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Profile of the month: Kramer

Kramer is a White Rocks Rooster. He was hand raised by a lady in Silver Spring - allowed in the house, and treated like a member of the family. Of course, roosters do like to crow and it isn't the most popular sound in a suburban environment, so Kramer came to live here instead, with many tears shed by his first mother and human brother as they said goodbye.

Kramer's many admirable attributes include:

• Companionability. He will wend his way through the house to my office, and sit on the couch to keep me company while I work at the computer.
• Vocalization. Although he does do the rooster "crow" routine at odd hours of the early morning, Kramer also has a very wide range of vocabulary. When I laugh, he makes a loud laughing sound. When there is grain or bits of bagel (he prefers the multi-grain type with butter) he clucks several octaves in approval. If Ti-gba the bad puppy is after him he shrieks like a woman. And when he's being held and stroked, he almost purrs. Who knew that roosters had such a wide vocabulary?
• Dancing. He can beat the best break dancer any day with his head and feet moves. He is one cool dude. Of course, his best dance is the famous "chicken dance".
• Guarding the property. Kramer has taken on both pit bulls and electricians from Allegheny power, fending all off with fearless calm. (I'm not kidding)

The occasional annoyance such as leaving droppings in odd places and harassing the ducks is made up for by his absolute charm. He accompanies visitors when they tour the farm, walking with them the whole route and explaining things from his own point of view. He lays in the arms of adoring ladies, cooing when they touch his face, comb, and wattles. He'll sit on the arm of a young man like a proud falcon, and stay completely still so that children can feel his soft feathers. Kramer is truly a renaissance rooster.