Uša
An encomium
This is a brief encomium to my dog, Uša.
As I write these words, he is under my desk, lying on his bed, with one paw on my foot. He just finished chewing on a bone and now is going to take a little snooze. He does this every day as I work at my desk.
When I am gone overnight, it has been reported, he and Bea both lie on that bed under my desk and wait for me, for an outrageously long time. Eventually they come out, but exclusively for something essential, like a meal or to go outside.
Uša, like all dogs, is a special guy.
He’s a big puppy: two years old but still entranced by all forms of play. A ball, preferably a bouncing one, commands his attention. He brings me his “greenie,” which was Ande’s greenie, but she wouldn’t mind his daily attempts to get me to play tug-o-war with him with it. That is one tough greenie.
Here’s a video of the greenie in the middle of the action.
He’s a sensitive pup: I joked that he was like Sir Robin when he was a puppy, but he is still sensitive. His sensitivity has evolved. He no longer runs for the front door when a noise startles him in the yard, but he does put our walk on pause at a strange noise to make sure we’re not in danger. He heads for the bed under the desk whenever I say the word “vacuum.” He files an appeal, in the form of licking, if I use the wrong tone of voice with Bea, whose sharp barks out of the blue can provoke a response from me. (Thanks to both of them, I’m improving my responses.)
Here’s a video of Uša’s bravery against a gang of clearly unruly turkeys.
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I don’t care what Pangram may say, I write every word and I am a human being.
Turkeys are ruffians. Better to keep an eye on them.
So sweet!