Leukie, the Lion-Hearted

834 words


I am not a veterinarian, circus trainer or zoologist. I am, however, aware and grateful for the animals in my life. I appreciate the beauty, intelligence, character, and comedy associated with animal behavior and personality. Presently, my household includes three red-headed boys, several cats, and one white dog. This story is about my white dog named Leukie.

Leukie’s life and times are some of the most heartwarming and rewarding. She provides belly laughs, tears, and astonishments. Her personality is often more complex than the average human. Leukie’s life depends on excellent eccentric behavior. At least that is the way I see it.

My childhood experience with critters was limited to “frou-frou” Pomeranians and Siamese cats. I did not know that animals possessed personality beyond where they sat on one’s lap.

My white German shepherd and yellow lab cross was born on Valentine’s Day. She came to me on my birthday in April. Leukie was six weeks old. Right away, Leukie launched into my failing and lacking education by facing down my landlady at the front door of my apartment. The puppy sat on her haunches daring the landlady to pass. The grin on Leukie’s face didn’t melt the landlady’s heart as it did mine. She was not impressed and promptly evicted my family. We planned to move anyway. We moved a little earlier than planned.

I was in love with the golden-eyed, sloppy-grinned, fleet-footed but clumsy white puppy.

This dog, Leukie, loves a good romp up and down the hills of her property with floppy ears flapping and long legs pumping. She runs everywhere and even invents reasons to run. The railroad right of way is adjacent to her property and the trains provide a good excuse for her to run. She believes she will catch every train that passes. I do not know what she will do with the one she catches, but she continues the chase.

Leukie loves her boys. She invented a game just for them although the boys think they created the game for her. Leukie uses the happy-faced dog, feathery-tail wagging, ball in mouth trick. A boy (doesn’t matter which one) throws a ball, Leukie runs to fetch the ball, runs the ball back to the boy, runs circles around the boy, and runs away with the ball. Boy chases dog. And so on, and so forth.

I am not sure how many mature adults can converse with their animal friends, but I do. Leukie has lots to say, and she expresses herself very well. When I do my chores on my property, trimming trees or burning branches, Leukie listens while I talk to her. She is always ready with a slap of her tail or cocked head. Usually, though, Leukie is the one speaking with insistent eyes, lolling tongue, and loud barking. Mutual respect for our individual communication styles makes it hard to distinguish master from canine.

Leukie takes on a very human personality at bedtime. Risking a cliché, “for better or worse,” (sound familiar?), she sleeps with me. She reminds me of past companions. For instance, when she dreams, I am sure she chases every rabbit in the field, running through the trees, deer hopping the bushes, all for that long-eared prize. Like most strange bedfellows (hairy faces and all); she is kicking, scratching and pushing me to the edge. (Of the bed and my mind)

When I try to make room for myself, she grudgingly moves and growls. The real similarity with past companions comes when she jumps out of bed, and moves haughtily to the living room couch, leaving me with the entire bed to myself. I often wonder if she thinks she is hurting my feelings.

Gentle moments with Leukie begin with smiling eyes and wide-mouthed grins. These times begin with shared hugs and a tailbone scratching. She buries her face in my lap, which is my cue to scratch the ears vigorously. If I attempt to stop prematurely (in her opinion) her insistent paw gently reminds me until I give up and keep on scratching.

Leukie’s sweet-tempered personality changes drastically and reverts to a more primitive behavior the minute I leave my property or car unattended. As property protector and watchdog, she instinctively becomes menacing. Sloppy grins and laughing eyes evaporate.

For example, on one overcast evening, Leukie and I were walking back to our motel room from the riverfront park. A strange gentleman walked with uneven steps towards us with his hand out asking for money. Leukie went into protective auto-pilot putting herself between me and the man. She was intently staring and barring her teeth without growling, but with a definite message.

I believe the dog would give her life for my property and my family.

Leukie is a full-valued dog. I dislike calling her just a dog because she is so much more than that. She is companion, workhorse, guardian, babysitter, and friend. I take pride knowing that Leukie, the Lion-Hearted is on duty in whatever capacity she is needed.