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Cock-A-Doodle-Doodler

July 3, 2012

Thanks to my neighbor Tom Augherton, on Sunday I went over to Betsy's Chicken Farm and bought a little rooster for my 9 hens. Tom assured me that another neighbor, Muffy, misses my previous roosters who used to serenade our neighborhood with cock-a-doodle-dos.

Unfortunately, the little sucker was not welcomed with friendly kisses when we placed him in the coop (he's pretty small). The two biggest—and bossy—hens came right over to him, puffed up and proceeded to bonk him right on the head with their beaks. He has been running ever since. For the past two days, when he sees me coming out to feed he flies to the door, climbs up to eye level on the chicken wire and starts peeping, "Take me out of here! These bitches are gonna kill me!"

Against my better judgement, I opened the door and he hopped right out and attached himself to my leg. I hobbled back into the studio and debated what to do. I decided to sit down and start a painting. Well, the feisty little booger jumped right into that scene:

Not content to watch me paint, or perhaps cocky about his own skills, the little Van Gogh proceeded to jump into painting with both feet:

He was curious but he had a definite eye for getting into the painting.

Plus he is crazy for that brush and pecks at it incessantly. And he'd probably continue pecking at it until the cows come home, but I had to go back to work.

I know this is totally nutty, but I took him to the office. Carole heard him peeping as soon as I hit the door and the little booger spent most of his time in her office.

The little rooster who could.

Last night, after dark, I snuck him out and put him on the roost with the other hens. The idea being that the chickens will wake up and think he has always been there (or, so the theory goes).

Not true. When I came out this morning he was running for his life and when he saw me, this time he squawked "Daddy! Daddy!"

Here is his first attempt at painting. Of course it has his distinctive footprints across the top and there is definite CS tinted palette (chicken s##t), but it has promise.

Cock-A-Doodle-Noodle #2

I don't think he's ready for a gallery show, but I am going to call around.

Now, to name this little talented cock. Over the past 48 hours I have called him:

• Mick Jagger

• Thor (the Viking leg warmers)

• Van Gogh

• Rooster Bozeburn

• Cock-A-Doodle-Doodler

Not sure any of these are worthy. What do you think?

"Would a rooster by any other name crap so much?"

—Old Vaquero Question

Comment by anthony martin on July 3, 2012 at 10:25am: Bob,

Think he has any potential for doing True West illustrations?Since you adopted him how about naming hime Cocko Bell?Maybe he'll live up to his name and becomw hot stuff.

Comment by Bob Boze Bell on July 3, 2012 at 10:26am: Cocko Bell is pretty damn funny, Anthony. I salute you Zane Brother.

Comment by Eric James on July 3, 2012 at 11:30am: Sam Peckinpaint...if he crosses advances into cinematography.

Comment by anthony martin on July 3, 2012 at 11:49am: Bob,

I Have a young cat whose birthday fell on Nov.23(still another crazy Sag in the House),the same as the actor Boris Karloff,whose real name was William Henry Pratt.Young Bill's full name is William Henry Catt,Which suits him to a T.Carol's nickname for me is"Daddy Cat"(we have four) which kinda sounds like a collaboration between Faulkner,Tennessee Williams and Hanna-Barbera.

Comment by Wolfgang on July 4, 2012 at 3:26am: Hey Bob . . . . whut a great tale to fine at "True West" at 3 something in the morning,.... . . . :) I await hearing further developments.

Comment by Robert Fiorent on July 4, 2012 at 6:45am: He's so cute! I would have called him, Rodney - named after the rooster on uncle Jesse's farm in Dukes of hazzard.