Bushrod's name is Algonquin for "Canine of cylindrical shape". He attained his girth not through hand-outs, but by raw jealousy. He cannot bear to see Rufus eat from their shared food bowls, so he stands sentinel, eating kibbles until he is sick, fat, and of cylindrical shape. Meals are not even covered in gravy, or sugar, or butter, or steak - only the sauce of Rufus's hunger.
Bushrod eyes Rufus's every foray toward the dog food bowls with suspicion, but seldom now does he move suddenly unless it's truly necessary, due to the weight of the fat pressing in on his organs; His power is so diminished, he can now only bare his teeth in jowl-quivering menace. But no one is scared anymore - except that he will hurt himself.
He even forgets his own position, flaunting his weakened monarchy by lounging on his back in the beaming sun, all four legs held aloft in a pantomime of defeat - as Rufus looks on with that "lean and hungry look".
The stroke that's ending Bushrod's reign is swinging far more quickly than he can move to counter it.
The King is Fat. Long live the King.
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