Fur

Fur is Bud Harris’s dog, a dependent companion whose brief appearances reveal a practical tenderness in Harris’s otherwise guarded life. When Harris prepares to leave for Grace Poe’s home, Fur returns to him slowly and reluctantly, then leans against his leg. Harris recognizes that the dog understands what his call means, and chooses to take responsibility for where Fur will spend the night.

Identity and Daily Life

Fur belongs to Harris’s home routine. Harris calls him in before going out; Fur’s hesitant return and physical closeness establish their familiarity without suggesting that the dog is simply eager to obey. The scene gives Fur a small but distinct presence: he approaches, presses against Harris’s leg, and remains close while Harris decides what to do.

Protection from the Coyotes

Harris considers letting Fur run outside, but the coyotes nearby have grown larger and more numerous. Although neighbors take shots at them and Harris owns a .22-250 rifle capable of reaching four hundred yards, he refuses to kill them, regarding them as animals with a will that demands consideration. His respect for coyotes does not outweigh his responsibility for Fur’s safety: despite presenting staying in or fending for himself as the dog’s choice, Harris nudges him indoors and closes the door. The gesture makes clear that the choice is not really Fur’s to bear.

Companionship and Narrative Role

Later, as Harris weighs whether to turn back from the road to Grace Poe’s trailer, he imagines the alternative of spending the cold night at home, where Fur would be glad to see him. The thought places the dog within Harris’s private habits of solitude and comfort, even as Harris continues toward Grace. Fur’s limited appearances do not establish a larger independent plot, but they reveal the ordinary attachment and care that accompany Harris’s more consequential decisions.