up to that glass!) I pop the door open for the dogs, then trot back to where the magazines are.
Every hen Roo ever had is gone, so this sweet, beautiful rooster is always looking for something to care for. Last fall, he was contented with his extended family surrounding him. He’d follow me around the yard, or take a nap with the old man up on the long porch. He got really great at scrabble. (Better’n Hank, even.) But as the season grew to a close, coats and hats replaced shorts and Tees. We weren’t spending much time outdoors and old Rooroo fell into great loneliness again. It was about this time I noticed a relationship forming with Dillon, the Golden Retriever . . . .
Roo began spending most of his time outback with Dilly. This actually made me feel better because I was so worried a fox would get him too. It didn’t matter that Dillon was a dog – he was a friend when the old rooster needed one. When the snow got so deep that Roo couldn’t tramp outback, Dillon would go visit him. When Dillon takes a nap, Roo will stand guard, watching for predators that might get his present charge.
This morning, the temperature was a balmy 57 F. Roo stood at back slider looking in, waiting for the old man to turn on the TV. I opened the door a foot or so, allowing him to wander into the kitchen for a visit. Dill followed. I made toast. Bear smelled it and came. Casper the cat, too.
“One for you.”
“One for you . . . EASY now!”
“Roo, here’s a piece.”
“Dill, don’t steal from the cat.”
I didn’t get a sniff . . . .
Rural Woman, here. Till next time -
PS: Later, I’m going to challenge Roo to a game of checkers!
ahhh…now I want a rooster!